Western NC Hikes
 

Will have reason to be in the Asheville and Hendersonville area this spring, and looking for suggestions on good hikes. I'm a relatively skilled hiker, and like 1/2 or full day hikes that can be physically challenging.

Of course, an incredible vista can make up for physicial challenge if need be.

Willing to drive 1 1/2 hours into the mountains for the right hike.

You may want to try something in the Blue Ridge Parkway area.

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/recreate.htm

Check out hikes in the Nantahala and Pisgah NFs.

Check out a Mast General Store location when you are in the area (and check it out online before you come).

Dont forget to visit Chimney rock park.PAul

Linville Gorge (north of Ashville towards Boone) is your place. Incredible bush whacking if that's your thnig. Here's a blurb from one web site. "Hikers ... be wary of copperheads and timber rattlers. Camping is permitted in the gorge, but permits are required from May 1 through October 31. It is always a good idea to check in with the rangers and let them know you are going into the gorge. The gorge is a rugged and wild place and visitors should treat the wilderness with respect. We highly recommend a stop at the Linville Falls Visitor Center, open April 15 - November 1 9AM-5PM. The center is well stocked with maps, and the rangers are a great source of "inside" information about the gorge... Linville Gorge Wilderness is one of the most remote, most rugged geographical locations in the entire Eastern United States."

Also, one of the most scenic sections of the Appalachian Trail runs thru NC. Incredible in the Spring when Rhodedendrun are in bloom. Awesome day hike. Back in the 80'ies my wife even saw wild horses up there! Not many folks know they're there. A web search will help you find what you need.

Steve

Oh yeah, I second Mast General Store and Chimney Rock. If you go to Mast, check out the Candy shop just up the road. A hoot with every old time bit of sweetness known.

Steve

stevesmoker -

You're info is great. Thanks for the tip on the Linville Gorge. Regarding the Appalachian Trail, I see that it has a very long run in North Carolina. Can you help me narrow down roughly where you thought it was a nice hike in the spring? Maybe a town or highway as a reference point?

Thanks.

A segment of the AT would definitely be a good choice. Check the AT guidebook for complete descriptions of the sections.

Definitely check out portions of the AT. I'm not a trail hiker, but have done day hikes / drives to areas along the trail. Two beautiful vistas are Roan Mountain in Tenn (about an hour drive from Asheville) and Max Patch, probably also an hour. You could park at either area and hike north or south on the trail. Rhododendrons bloom at different dates depending on the elevation. Roan Mountain has balds and huge rhododendron gardens. It's a neat place. And it's not too far from Linville, you could explore both in the same day.

Roan Mtn area for the AT is rated one of the most scenic sections of the entire trail. It's been a while since I was there and I kinda forget trailhead/exits but you can check on line. Awesome area. As for me, Roan Mtn and Linville Gorge are a toss up. I think a section of the AT will be a solid day hike with lots of up and down. Might be easier to get in/out of Linville in a day. If you are bushwhacking in LG, there are occasional snakes that sun on rock ledges. Just use reasonable caution. I've never seen them in areas frequently traveled.

Steve

Oh yeah - better vistas on the AP - especially when you cross the balds, you can see forever. Hmmm... that may tilt my scales that way the more I think about it. Linville is a thickly forested gorge (as the name implies) with more bluffs. It's incredible for shear wilderness. If you want a scenic wandering drive, the Parkway is beautiful, however it is just that, a scenic drive. You will not make good time on it.

Steve

Steve

The Mt Pisgah area of the BRP has some interesting areas.

http://main.nc.us/naturenotebook/hikes/mtpisgah.html

Let's give this post one last hurrah before it fades into obscurity. Thanks everyone.

Hazle, I am topping this in case Leah or litespeed is around. They might have some suggestions.

How many miles could you do in a day hike on the AT with average NC/Tenn up & down terrain anyway? I'm SO not a hiker so I can't even judge. If you let me know miles i could look up some in/out spots that i know of and tell you if it would be doable in one day.