Best 25 Hikes, Waterfalls Near Asheville, North Carolina

Best 25 Hikes, Waterfalls Near Asheville, North Carolina

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It’s great that there are so many terrific trails and waterfalls within an hour’s drive near Asheville, North Carolina...

… BUT it’s totally overwhelming to choose which one is best for you. 🤷

When I first moved here, I had to spend hours clicking through a bunch of different webpages and maps and apps in order to compare, plan and locate the places I wanted to hike. That’s why I created this easy and efficient list of trails and short, 360º trail videos.

All you need to see and know in one place: ashevillehikeswaterfalls.com

I’ve explored all of these areas myself and these are my favorite 25 trails with the BEST payoffs: wonderful waterfalls or amazing mountaintop, summit views.

This is the fastest and easiest way to plan your Asheville area mountain and/or waterfall hikes.

(More information and inks to AllTrails maps/directions for each below.)

This list is for you if:

• you need help narrowing down literally hundreds of hiking options around here
• you don’t have a ton of time
• you don’t want to drive too far
• you don’t want to get lost
• you are visiting or new to the Asheville area
• you don’t have much hiking experience (yet!)
• you are looking for a trail for a mixed group (age, ability, etc)
• you are looking for easy, safe & well maintained trails

There is something for everyone on this list including beginners, kids, families and some harder/longer hikes for those who want more of a challenge.


Here are some emojis to help you choose the trail(s) best for you:

👪  = Family friendly
💦  = Waterfall
⛰️ = Summit View
🚻  = Restrooms
🆓  = Free
💰 = Admission required for entry
🥾= Trail Length (Miles) + Difficulty
📍 = Location
🧭 = Direction from Asheville
🔵  = On or near Blue Ridge Parkway
🧺 = Picnic Area
❄️ = Best for Winter
🗺️ = Map/Directions Link
🌲 = Guided hike with yoga namasteinnature.com

🐕 All trails allow dogs on leashes EXCEPT for Pearson’s Falls.

Watch the 360º videos below to compare & preview the trails you want to visit and pick the ones that best suit your needs.


REMEMBER TO:
✅ Bookmark this page or ashevillehikeswaterfalls.com so you can easily access this list again
✅ Check the Blue Ridge Parkway Real Time Road Map and/or the NC National Forest Alerts to confirm if any areas are closed ⛔
✅ Save, screenshot or download the trail & directions maps on the AllTrails App BEFORE you start driving. You will most likely lose phone service while driving to the trailhead and while on the trail.
✅ Dress accordingly; temperatures in the mountains are usually 10º - 20º cooler than in town
✅ Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles

Download / Print a 1 page checklist

🧭  Southwest of Asheville:

1. Looking Glass Falls
👪  💦  🆓 ❄️ 🥾 0.3 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest, Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Looking Glass Falls is a very accessible roadside waterfall and swimming hole located on US Highway 276 North (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) in Pisgah Nation...

2. Moore Cove Falls
👪  💦  🆓 ❄️ 🥾 1.2 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest/Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Moore Cove Falls is a short, easy 1.5 mile roundtrip hike to a walk-behind waterfall. It's best viewed after a good rain. More info & directions:https://www....

3. Hooker Falls
👪  💦 🆓  🚻  ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Hooker Falls is a 12 foot waterfall and swimming hole in Dupont State Recreational Forest. This trail is very busy so I recommend visiting on weekdays instea...

4. Triple Falls + High Falls

👪  💦  🆓  🚻  🧺 ❄️ 🥾 4.4 Easy/Moderate📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

High Falls is an impressive 150 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. This trail is very busy so I recommend visiting on weekdays instead of we...
High Falls is an impressive 150 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. This trail is very busy so I recommend visiting on weekdays instead of we...
Triple Falls is a unique 120 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. This trail is very busy so I recommend visiting on weekdays instead of weeke...

5. Bridal Veil Falls (via High Falls/Visitor’s Center)
💦  🆓  ❄️ 🥾 4.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Bridal Veil Falls is a 120 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. Scenes from the Hunger Games were filmed here. More info, map & directions:htt...
Bridal Veil Falls is a 120 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. Scenes from the Hunger Games were filmed here. More info, map & directions:htt...

6. Wintergreen Falls
💦  🆓  ❄️ 🥾 3.1 Easy/Moderate📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW 
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Wintergreen Falls is a semi-hidden, off the beaten path waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. More info, map & directions:https://www.romanticashevi...
Wintergreen Falls is a semi-hidden, off the beaten path waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. More info, map & directions:https://www.romanticashevi...

7. Looking Glass Rock
⛰️  🆓  🥾 6.1 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Pisgah Forest/Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Looking Glass Rock is a somewhat challenging hike located on US Highway 276 North (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. ...
Looking Glass Rock is a somewhat challenging hike located on US Highway 276 North (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC. ...

8. Devil’s Courthouse
👪  ⛰️  🆓  🔵  🥾 0.8 Easy/Strenuous📍 BRP/Gloucester, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Devil's Courthouse is a short (but strenuous) hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina with amazing panoramic mountain views at the top. Trail length...

9. Black Balsam Knob
🌲 ⛰️  🆓  🚻  🔵  🥾 1.5 Moderate 📍 Pisgah Forest/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature

Black Balsam Knob is a moderate hike with a lovely view at the summit. Full trail video: https://youtu.be/qRkrzbMhJi8Trail length: 2-3 miles roundtrip (out &...

10. Sam Knob
⛰️  🆓  🚻  🔵  🥾 2.5 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Pisgah Forest/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Sam's Knob is a moderate hike with a lovely view at the summit. Trail length: About 2.2 miles roundtrip (out & back)Trail Difficulty: ModerateElevation: 6,04...

