Asheville-Area Short Hike Possible?
 

My husband and I will only be in Asheville for two nights - really only one full day. We would like to enjoy a small taste of the surrounding natural area, as well as time to explore the city itself. Chimney Rock looks fabulous, but we would feel short-changed with a short visit.

Any recommendations for a short hike close to the city? Thanks, Ashville experts!

Molly, I am topping this for litespeedchick and leahinsc, our resident Asheville area experts. In case they don't see this post, check with the ranger station on the Blue Ridge Parkway and they can recommend some good hiking options based on conditions and your abilities.

You could search for Blue Ridge Parkway and find some jump offs. Craggy Gardens is just north of Asheville and has some nice hikes and falls. Just outside of Asheville to the north is a park whose name escapes me that has nice hikes. South of Asheville you could go to Mt Pisgah and hike, but you can sometimes be above the clouds there.

Thanks to both of you. I googled Craggy Gardens, and it looks perfect. We'll be in Asheville the end of this month, so of course we'll miss the flower display, and it may be cold, but it still sounds good. cmcfong, we are active forty-somethings who love to hike, and can tackle most trails. You're right, though, weather conditions can be a factor, so any alternative hiking suggestions are welcome. Thanks again! :)

Molly, another suggestion is to check out Arboretum (just off Blue Ridge Parkway) which is very accessible from anywhere in Asheville. There are many miles of hiking trails, then you can get on Blue Ridge Parkway, drive south and go on a short and very easy hike/walk to Devil's Courthouse. That's if this section of the parkway is not closed in the end of March. Anyway, the views from the top of the Devil's Courthouse are incredible. On the way you can stop at the Graveyard Fields with an easy walk to nice waterfalls. My sister lives in that area but we visit often from the Adirondacks and love the area for endless hiking opportunities and a long season for this type of activities. Craggy Gardens is a great place for hiking but this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be probably closed until sometime in April. You need to plan visiting this place in the end of June when rhododendrons are blooming. The access to Pisgah Mt. may also be closed. It is a short trail but strenuous hike and you need at least a half a day. I would leave Chimney Rock for another visit. Once you pay $14 admission you would want to spend there a full day.

There is a free admission to the Arboretum on Tuesday.

If everything else fails get on route I-40 West, then exit at I-26 East and get off at the airport exit. Take route 280 to Brevard, then route 276 through Pisgah National Forest all the way to the Parkway. If the parkway is closed just park your car near the gate and walk as long as you want on the parkway in either directions. If you turn North that is to Pisgah Mt., if you turn left this directions goes towards Graveyard Fields and Devil's Courthouse. You probably won't be able to get to any of these places but walking on the parkway when there are no cars is a special treat. Hope this helps.

Wow - thanks for the great information, Pat! I'm printing it all out. We will be in Asheville on a Tuesday. We're from Vermont - practically neighbors!

Molly, have a wonderful time. I am headed to Asheville for a week in late March and look forward to some great hikes, restaurants and shopping. Too much there for just two days, so you better start planning your return now!

Perhaps we'll meet on the street or on a trail, cmcfong! Late March for us, as well. We have a friend who recently moved from the Asheville area, and he raved about it. I just know that we'll wish we had more time there. You have a wonderful time too!

Hello neighbor
Molly, we are going to be in Asheville in the end of March as well. Did your friend move from or to the Asheville area recently? Maybe we'll see you on a trail somewhere.

Another thing, where are you staying? Downtown Asheville? If you want I can give you more detailed directions to Arboretum and other places I listed in my previous post.

Pat, we are staying a bit outside of town, at a Days Inn near the Ashland Mall March 28-30.

My friend moved from Asheville to Arizona - sorry. Actually, he displyed and sold ethnographical artwork in the city, but lived outside of the city. Tragically, another person who moved to the Asheville area and posted frequently on this board, was killed months ago in a car accident. Her Fodor's name was "Wildflower", and she loved her new home.

When will you be in Asheville, Pat?

Question: What is the parking situation like in downtown Ashville?

I assume you are asking Molly, Pat. But just in case you meant me, I am staying at the Grove Park. It is a business trip, but I will be sure to get out on the trails while there, so I will wave!.

