The following are ten of our favorite hikes in western North Carolina. They include a variety of
scenery and terrain. The level of difficulty varies from easy to difficult.
(1) Lake Powhatan: A pleasant 1.75 mile stroll around the Lake - Easy
Lake Powhatan sits in the woods, surrounded by the mountains. The peaceful lake can be found
in Bent Creek, a national forest area so close to Asheville that residents treat it like their local park.
On summer weekends, you can expect to see quite a few people sunbathing on the beach or
splashing in the swimming area. A few benches and a new dock offer a nice place to sit and enjoy
the pleasant setting. Anglers cast for stocked trout and birders look for woodland songbirds and
the occasional migrating waterfowl.
From early May through late October, the Forest Service charges a $5 entrance fee to the Lake
Powhatan Recreation Area within Bent Creek. By walking a couple hundred yards from the nearby
Hard Times Trailhead, however, you can avoid paying the fee.
On the trail: From the Hard Times Trailhead, walk past the gate and down the gravel road to an
intersection with another gravel road. Take a right and begin walking around the lake. Soon, a
wooden bridge crosses Bent Creek, which feeds the lake. Follow the trail to the beach, then cross
the beach to meet the trail again. The trail loops around to the gravel road that leads back to the
Hard Times Trailhead.
(2) Mount Mitchell -- The highest peak east of the Mississippi 1 mile Hike - Easy
It's not hard to earn bragging rights to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Walk about five
minutes from the parking lot and you're there! Climb the stairs to the top of the observation tower,
and you're rewarded with 360-degree vistas.
If that sounds too easy, get in some more exercise and a brief education on the high-altitude
forests. The Balsam Nature Trail veers off the summit path and travels through rare boreal forests
that established themselves during the last Ice Age.
Of course, this forest type can only exist because of the cooler temperatures way up high. Bring a
jacket to fend off the chilly winds that sometimes blow.
On the trail: From the parking lot, simply follow the signs to the summit. On the way back, take a
right on the Balsam Nature Trail, which loops back to the parking lot.
(3) Craggy Gardens -- Beautiful rhododendrons, grand views 1.5 miles - Moderate
If you've come looking for rhododendron, the Craggy Gardens may be one of your best bets. The
pinkish-purple blossoms complement the grand views quite nicely. The beech forests, laden with
ferns, mosses and wildflowers, create an enchanting setting. The hike from the picnic area may be
short, but travels up a moderate incline. You should plan on spending some time poking around
the woods, taking pictures of the old barn, and soaking in the views from the stone overlook.
On the trail: From the picnic area, follow the Bear Pen Gap Trail for 0.2 miles uphill. When the
forest opens up to meadows by the old barn, you'll meet up with the Craggy Gardens Trail. Take a
right on the Craggy Gardens Trail and follow it to the overlook. Return the way you came.
(4) Graveyard Fields -- Waterfalls and blueberries - 3.4 miles - Moderate
For a somewhat scary name, this place sure is beautiful. The fields are a wonderful place to see
wildflowers, pick blueberries, play in the stream or look at waterfalls. Some visitors think the
Yellowstone Prong creek was named for the national park, but the label actually comes from the
yellowish tint to the local rock.
There's also some controversy about the name Graveyard Fields. Some say the charred tree
trunks from the fire of 1925 look like tombstones. Others say the name predates that fire, and
comes from the mounds of dirt that were created from decomposed trees blown down in a massive
storm 500-1000 years ago.
This trail has some uphill hiking, earning it a "moderate" rating.
On the trail: This trail is well-marked and easy to follow. From the parking lot, head down the
paved trail to the bridge that crosses the Yellowstone Prong. Turn right at the fork to visit Second
Falls. After viewing these waterfalls, backtrack to the intersection and head in the opposite
direction, to some meadows and Upper Falls.
