Appalachian Trail
This national scenic trail begins in Georgia and stretches
across 2,144 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridge lines to
end in Maine. Along the way, it traverses the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park and parts of Western North Carolina.
For more information on the trail, and day hike suggestions,
contact the Appalachian Trail Conference. > 828-254-3708
Blue Ridge Parkway
One of the country's best-known scenic highways is also the
starting point for hiking trails that traverse the Parkway.
Popular spots include Craggy Gardens, Graveyard Fields and
its beautiful waterfalls, Mount Pisgah, and Mount Mitchell,
the highest peak east of the Mississippi. > 828-298-0398
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
The country's most visited national park, offering a variety
of trails for hikers of any age or skill level. Trail maps
and assistance are available at the Park Visitor Centers. >
423-436-5615
Pisgah National Forest
Much of Western North Carolina is covered by national
forest, making it a hiker’s paradise. For maps or
information on great places to hike, call the National
Forest Service. > 828-257-4200
Mount. Mitchell
The eastern United States highest mountain. Experience a
wonderful drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Asheville
to the Mount Mitchell State Park. A great place to have a
picnic and walk on the surrounding trails.
Private
Parks
Chimney Rock Park and
Grandfather Mountain.
Cradle of Forestry
George Vanderbilt was instrumental in founding the first
forestry school in America when he hired Carl Schenck to
succeed Gifford Pinchot as manager of Vanderbilt's
100,000-acre forest. Known today as the Cradle of Forestry
in America, this national historic site operated by the U.S.
Forest Service is located about 20 miles southwest of
Asheville off U.S. Highway 276 in Pisgah National Forest.
Visitors will find a number of hiking trails in the area.
Open April 20 through October. 828-877-3130
Urban Trail
A self-guided walking tour in downtown Asheville, tracing
the footsteps of Asheville’s historic past. The trail
highlights the results of the economic boom between
1880-1930, when the railroad came to the mountains and
brought wealth and influence. Twenty seven "stations" are
highlighted in this continuous 1.6 mile loop, from churches
and buildings to streets and landmarks.
North Carolina Arboretum
A 427-acre facility with a Visitor Education Center,
state-of-the-art greenhouses, beautiful gardens, and walking
trails. 828-665-2492.
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Max Patch
This is a great hike outside the Little Creek Community in
Madison County. From the top of this mountain you can see
the Great Smoky Mountains and the Foothills of East
Tennessee. There is a large open area that is great for
flying kites.
Carl Sandburg Home
This historic site consists of a 22 room house, barns,
sheds, rolling pastures, walking trails, two small lakes,
ponds, flower and vegetable gardens, and an orchard. This is
where Carl Sandburg felt the peace and solitude he required
to write.
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Land of the Waterfalls
Visit over 250 majestic waterfalls throughout Transylvania
County. We're in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains where
the air is cool, the waters are pure, and the welcome is
warm!
Gorges State Park
The newest addition to North Carolina's state parks is right
here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gorges State Park has over
80 inches of rain a year making it a temperate rain forest.
The plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock
walls, and concentration of rare and unique species makes
this a wonderful park to visit. |