That is so cool, cmcfong! I will be asking everyone I meet if they are "Fodorites" - sure to get some strange looks! :)

Happy Trails!

Maybe we should have a secret wave?

Sure - we can originate "The Fodor's Wave", lol! Perhaps a long sweep of the hand? "Podors" would be easier - hard to do much with the initial F without appearing a lunatic... I'm getting goofy - too much planning and packing!

If I remember, I'll wave my brightly-colored bird buff. Wouldn't it be fun if it actually worked?

I'll be looking for the bird buff.

What's the bird buff?

Have you watched the reality-tv show? "Survivor"? A buff is a scarf-like article of clothing that can be worn in different ways - very handy. Mine is brightly-colored and has birds on it.

Thanks. I seldom watch tv.

Molly2 -

I am stunned to hear about Wildflower. She seemed so sincerely enthusiastic about life in Flat Rock...and was so eager to help others. How unfair, and tragic.

For your trip, I second Pat's suggestions...both the Arboretum and Devil's Courthouse/Graveyard Fields.

A word of warning. We did the exact thing Pat mentions about a month ago. Drove up 276 from the entrance to Pisgah in Brevard, all the way to the closed parkway and parked there (large parking lot). On our return about 4 hours later, the passenger window had be smashed and my purse stolen. This is the SECOND time we have been smash & grab victims in Pisgah. They only take what can be reached from the smashed window (alarm does not go off if you don't unlock the door)...so we now carefully put everything in the back. Don't let this scare you off...there is little serious crime in the area, but there is apparently quite a rash of these incidents.

If we were to have unusual weather for late March and the parkway were still closed, another option besides the arboretum would be various trails near the Ranger Station in Brevard(only about 30 min from Asheville). There's a pretty loop called Coontree if you don't mind a strenous climb. Another beautiful spot is Slate Rock Cove/Loop off Yellow Gap Road in the North MIlls River section of Pisgah. There are a million great choices, if you narrow down how close you want to be to the city, how long a hike you want, etc. I can provide better details.

Parking in downtown is do-able, but sometims takes a little driving around. You can always pay if you get frustrated.

Check out the second listed hike at: http://www.romanticasheville.com/hiking.html

It's just past the Craggy Gardens visitor center and is a pretty short (maybe 20-minutes each way) hike/stroll up to the pinnacle. Absolutely stunning views at the top. One of my favorite easy hikes anywhere. Just be sure to follow the directions on the site to get to the exact trail. Have fun.

Molly and cmfong, I will be on look out for your waves. We can have a mini GTG!

Molly, are you staying on Tunnel Road near Asheville Mall or on Ashland Av. and Patton? I am arriving in AVL on March 30th from BTV via Newark

Litespeed_Chick, it is sad this happened in this beautiful setting. I guess you learned your lesson a hard way. Need to tell my sister who parks there often. We too enjoyed Coon Tree trail but found it not too difficult if y hike clockwise in order to avoid one very steep section. There are many small cascades and waterfalls along this trail but not many vistas. Can you give me an idea how to get to Slate Rock Cove/Loop off Yellow Gap Road in the North Mills River? Would love to hike this trail on our next trip to the area. After all we recently purchased 3 acres in Mills River.

Hi, All! We just returned (yesterday) from our 3 1/2 week trip south. We had a great time in general, but we loved,loved,loved the Asheville area! So much so, that we're planning on revisiting withn the year.

A lady from the visitor's center talked us into Chimney Rock, and I must say, for those who plan on hiking there this time of year, if you have the option, wait! A trail that supposedly has spectacular overlooks (the one that has the movie scenes) was closed, and no real colors on the trees yet. I did wave my buff, but I doubt that any of you guys were hiking here! Just got a few strange looks!

We stayed at the Days Inn on Tunnel Road (only $44 plus tax, very nice and clean, huge free breakfast). The first day we arrived early enough to explore downtown Asheville. It was a bit rainy and overcast, so we decided to save hiking for the next day. Parking, even with kayaks on our van, so low clearance, was relatively easy and inexpensive. There are lots here and there that allow you to pay by the hour. After enjoying the historic buildings and craft shops, we ate at the wonderful Early Girl eatery. My husband and I agreed that this was the most imaginative cooking we'd experienced on our trip. And quite reasonable.