(5) Black Balsam Loop -- High-altitude meadows 5.1 miles - Moderate
There's something to be said about the great forests of the Appalachian Mountains, but hikers
sometimes can't see through the trees. Not so on the "balds," open meadows found on some
ridge tops. The balds of Shining Rock Wilderness are among the best, and some of the easiest to
drive to from Asheville.
They are also unique for the remnants of spruce-fir, or boreal, forests. These fairy-tale forests,
with pine needle-covered floors, contrast nicely with the open meadows along this hike.
On the trail: From the trailhead, hike down the Ivestor Gap Trail through some scattered spruce-fir
forests. At Ivestor Gap, take a right on the Art Loeb Trail and hike across the balds. A few
unofficial trails veer off in different directions, but the area is so open that it's difficult to get lost.
Just continue along the ridgetop, and soon you'll see the parking lot below. Near the end of the
balds, a spur trail on the right returns to the trailhead.
(6) Big East Fork -- Swimming holes and trout fishing - 6.8 miles - Moderate
If you like water, this is your trail. The East Fork of the Pigeon River is a wide mountain stream
with deep swimming holes and many small waterfalls. Hikers can dictate their own distance on this
out-and-back path. Parties often just hike one mile to some popular bathing spots. The farther in
you hike, the fewer people you will see and the more beautiful the river valley becomes.
The Big East Fork Trail travels for 3.4 miles to the Bridges Camp Gap and Greasy Cove trails.
The first mile follows easy, flat terrain.
On the trail: From the trailhead, follow the gravel path for about 100 yards to a junction. Take a
left for the Big East Fork Trail. Return the same way.
(7) John Rock -- Look upon an icon - 4 miles - Moderate
Looking Glass Rock is an icon of the region: a big, solitary rock rising out of the forest with bare,
gray walls and a forested top. It's no surprise the hike to the top has become popular, even
crowded.
To escape the crowds and enjoy equally great views that include the icon itself, we suggest the
hike to the top of John Rock, just across the valley. It's a little steep in sections, but fairly short.
Here's a quick geology lesson: John Rock and Looking Glass are both "exfoliation domes," huge
pieces of rock shaped by several interacting forces. About 390 million years ago, magma deep
within the earth cooled and crystallized. This rock was thrust upward and weathering and erosion
stripped the earth above it. Without the weight bearing down on it, the rock expands outward,
helping to create the dome-like shape as weathering and erosion continue.
On the trail: From the Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education and fish hatchery, follow the eastern
section of the Cat Gap Loop Trail for 1.3 miles to the signed junction with the John Rock Trail.
Take a right on the John Rock Trail and make the 0.7-mile ascent to the open ridge top. Return
the same way.
(8) Cold Mountain -- The movie-star mountain - 10.6 miles - Difficult
This hike has always been a locals' favorite, but has become even more popular thanks to the
best-selling book and popular movie of the same name. The rocky, exposed summit offers great
views, making the trip even more rewarding.
Be advised, however: this trip is for experienced hikers in good physical condition. The shorter
route from the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp gains 2,800 vertical feet in 5.3 miles. Two
alternate routes cover less steep terrain: The Art Loeb Trail via the Ivestor Gap Trail covers 13.6
total miles and the Art Loeb Trail from Forest Service Road 816 measures 16.8 miles round trip.
Both alternate routes allow hikers to see the Shining Rock Ledge, with its rock outcroppings, and
offer outstanding views along the way. The Ivestor Gap Trail version skips a small portion of the
Art Loeb Trail to cut some distance, sacrificing some great views from Black Balsam and Tennent
Mountain.
On the trail: From the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, take the Art Loeb Trail up the switchbacks
all the way to Deep Gap. At Deep Gap, take a left on the Cold Mountain Trail. From the Ivestor
Gap Trailhead, take the Ivestor Gap Trail to Ivestor Gap. Take a right at the junction to join the Art
Loeb Trail, then take a left on the Art Loeb Trail to reach Deep Gap and the Cold Mountain Trail.
To include the Black Balsam and Tennent, follow the Art Loeb Trail all the way from Forest
Service Road 816 to Deep Gap.
