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Asheville Climbing Adventures Asheville Running Adventures
Corner Rock Boulder: Big, steep and concentrated: this boulder is like a little crag of problems. Perched above a creek in the majestic Pisgah National Forest this boulder is a true gem. Generally speaking, the boulder has a few warm-ups in the V2 to V5 range, but the bulk of the climbing is concentrated on the harder grades that make this one of the best testpieces for boulders in the Asheville area. With a wide range of problems ranging from V8 to V12, this is a boulder that is perfect for the strongest climbers in the area looking to test their finger strength on one of the steepest blocks around. Directions From Asheville: Corner Rock is located ~ 35 minutes north of Asheville in the Big Ivy area of Pisgah National Forest. From Asheville, take I-26 W to Barnardsville and head east on Barnardsville Hwy until you see Dillingham Rd on your right. Follow Dillingham Rd into Pisgah National Forest and past a gate for ~ 1.7 + miles to a sharp
bend at Corner Rock Creek with two parking areas. Hike 200 yards up the trail to the boulder.
Looking Glass Rock( Brevard): Looking Glass Rock features enough routes to occupy many a full day of adventure. Steeped in history and set in the most beautiful part of the Pisgah, the massive granite dome includes climbs of all varieties and grades, providing challenges for first-time novices and experienced veterans alike. Tucked away beneath the 500-foot-tall North Face of Looking Glass Rock are a handful of classic boulder problems well worth a visit. The boulders are located 1 / 4 mile before the base of the cliff on both sides of the trail when approaching the North Side. Climbmax Climbing Guides specialize in guided adventures for all regardless of their previous experience, age, or abilities, making them a great fit for a first-time trip up Looking Glass Rock or other local climbing areas. Directions
from Asheville: Take I-26 E to Exit 40. Turn right on NC 280 towards Brevard for 16 miles to Hwy 276. Turn right on Hwy 276 N into the Pisgah NF. Go 5.3 miles to left at the State Fish Hatchery sign. Continue straight on the gravel road to the fork, then bear right 1.2 miles. The first parking area is for the South Face, the second for the Nose Area, and the third for the North Face.
Cedar Rock( Pisgah, Brevard): With a vast difficulty range that accommodates all skill levels and over two dozen varied climbs, Cedar Rock is a popular yet typically uncrowded climbing destination. The dome’ s main wall features classic climbs like Cedar Pie and Toads R Us, requiring delicate face climbing, but also has numerous shorter climbs in the vicinity. At about 1,000 feet higher in elevation than Looking Glass Rock, air temperatures are typically cooler, and the views are stunning. Directions from
Asheville: Take I-26 E to Exit 40. Turn right on NC 280 for 16 miles to Hwy 276. Turn right on Hwy 276 N into the Pisgah National Forest. Go 5.3 miles to left at State Fish Hatchery sign. Continue straight for about 3 miles on gravel road past the road to Looking Glass Rock parking area. Turn left onto Gloucester Gap Rd. and head 2.2 miles to parking.
Smoky Mountain Adventure Center: Asheville’ s only climbing gym with sport climbing features a 34-foot high climbing wall and bouldering gym- as well as cold beer served up between burns. Directions from Asheville: SMAC is located at 173 Amboy Road between the French Broad River Park and Carrier Park.
Stony Knob( Blue Ridge Parkway): The Stony Bald Boulders are on the south face of Stony Bald, NC at over 4000’ and up the hill from the Shut-in Ridge trail. Generally, the area features overhanging rock with positive holds. There are two sets of obvious boulders along the trail. The second cluster holds the
highest concentration. Directions from Asheville: Head south to the Blue Ridge Parkway and travel south past MilePost 402 and look for parking at a gravel road on the right( Hwy 151). Cross the parkway and turn left onto the MTS Trail for about a half mile to the boulders on your left.
Mountains to Sea( Parkway North MP 380): This trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway on the edge of Asheville offering trail runners easy access to extensive forest runs. From the Folk Art Center, head north for a steady climb up to the Haw Creek Overlook, or head south for an easier out and back over rolling terrain. Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 E to Exit 7 / Tunnel Rd./ US 70. Take Tunnel Rd./ US 70 E( left off the exit) for about 3 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take a right off Tunnel Rd./ US 70 E to get on to the Parkway. At the stop sign turn right onto the Parkway. The Folk Art Center is about 1 / 4 mile on your left. Park there and look for the white Mountains to Sea trail blaze.
Shut In Trail( Asheville): This 16.3-mile trail starts near the N. C.
Arboretum, and follows a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. With tough climbs and the long one-way mileage, most users opt for an out and back option, going whichever distance suits them. If you have a way to leave a vehicle, then there are plenty of access points along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including at the end of the trail at the Mt. Pisgah parking lot. Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 33, NC 191 / Brevard Rd. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles to the Bent Creek Park lot on the left located beside the river. The trail starts by following the path through the bridge that will take you under the road. Once you cross the street, stay left and you’ ll see the trailhead.
Historic Montford( Asheville): Starting from the northern edge of downtown, the historic neighborhood of Montford is packed with centuryold arts and crafts architecture as well as the Riverside Cemetery, a popular running destination with car-free paths passing by the gravesites of Asheville’ s most prominent citizens, including Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry. Directions from Asheville: This run is just north of downtown so a great parking spot is at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce which is located at 36 Montford Ave. right off I-240 Exit 4C.
Lover’ s Leap Trail( Hot Springs): Part run, part steep hike, the
Lover’ s Leap Loop follows the Appalachian Trail from downtown Hot Springs, along the French Broad River, and climbs the ridge to Lover’ s Leap rock overlooking the river and the surrounding mountains. The beautiful view is well worth the effort. Take Lover’ s Leap Trail back down the ridge for a 2-mile loop. Directions from Asheville: Take 1-26 W / US 19 / 23 N to Weaverville then US 25 / US 70 W to Hot Springs. If you park in town head north on Bridge Street and cross the bridge over the French Broad River. Be sure to follow the white Appalachian Trail blazes. After crossing the bridge step over the guard rail and follow the path to the street below. Continue to head up river following the AT blazes until the trail takes a sharp turn up the mountain.
Run The RAD: The flat terrain of the French Broad River valley combined with miles of greenway paths and broad shoulders along the roads make for an ideal running location. The Wedge / 12 Bones parking area at The Foundation makes for an ideal starting and finishing location. We like the loop that explores the greenways to Hominy Creek Park and beyond for a quick out and back warm-up before staying on the West side of the French Broad along the greenway to New Belgium and looping back via River Road or a combination of side roads.
Directions from Asheville: From downtown Asheville, take I-240 W to Exit 1-B( Farmers Market, Hwy. 191). Turn left at the light and pass over I-240. Turn left at the very next light( I-240 E / I-26 W) and stay in the right lane. Take Exit 1-C( Amboy Rd.) and continue to 5 Foundy Street, Asheville, NC.