As I said, though we enjoyed Chimney Rock, we should have saved this for another trip. Also, it was quite crowded. We did have a couple of hours to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway - it's spectacular! We were oohing and ahhing at every pull-off! That evening we ate at Sorrento's, a hole-in-the-wall type reaturant that someone on Fodor's suggested. It's on Tunnel Road, just down the road from our hotel. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but it's beautiful and romantic inside, with a gurgling fountain, low lights, and roses on the table. We arrived rather grubby from hiking, but were graciously recieved by the lovely Italian woman who owns the place and a very personable waiter. The food was reasonable and delicious. The chef is the woman's 23 year-old son! They even brought out a large, free glass of wine after I managed to break a carafe of wine they had on the table to sample! I was horrified, but they were so nice, the woman fussing over me with band-aids! Next time we vist, I intend to dress up a bit - it's so romantic!

I am already planning our trip back - perhaps in the Fall. If any of you are returning, let's retry our "Fodor's Wave"! :) i'm dying to try all of the suggested hikes! And thanks for the warning about parking. I guess no place is immune from crime.

Pat and cmcfong, how were your trips?

ttt

Oh, Molly, so glad you had a great visit. So sorry I wasn't there to return the wave. Do start planning your return. Follow the wonderful counsel on this board and have a great visit.

Thanks, cmcfong - I already am! I'll keep that buff handy...

Pat - sorry I missed your question about Pilot Cove/Slate Rock earlier.

If you don't already have one, get the big waterproof/tearproof Pisgah map. Then head straight up Yellow Gap Road from Mills River Parking lot, go past the Laurel Mtn Trailhead (although that's a beautiful hike when the mountain laurel is in bloom). And park at the next trailhead to your right. Hike a couple of miles and you will see a place where you have to cross a creek on a log or rocks. There is a bootleg trail to the left that does not cross the creek. Don't take it or you will hit Laurel mountain after a very steep slog.

Instead cross the creek. Not long after that, you come to the top of a rise where there is a 90 degree right turn and the trail you are on goes straight. Take the right, and after a few more miles you will come to the amazing rocky lookout. That trail continues back down and intersects with the trail you had turned off of. You go left at that point and it takes you back out to the gravel, turn left again and hike back to your car. This would be a longish hike, now that I think of i think of it. I would guess close to 10 miles. Don't do it without a map, because the trail names are tricky. If you didn't want to do a loop, you could start at the 2nd trailhead to the right after Laurel Mtn. and follow my directions backwards , then double back at the rock.

I hope that's not too confusing.

Hubby and I drove to Max Patch yesterday and hiked up to the top of the bald. It's an easy walk, about a mile from the parking area to the top. It was a pretty day for the drive and the weather was gorgeous. Max Patch is an easy half-day from Asheville, and you could combine visiting Hot Springs / Marshall / Weaverville / points north for a full day of exploring the area.

Max Patch is 10-ish miles from Hot Springs, but is only accessible by gravel roads. The Appalachian Trail runs across the top of the bald. We stopped at the Pisgah Forest ranger station in Hot Springs and picked up directions to Max Patch from the box outside the office, otherwise, we'd never have found it (some turns are well-marked, others aren't).

If you have kids, take a couple kites with you -- that seems to be a popular activity atop the mountain. Take a blanket and a picnic lunch with you, sunscreen, binoculars, a hat and even a good book. It's probably a pretty good stargazing spot, too, but I'm not brave enough to drive up there in the dark. I put some photos up at get-glowing.blogspot.com.

Nice blog, Rae. I am sorry about your kitty.

Yes, Rae - enjoyed your blog.I am a fellow kittie-lover! Thanks for the additional Ashland area ideas.

Thanks you guys. We lost Vlad last year ... he was such a special kitty! He had anemia. Blood transfusions and all kinds of stuff ....

BUT BACK TO THE TOPIC -- The Cataloochie Valley would be another good day trip from Asheville. My guess is that it's an hour and a half to two hours from Asheville given the distance and then the gravel roads to get there. But if you get to see the elk, it's totally worth it! Cataloochie Valley is part of the GSMNP.