(9) Dupont State Forest - Waterfalls and More - 4 miles - Easy
People visit Dupont State Forest for the lakes, mountain biking trails and scenic viewpoints, but
most of all, they come for the waterfalls. This particular hike takes in three waterfalls in a relatively
short distance: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Trail maps can be viewed at each kiosk,
and the developed trails are well marked.
On the trail: First, visit Hooker Falls, on the same side of the road as the Hooker Falls access
area. From the parking lot, walk downstream along the Little River for 5-10 minutes. Next, return
the same way, and cross the road to reach the Triple Falls Trail. Walk down the stairs and
continue about 10-15 minutes to Triple Falls. Finally, head up the hill from the Triple Falls viewing
area and walk down the High Falls Trail, near the bas of Triple Falls. Follow High Falls Trail for
0.75 miles to the final cascade on this tour. Return the same way.
(10) Mount Sterling -- A Smoky Mountains Firetower Classic - 12.2 miles - Difficult
Despite all of the great hiking right outside Asheville, many visitors can't resist the urge to drive to
nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just one hour away. The Mount Sterling hike has
become a favorite for several reasons.
First of all, getting to the trailhead does not require driving on the congested Newfound Gap
Road, the main corridor of the park. Instead, hikers sneak into the northeast corner, driving barely
10 minutes off Interstate 40 before they hit the trailhead.
The Baxter Creek Trail slowly meanders up the side of Mount Sterling Ridge, passing by
cascading creeks with mossy rocks and tunneling through dense groves of rhododendron. When
hikers finally summit 5,842-foot Mt. Sterling, a firetower greets them. Climb the stairs for
spectacular views from this historical relic, built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
On the trail: From the Big Creek ranger station, head south through the picnic area on the gated
gravel road that leads to the Big Creek and Baxter Creek trails. The Baxter Creek Trail heads off
to the left. This trail leads directly to Mount Sterling, with no trail junctions.
scenery and terrain. The level of difficulty varies from easy to difficult.
(1) Lake Powhatan: A pleasant 1.75 mile stroll around the Lake - Easy
Lake Powhatan sits in the woods, surrounded by the mountains. The peaceful lake can be found
in Bent Creek, a national forest area so close to Asheville that residents treat it like their local park.
On summer weekends, you can expect to see quite a few people sunbathing on the beach or
splashing in the swimming area. A few benches and a new dock offer a nice place to sit and enjoy
the pleasant setting. Anglers cast for stocked trout and birders look for woodland songbirds and
the occasional migrating waterfowl.
From early May through late October, the Forest Service charges a $5 entrance fee to the Lake
Powhatan Recreation Area within Bent Creek. By walking a couple hundred yards from the nearby
Hard Times Trailhead, however, you can avoid paying the fee.
On the trail: From the Hard Times Trailhead, walk past the gate and down the gravel road to an
intersection with another gravel road. Take a right and begin walking around the lake. Soon, a
wooden bridge crosses Bent Creek, which feeds the lake. Follow the trail to the beach, then cross
the beach to meet the trail again. The trail loops around to the gravel road that leads back to the
Hard Times Trailhead.
(2) Mount Mitchell -- The highest peak east of the Mississippi 1 mile Hike - Easy
It's not hard to earn bragging rights to the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Walk about five
minutes from the parking lot and you're there! Climb the stairs to the top of the observation tower,
and you're rewarded with 360-degree vistas.
If that sounds too easy, get in some more exercise and a brief education on the high-altitude
forests. The Balsam Nature Trail veers off the summit path and travels through rare boreal forests
that established themselves during the last Ice Age.
Of course, this forest type can only exist because of the cooler temperatures way up high. Bring a
jacket to fend off the chilly winds that sometimes blow.
On the trail: From the parking lot, simply follow the signs to the summit. On the way back, take a
right on the Balsam Nature Trail, which loops back to the parking lot.
