Get outdoors and discover the beauty of the Southern Appalachian Mountains with these easy hikes near Asheville, NC.
Bridal Veil Falls
Located inside Dupont State Forest, Bridal Veil Falls was made famous on the big screen with movies like The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans. The roughly 4-mile, loop hike offers a gentle scenic stroll through the woods leading to a 120-foot waterfall. The rushing falls cascade down exposed granite rock, putting on quite the show. Use the Fawn Lake Access area to begin the hike.
Catawba Falls Trail
Even closer to downtown, Catawba Falls Trail is another easy hike near Asheville that offers a beautiful waterfall. Hikers will find a gentle series of mini waterfalls tumble over 100 feet into a pool of water at the end of the 1.5-mile trail (one way).
Max Patch Trail
Coined the “the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail,” the Max Patch Trail is one of the more distinguishing landmarks in Southern Appalachia. A “bald,” meaning a hilltop without a single tree, the prominent feature can be seen from almost anywhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the top, enjoy views of Mt. Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the south. There are two routes to the top. One is a direct-to-the-top route at 1.4 miles, one way. Or the 2.4-mile loop.
For more hiking near Asheville be sure to visit our activity page here.
Asheville Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville showcase more than 600 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, vines, and grasses native to the Southern Appalachians. The gardens provide 10 acres of gardens, walking trails, and picnic areas, perfect for a day trip, just minutes from our cabins at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds.
Pink Beds Trail
Found within the Pisgah National Forest, the Pink Beds Trail is a gentle, almost entirely flat, path that follows the sounds of rushing creeks and a canopy of trees for a peaceful hike. Fun fact: the trail gets its name for the abundance of pink wildflowers that show themselves in mid-to-late June. The loop is 5.3 miles long, but little to no elevation gain.
Asheville Urban Trail
Not all hiking or walking has to be amongst the trees. Take the Asheville Urban Trail for a unique easy hike through the streets of Asheville. The walking tour tells the story of the city’s past, with 30 landmarks highlighted along the way. Do as little or as much of it as you want, but the trail starts at Pack Place at the corner of Biltmore Avenue and Patton Avenue.
Mountains-to-sea-trail
As one of our favorite easy hikes near Asheville, NC, The Mountains-to-sea trail spans roughly 1,000 miles from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on North Carolina’s outer banks along the coast. The trail connects to ten state parks, three national forests, and is North Carolina’s longest marked footpath. Of course, completing all 1,000+ miles isn’t easy, but you can easily do a little at a time, making your hike as long or as short as you want.
Enjoy access to the Mountains-to-sea-trail right from your front door when you stay at Asheville Cabin of Willow Winds. Our property rests on acres of wooded landscape with trails leading to the Blue Ridge Parkway and MTST. Rent a cozy one-bedroom cabin for two or bring the entire family and stay in one of our larger three-bedroom cabins and enjoy the best of hiking in Asheville just steps away.
