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EXPLORE MADISON COUNTY
J
ust minutes from Asheville, Madison County is rife with
opportunities for enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Within the Pisgah National Forest, the Appalachian
Trail and numerous other hiking trails provide a wide range
of opportunities for hiking. Other outdoor activities include
whitewater rafting on the French Broad River, bicycling on scenic
and lightly-traveled mountain roads; horseback riding on trails
that provide unique vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains; and
fishing in clear mountain streams and rivers. Madison County also
offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as the option for
a soak at Hot Springs. For a less strenuous but equally enjoyable
way to see the county, there are plenty of self-guided driving
tours to take you through the back roads to see both the history
of Madison County and its majestic vistas.
Hike Max Patch:
Take in the most
beautiful view on the AT in Madison County.
On Max Patch, you are at 4,629 feet and, on a clear
day, have a 360- degree panoramic view of the Great
Smoky Mountains to the south and a glimpse of Mt.
Mitchell (at 6,684 feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi) to the east. If you have encountered crowds
when you have visited National Parks, you will be
pleasantly surprised by this spot.The bald was cleared
and used as pasture for grazing sheep and cattle in the
1800s. Today, it’s a 350-acre tract of open land where
you can hike the loop trails, enjoy a picnic or the wildflowers.At night, it’s the perfect spot for star-gazing.
Ride A Zipline: What better way to
experience the beauty of the surroundings and
the thrill of shooting through the tree tops in the
scenic natural setting found in Madison County. French
Broad Adventures’ zipline course has 10 lines ranging
in length from 75 to 1000 feet long with rappels and
short hikes offering great views of the beautiful 26
acres of land.
Bailey Mountain Bike Park:
Or fish on the mighty French Board River with its
smallmouth bass, catfish and muskie.
Horseback Riding:
Ski The Wolf: When you ski or snowboard
at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort you’ll enjoy unmatched
views, crisp mountain air, well-groomed slopes and
some new places to explore at the closest ski resort
to Asheville. Wolf Ridge Ski Resort offers 22 runs and
two quad lifts, a terrain park, night skiing and much
more. There is something for everyone from