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.