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Asheville Hiking Expert: Mast General Store 15 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC( 828) 232-1883 || www. maststore. com
Craggy Pinnacle( Parkway North MP 364): Located on the Blue
Ridge Parkway near Asheville, this is a moderate hike of around 1.4 miles total roundtrip. The hike begins at Craggy Dome parking area and heads up through changing scenery and a series of gnarled trees on a beautiful, rocky trail before gaining a beautiful view of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains after about half a mile. Hikers can continue on to find additional overlooks, including a grassy area with a bench, before heading on the stone summit for a 360-degree view. Directions from Asheville: Head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway for around 18 miles past the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to the Craggy Dome parking area. The trail starts on the left side of the parking lot behind the rock wall.
Mt. Pisgah( Parkway South MP 407.6): A steep hike with rewarding views, Mt. Pisgah is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway. This 3 mile round-trip hike takes hikers to the 5,721’ summit of Mt. Pisgah, which includes 360 degree views, a nice wooden observation platform, and the intrigue of exploring the mountain-top tower. Directions from Asheville: Access the Blue Ridge Parkway at the NC Arboretum off of Highway Highway 191, and head South. The parking lot will be on the left at milepost 407.6- head to the second lot at the back.
Hike Max Patch( Hot Springs): Beginning the hike at Max Patch, you’ ll be wowed by the 360-degree views from this 4,629 foot, 350 acre bald. Head north on the AT, as you wind your way toward Hot Springs. The trail is well marked with white blazes along the way with plenty of water sources along the trail – although, you will need to be prepared to purify. Get a feel for one of the area’ s most scenic stretches of the Appalachian Trail on this fun hike that can easily be an overnighter.
Directions: Take I-26W / US-19N / US-23N to exit 19A for US-25N / US-70W towards Marshall and Hot Springs. Take a left to continue on US-25 / US-70 heading toward Hot Springs. From downtown Hot Springs, follow Highway 209 for 7.3 miles to Meadow Fork Road( aka SR1175). Go 5.3 miles to SR1181. Follow SR1181 for 2 miles, and after it turns to gravel, take a right onto SR1182 at the top of the mountain. Continue on SR1182 for 3 miles to the Max Patch parking area.
Graveyard Fields Trail( Parkway South 418): A moderate 3.2-mile out and back hike through a high alpine valley with two picturesque waterfalls. Start the hike at the lower end of the parking area near the restrooms. Ready for more? Head to nearby Black Balsam and tackle Sam Knob. This 2.2-mile hike starts at 5,800 feet in elevation and ascends through a“ Canadian” ecosystem of evergreen forests and expansive meadows until it reaches the double peak of Sam Knob at 6,050 feet with 360-degree views. Directions: Head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 418 to Graveyard Fields Overlook. For Sam Knob, head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 420. Turn right on Forest Service Rd. 816 for 1.2 miles to the parking area.
Asheville Biking Expert: Liberty Bikes 1378 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC
( 828) 274-2453 || libertybikes. com
Green’ s Lick Trail( Asheville Mountain Biking):
With 2.5 miles of advanced single-track that drops 800 feet in a constant barrage of high berms and big jumps, Green’ s Lick is a popular local favorite and one of the best Asheville bike rides. If you’ re looking for a short ride around two hours, we recommend heading up Deer Lake Lodge, left on Wolf Branch, right on 479E, left on Ingles Field Gap, and stay straight at Five Points to North Boundary before bombing Green’ s Lick down. Head right on 479C and left on Lower Sidehill to complete the loop. The options for longer mountain bike rides at Bent Creek are nearly endless, so if you’ re in the mood for a full day of riding, you won’ t be disappointed by the abundance of fun trails at Bent Creek. We recommend heading by Liberty Bicycles to rent bikes, gear up and grab a map
for a full day of exploring. Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 2, NC 191. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Bent Creek Ranch Road and an almost immediate left on Wesley Branch Road. Continue about 2 miles. We like parking at Ledford Branch located by veering right on the dirt road just past the Hardtimes trailhead near the entrance to the campground.
Ride The Blue Ridge( MP 388 to MP 417): Roughly 27 miles of steady climbing on one of the most famous roads in America make this a mustdo ride for cyclists in western North Carolina. You’ ll pass several impressive overlooks, pedal through a handful of tunnels( bring lights), and cap off the ride with a view of Looking Glass Rock, a towering dome of granite deep in Pisgah National Forest. Stop into the Pisgah Inn to refuel before turning to enjoy the mostly downhill ride back to
town. Directions from Asheville: Head south out of Asheville on McDowell St./ US 25 S. This turns in to US 25 S / Hendersonville Rd. just past the Biltmore Estate. Follow this all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once on the Parkway, park anywhere and head south.
Kitsuma Mountain Bike Trail( Black Mountain): This ride is a 10 mile loop with close to 2,200 feet of elevation change. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, Kitsuma Trail is one of the most famous in the Asheville area. The ride starts with a serious lungbuster of a climb that challenges you with 14 switchbacks. Don’ t let the first painful 15 minutes get in your head-the next 5 miles consist of epic and sometimes steep rolling singletrack on the ridgeline that ends with a fast and furious downhill in to the Old Fort picnic area. Take the Point Lookout Trail( closed to cars) and savor the views of the opposing mountain you just conquered. If you’ re feeling fresh, drop in and do it all again or make your way to nearby Heartbreak Ridge, one of the area’ s longest downhill trails. Directions from Asheville: Take I-40 East for about 16 miles to the Ridgecrest exit( the exit just past Black Mtn). Turn left off the exit, cross bridge, then turn right at stop sign. Head about 1 mile to stop sign. Go straight and parking for trailhead is about 1 / 4 mile on your left.