(3) Craggy Gardens -- Beautiful rhododendrons, grand views 1.5 miles - Moderate
If you've come looking for rhododendron, the Craggy Gardens may be one of your best bets. The
pinkish-purple blossoms complement the grand views quite nicely. The beech forests, laden with
ferns, mosses and wildflowers, create an enchanting setting. The hike from the picnic area may be
short, but travels up a moderate incline. You should plan on spending some time poking around
the woods, taking pictures of the old barn, and soaking in the views from the stone overlook.
On the trail: From the picnic area, follow the Bear Pen Gap Trail for 0.2 miles uphill. When the
forest opens up to meadows by the old barn, you'll meet up with the Craggy Gardens Trail. Take a
right on the Craggy Gardens Trail and follow it to the overlook. Return the way you came.
(4) Graveyard Fields -- Waterfalls and blueberries - 3.4 miles - Moderate
For a somewhat scary name, this place sure is beautiful. The fields are a wonderful place to see
wildflowers, pick blueberries, play in the stream or look at waterfalls. Some visitors think the
Yellowstone Prong creek was named for the national park, but the label actually comes from the
yellowish tint to the local rock.
There's also some controversy about the name Graveyard Fields. Some say the charred tree
trunks from the fire of 1925 look like tombstones. Others say the name predates that fire, and
comes from the mounds of dirt that were created from decomposed trees blown down in a massive
storm 500-1000 years ago.
This trail has some uphill hiking, earning it a "moderate" rating.
On the trail: This trail is well-marked and easy to follow. From the parking lot, head down the
paved trail to the bridge that crosses the Yellowstone Prong. Turn right at the fork to visit Second
Falls. After viewing these waterfalls, backtrack to the intersection and head in the opposite
direction, to some meadows and Upper Falls.
(5) Black Balsam Loop -- High-altitude meadows 5.1 miles - Moderate
There's something to be said about the great forests of the Appalachian Mountains, but hikers
sometimes can't see through the trees. Not so on the "balds," open meadows found on some
ridge tops. The balds of Shining Rock Wilderness are among the best, and some of the easiest to
drive to from Asheville.
They are also unique for the remnants of spruce-fir, or boreal, forests. These fairy-tale forests,
with pine needle-covered floors, contrast nicely with the open meadows along this hike.
On the trail: From the trailhead, hike down the Ivestor Gap Trail through some scattered spruce-fir
forests. At Ivestor Gap, take a right on the Art Loeb Trail and hike across the balds. A few
unofficial trails veer off in different directions, but the area is so open that it's difficult to get lost.
Just continue along the ridgetop, and soon you'll see the parking lot below. Near the end of the
balds, a spur trail on the right returns to the trailhead.
(6) Big East Fork -- Swimming holes and trout fishing - 6.8 miles - Moderate
If you like water, this is your trail. The East Fork of the Pigeon River is a wide mountain stream
with deep swimming holes and many small waterfalls. Hikers can dictate their own distance on this
out-and-back path. Parties often just hike one mile to some popular bathing spots. The farther in
you hike, the fewer people you will see and the more beautiful the river valley becomes.
The Big East Fork Trail travels for 3.4 miles to the Bridges Camp Gap and Greasy Cove trails.
The first mile follows easy, flat terrain.
On the trail: From the trailhead, follow the gravel path for about 100 yards to a junction. Take a
left for the Big East Fork Trail. Return the same way.
(7) John Rock -- Look upon an icon - 4 miles - Moderate
Looking Glass Rock is an icon of the region: a big, solitary rock rising out of the forest with bare,
gray walls and a forested top. It's no surprise the hike to the top has become popular, even
crowded.
To escape the crowds and enjoy equally great views that include the icon itself, we suggest the
hike to the top of John Rock, just across the valley. It's a little steep in sections, but fairly short.