Oops! Meant to say "Asheville", not "Ashland", which you all know is in Oregon. I'm tempted to turn our van right around and return. We're thinking September might be a good month in terms of weather and avoiding foliage crowds. I can totally see why so many move to the Asheville area. Those elk would be fun to see!

lol Molly -- there is also Ashland in Kentucky, so I was putting on my Ashland / Huntington thinking cap. ;) My brother-in-law is a monk in an Orthodox monastery not too far from Huntingon.

Litespeed_Chick, thanks. I have the map and I'll be checking out your detail directions sometime today.

Molly2, happy to hear you had such a nice time in Asheville. Of course, you didn't have enough time. Hopefully your next visit is going to be longer. Maybe we all can get together on your next visit. I'm still here in Cedar Mountain to the end of this week. We are interviewing builders and working on designing our house. Went hiking in the Arboretum yesterday, on Saturday to John Rock and tomorrow planning on hiking in the Shining Rock area if the parkway is open. Too bad you did not get a full benefit of the Chimney Rock. We drove there last October or November and asked how many school buses were visiting that day. After we heard there were already seven buses we turned around and went hiking to Craggy Gardens. Chimney Rock Park is a private park and very small. We didn't want to hike on crowded trails. After paying $14.00 (?)admission we wanted to spend there all day without too many kids running around.
We hiked in Pisgah Forest, DuPont Forest, the Arboretum, Biltmore Estate, the Green River area near Saluda in October and found a number of trails without any people on them. We tried to avoid weekends and that is when trails get crowded but any time of the year is a great time to visit this area. I would say the end of October is even better time for visiting after all leaves are gone in Vermont.

rae, that's interesting! I didn't know that there is an Ashland in Kentucky. I'm sorry you lossed Vlad. My husband and I pet-sit and work with several animal organizations. Cats are probably my favorite creatures! :)

Pat, if you are building, you must really like Asheville! We're already talking about moving!

So, is late October still warmish and is there foliage on the trees? Yes, it would be such fun to get together! Our next visit will be for 1-2 weeks, getting longer the more I read the hiking tips you all have!

You hit the nail on the head, Pat. It's the crowds that most lessen the enjoyment of exploring Chimney Rock. We must have hit it on school vacation, because there were tons of families.

Yes, late October is normally still mild fall weather, possibly even Indian Summer. Nothing is guaranteed, though. You could definately get morning temps below freezing if there is a cold snap.

The leaves are considered peak color on the 3rd weekend of Oct., but this can vary widely. They won't be completely off the trees until late Nov or so.

Molly, check this link out for more ideas
www.hikingthecarolinas.com

Yup, no guarantees when it comes to weather! Litespeed chic, is it terribly crowded mid-late October? I'm kind of aiming for a less-touristy fring-season, with still potentially nice weather (like March?)!

Pat, thanks for the great link!

We hiked in the end of October last year and on some of the trails there were maybe 3-4 couples and two groups of 4-5 hikers. Only on trails in the Shining Rock Wilderness area and Graveyard Fields there were more hikers on weekend but it was never crowded. We passed them, they passed us, we often exchanged comments about trails or sunrise or weather and then we were alone again. We loved seeing wild flowers, especially prolific gentian along those trails and so late in the season. There were a couple trails in the area where we did not see another soul all day long. You need to keep in mind that most of tourists who come during this popular season drive along the parkway, stop in overlooks, take a short walk to Devil's Courthouse or the falls in the Graveyard Fields and continue to Looking Glass Waterfalls. These are places were you find many cars on weekends, otherwise you won't definitely have crowds on hiking trails that are longer and more challenging. The area of Pisgah national Forest is huge and has endless hiking trails with enough breathing space and solitude for those who hike. I remember wearing t-shirt and shorts. Molly, I hope this helps.

It does help, thanks! Lol - it sounds just like Vt.! Or anywhere for that matter - I think I read somewhere that most people don't walk beyond a certain distance of their car...

Wildflowers in late October? Now that would never happen in Vt.!

It must be so exciting to be designing your house!