Asheville, NC - Where to go?!

**razorguy** · 05-29-2018, 20:46

So I'm overwhelmed by the amount of hiking and backpacking available near Asheville and I'm throwing in the towel to ask the experts (aka - hopefully you).

My wife and I are going to be in Asheville near the end of June and are wanting to explore the city but also spend a couple nights in the woods while we're there.

That being said, our plan is to spend at least two nights, maybe three, in the woods. We'll only have one vehicle so a loop is preferred but an out and back is fine if the hike is worth it. Also we would be open to a couple of different shorter loops for two different overnights if two nights on the same trail wouldn't work out as well. The obvious places seem like Pisgah and Dupont but as I mentioned, there seems like so much to do there that I don't know where to start or what trails to look at to make a feasible loop for a couple nights.

We're going to get an Airbnb for a night or two in the city after our backpacking adventure to shower and explore the city (mainly breweries so any recommendations for which ones to visit are also appreciated).

Asheville has been on our to do list for a while and as close as it is to us, is severely overdue so we are trying to make the most of it, though if it's as cool as it sounds, we will be back often.

Thanks in advance!

**Vanhalo** · 05-29-2018, 21:15

if its a clear day/night.....Nantahala Outdoor Center, to the top of Cheoah Bald (about 1.5 hours away). 8.1 miles up

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**Caminante** · 05-30-2018, 07:27

You're going to be close to a lot, that's for sure.

The Smokies are close, and worth it IMO. Great loops can be made <1hr from Asheville @ 1) Big Creek/Mt Sterling, 2) Cataloochee (might see elk), and 3) Deep Creek. If you do Deep Creek or NOC/AT as Vanhalo mentions, and breweries are on your agenda, you can hit Balsam and Innovation in Sylva on your way back to Asheville to get an early start. Innovation has a great food truck, too.

Also close by is Shining Rock right off the BRP, and the drive up past Mt Pisgah is a great Asheville activity in and of itself. You can make some nice loops in SR by combining the Art Loeb with side trails. When you come out, you could spend the day heading down 276 to take in Cradle of Forestry, Sliding Rock (also serves as a post-trip rinse), and Looking Glass Falls. That will put you in Brevard where you could try Brevard Brewing Company, and stop in at Sierra Nevada for a east-coast SN beer on the 30 minute ride back to Asheville.

Mt Mitchell is reasonably close and you can do an out and back to Deep Gap, but that's really just an overnight trip. That would mostly be to bag some Southern Sixers.

**cmoulder** · 05-30-2018, 09:19

Just for the heck of it, and for something totally different, maybe check out Biltmore while you're there.

**razorguy** · 05-30-2018, 09:42

Definitely some good options to look into. A friend of mine is moving to Brevard soon actually but unfortunately only knows the area for mountain biking so he wasn't able to offer me any advice for backpacking. I'll look into these! Thanks!

**dakotaross** · 05-30-2018, 10:15

NOC is a little far. For that same amount of time, about the farthest I would drive is Max Patch, which would probably be my first suggestion. Its a bald, so no hanging on it, but you can find some good spots in the first 0.25m Nobo on the AT after you reenter the woods.

Otherwise, Graveyard Fields and the Black Balsam / Shining Rock area are great, but very popular. If you're going on a weekday, then I would take advantage of this area when the crowds are lesser and you can actually get a parking space. This would be a nice drive on the Blue Ridge Pkwy as well.

There is also Sams Gap on the AT, a shorter drive north on interstate 26, and take a hike up the Big Bald and back.

There are other areas, too, along the Blue Ridge Pkwy that might be a nice pull off and hike. The Mountains to Sea trails runs along the pkwy in much of that section around Asheville. Once you get into Asheville, there likely will be some good info on where to go more locally.

Personally, my favorite hike in Asheville is the microbrew pub crawl.

**snwcmpr** · 05-30-2018, 16:01

A few of my favorites.

Ok, a few hikes:
Black Balsam / Shining Rock (Blue Berries)
Graveyard Fields (Waterfalls)
(Blue Ridge Parkway)
Mt Mitchell
Waterrock Knob
Max Patch
Cat Gap Loop
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/...loop-trail-120

Day trip into Cataloochee Valley. (Partly gravel road)
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cataloochee.htm
There are several hikes there.
The Boogerman Trail.
(Be aware we have had a lot of rain recently:
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvis...proadclose.htm)

Folk Art Center on the BRP
https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/folk-art-center/

Food, places we like:
Gypsy Queen for Lebanese.
https://gypsyqueencuisine.com/

Early Girl, Sunny Point, Tupalo Honey Cafe for b-fast.
https://earlygirleatery.com/
http://sunnypointcafe.com/
https://tupelohoneycafe.com/

White Duck Taco.
http://whiteducktacoshop.com/

Chai Pani for Indian street food.
http://www.chaipaniasheville.com/

Mela for Indian.
http://www.melaasheville.com/

Packs Tavern for burgers and more.
https://packstavern.com/

**razorguy** · 05-31-2018, 10:48

Originally Posted by snwcmpr

A few of my favorites.

*snip

Thanks for the links. That will be a huge help. Got the Airbnb booked for our brewery hopping so now I need to go through all these trails and pick a few. Thanks!

**Gqgeek81** · 05-31-2018, 11:47

Originally Posted by snwcmpr

A few of my favorites.

Ok, a few hikes:
Black Balsam / Shining Rock (Blue Berries)
Graveyard Fields (Waterfalls)
(Blue Ridge Parkway)
Mt Mitchell
Waterrock Knob
Max Patch
Cat Gap Loop
https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/...loop-trail-120

Day trip into Cataloochee Valley. (Partly gravel road)
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cataloochee.htm
There are several hikes there.
The Boogerman Trail.
(Be aware we have had a lot of rain recently:
https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvis...proadclose.htm)

Folk Art Center on the BRP
https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/folk-art-center/

Food, places we like:
Gypsy Queen for Lebanese.
https://gypsyqueencuisine.com/

Early Girl, Sunny Point, Tupalo Honey Cafe for b-fast.
https://earlygirleatery.com/
http://sunnypointcafe.com/
https://tupelohoneycafe.com/

White Duck Taco.
http://whiteducktacoshop.com/

Chai Pani for Indian street food.
http://www.chaipaniasheville.com/

Mela for Indian.
http://www.melaasheville.com/

Packs Tavern for burgers and more.
https://packstavern.com/

You forgot biscuithead

Wherever you go, check on the local trail conditions first. The recent rains have done a number in several areas. Bent Creek is closed till this weekend, Mortimer Campground had a lot of damage, and I'm sure many of the backcountry trails have damage that hasn't even been discovered yet.