Here's a quick geology lesson: John Rock and Looking Glass are both "exfoliation domes," huge
pieces of rock shaped by several interacting forces. About 390 million years ago, magma deep
within the earth cooled and crystallized. This rock was thrust upward and weathering and erosion
stripped the earth above it. Without the weight bearing down on it, the rock expands outward,
helping to create the dome-like shape as weathering and erosion continue.
On the trail: From the Pisgah Center For Wildlife Education and fish hatchery, follow the eastern
section of the Cat Gap Loop Trail for 1.3 miles to the signed junction with the John Rock Trail.
Take a right on the John Rock Trail and make the 0.7-mile ascent to the open ridge top. Return
the same way.
(8) Cold Mountain -- The movie-star mountain - 10.6 miles - Difficult
This hike has always been a locals' favorite, but has become even more popular thanks to the
best-selling book and popular movie of the same name. The rocky, exposed summit offers great
views, making the trip even more rewarding.
Be advised, however: this trip is for experienced hikers in good physical condition. The shorter
route from the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp gains 2,800 vertical feet in 5.3 miles. Two
alternate routes cover less steep terrain: The Art Loeb Trail via the Ivestor Gap Trail covers 13.6
total miles and the Art Loeb Trail from Forest Service Road 816 measures 16.8 miles round trip.
Both alternate routes allow hikers to see the Shining Rock Ledge, with its rock outcroppings, and
offer outstanding views along the way. The Ivestor Gap Trail version skips a small portion of the
Art Loeb Trail to cut some distance, sacrificing some great views from Black Balsam and Tennent
Mountain.
On the trail: From the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, take the Art Loeb Trail up the switchbacks
all the way to Deep Gap. At Deep Gap, take a left on the Cold Mountain Trail. From the Ivestor
Gap Trailhead, take the Ivestor Gap Trail to Ivestor Gap. Take a right at the junction to join the Art
Loeb Trail, then take a left on the Art Loeb Trail to reach Deep Gap and the Cold Mountain Trail.
To include the Black Balsam and Tennent, follow the Art Loeb Trail all the way from Forest
Service Road 816 to Deep Gap.
(9) Dupont State Forest - Waterfalls and More - 4 miles - Easy
People visit Dupont State Forest for the lakes, mountain biking trails and scenic viewpoints, but
most of all, they come for the waterfalls. This particular hike takes in three waterfalls in a relatively
short distance: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. Trail maps can be viewed at each kiosk,
and the developed trails are well marked.
On the trail: First, visit Hooker Falls, on the same side of the road as the Hooker Falls access
area. From the parking lot, walk downstream along the Little River for 5-10 minutes. Next, return
the same way, and cross the road to reach the Triple Falls Trail. Walk down the stairs and
continue about 10-15 minutes to Triple Falls. Finally, head up the hill from the Triple Falls viewing
area and walk down the High Falls Trail, near the bas of Triple Falls. Follow High Falls Trail for
0.75 miles to the final cascade on this tour. Return the same way.
(10) Mount Sterling -- A Smoky Mountains Firetower Classic - 12.2 miles - Difficult
Despite all of the great hiking right outside Asheville, many visitors can't resist the urge to drive to
nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just one hour away. The Mount Sterling hike has
become a favorite for several reasons.
First of all, getting to the trailhead does not require driving on the congested Newfound Gap
Road, the main corridor of the park. Instead, hikers sneak into the northeast corner, driving barely
10 minutes off Interstate 40 before they hit the trailhead.
The Baxter Creek Trail slowly meanders up the side of Mount Sterling Ridge, passing by
cascading creeks with mossy rocks and tunneling through dense groves of rhododendron. When
hikers finally summit 5,842-foot Mt. Sterling, a firetower greets them. Climb the stairs for
spectacular views from this historical relic, built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
On the trail: From the Big Creek ranger station, head south through the picnic area on the gated
gravel road that leads to the Big Creek and Baxter Creek trails. The Baxter Creek Trail heads off
to the left. This trail leads directly to Mount Sterling, with no trail junctions.
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| Local Hiking Trails |