11. Graveyard Fields Lower Falls
💦  🆓  🔵  🥾 0.5 Easy📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Graveyard Fields Lower Falls is a somewhat easily accessible & family-friendly waterfall hike located near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (south of...
Graveyard Fields Lower Falls is a somewhat easily accessible & family-friendly waterfall hike located near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (south of...

12. Graveyard Fields Trail (Upper Falls)
💦  🆓  🔵 🥾 2.9 Moderate📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Graveyard Fields Upper Falls is a moderate waterfall hike located near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (south of Asheville just past milepost 418). ...

13. Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower
⛰️  🆓  🔵  🥾 1.5 Easy/Moderate📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

An easy hike to a terrifying, abandoned tower on top of a mountain in NC. Trail length: About 1.5 miles roundtrip (out & back)Trail Difficulty: EasyElevation...

14. Mount Pisgah
⛰️  🆓  🧺  🔵  🥾 5.3 Moderate/Strenuous📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

The summit of Mount Pisgah located both on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina offers spectacular, panoramic views!Full tr...
The summit of Mount Pisgah located both on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina offers spectacular, panoramic views! Trail ...

🧭  South of Asheville:

15. Pearson’s Falls
👪  💦 🚻  🧺 ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Saluda, NC 🧭S
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info

Serenery (Serene + Scenery) = Enjoy this 360 degree, VR video of gorgeous Pearsons Falls located near Saluda, NC. Hike NC with Me Virtual Hike: https://youtu...
Hike NC with Me! Pearson's Falls is a gorgeous 90 foot waterfall located on a privately owned trail near Saluda, NC. This trail is short, well-maintained and...

🧭  Southeast of Asheville:

16. Hickory Nut Falls

👪  💦  🚻  🧺 ❄️ 🥾 1.5 Easy📍 Chimney Rock, NC 🧭 SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info

Hickory Nut Falls is over 400 ft high and located in Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina. The trail is about 1.5 miles easy/moderate roundtrip. More i...

17. Chimney Rock (Exclamation Point & Devil’s Head)
👪  ⛰️ 🚻  🧺 ❄️ 🥾 0.6 Easy/Moderate📍 Chimney Rock, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info

Chimney Rock State Park has been drawing tourists to North Carolina for over 100 years. More info & directions: https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/ https://www....

18. Bearwallow Mountain
👪  ⛰️  🆓  ❄️ 🥾 2.1 Moderate📍 Hickory Nut Gorge/Gerton, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Explore this 360 bald summit view of Bearwallow Mountain located near Asheville, North Carolina. Despite the name, you're not likely to see bears, but you wi...
Join me (Miranda) on a 360 VR virtual hike to the top of Bearwallow Mountain! Will there be bears? Watch & find out what animal you're most likely to see her...

19. Wildcat Rock
⛰️  🆓  ❄️ 🥾 3.5 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Hickory Nut Gorge/Gerton, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Join me (Miranda) for a 360 VR hike on the Wildcat Rock trail in western North Carolina. It's a booty-burner since there are lots of steps on your way up to ...

🧭  Northeast of Asheville:

20. Tom’s Creek Falls
👪  💦  🆓  ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest/Marion, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Tom's Creek Falls is an easy waterfall hike located in Marion, North Carolina. Trail length: About 1 mile roundtrip Trail Difficulty: EasyTraffic: ModerateRe...

21. Craggy Pinnacle
👪  ⛰️  🆓  🚻  🥾 1.0 Easy 🔵 📍 BRP/Barnardsville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link 

Enjoy this spectacular 360 view from the top of Craggy Pinnacle on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina. Is this the best view on the parkway? Vi...
Join me for a virtual 360 hike to Craggy Pinnacle, one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, NC. The view is a mile high, but this rela...

22. Craggy Gardens
👪  ⛰️  🆓  🚻  🧺  🔵  🥾 1.9 Moderate📍 BRP/Barnardsville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature

Craggy Gardens is my favorite Blue Ridge Parkway hike & view near Asheville, NC. Full virtual hike: https://youtu.be/rk4PvG1mD5YSubscribe for more virtual 36...

23. Rattlesnake Lodge
⛰️  🆓  🔵  🥾 3.7 Moderate/Strenuous📍 BRP/Weaverville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Rattlesnake Lodge is a 4-ish mile moderate-strenuous historical hike that takes you to the ruins of a home built in the early 1900s (which had electricity, a...

24. Crabtree Falls
💦  🆓  🚻  🔵 ❄️ 🥾 2.6 Moderate Loop 📍 BRP/Grassy Creek, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Crabtree falls is a 70 foot waterfall located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 339.5, north of Asheville, NC. The trail is moderate and can be 3 - 3....

🧭  East of Asheville:

25. Catawba Falls

Note: This location is closed from May 2, 2022 through Spring 2023 for trail upgrades and new construction.

👪  💦  🆓  🚻 ❄️ 🥾 3 Easy📍 Old Fort, NC 🧭E
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature

Catawba Falls is one of my favorite waterfalls in Western North Carolina! Enjoy exploring the falls from any direction in this 360 VR video filmed with my Go...

BONUS VIDEO!

Try this 20 Minute Yoga Practice to open tight hips before and/or after hiking:

This 20 minute yoga sequence will help you open up tight hips from hiking, backpacking, running, trail running or walking. It's also great to open up your hi...

Thank you so much for using this list to help plan your time in our beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and happy hiking!

💖 Miranda

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