A large part of the allure of Western North Carolina and the Greater Asheville Area is the scenic mountainscapes in which residents and visitors alike find themselves each day. For many, this area is an escape from their busy lives back home while for others it’s a new way of life in which they can become more connected with nature.
There are endless ways to take in the beauty of the mountains. For some, it’s as simple as a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a morning coffee ritual with a view of the mountains, or a walk around the neighborhood. On the top of our list of connecting with nature are the many options for hiking and mountain biking. We’ve put our collective heads together to compile a list of the best trails in our area for both. While this list could go on for pages, we’ve narrowed it down to our top 3 mountain biking trails and top 3 hiking trails:
Craggy Gardens
The Craggy Garden Visitor Center, located at mile marker 364 off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers two great hiking approaches on either side. The Craggy Gardens trail is typically the lower traffic trail and can be accessed from a trailhead at the Visitor Center or from the Craggy Picnic area headed north towards the Visitor Center. In the early summer, Craggy Gardens comes alive with blooming rhododendrons and mountain
laurels.
For an iconic hike that’s one of the closest to downtown Asheville, Craggy Pinnacle is a 1.4-mile round-trip hike that is a great option for when you’re crunched for time. The summit sits at over 5,800 feet with postcard-worthy panoramic views of the mountains below. This trail is particularly popular in peak fall for its stunning color, but it’s also a beautiful spot for sunset views in the winter.
Lookout Trail in Montreat
East of Asheville neighboring Black Mountain sits the quaint town of Montreat. Montreat has a very intricate trail system. Lookout Mountain tends to be one of the most recognized names of the trail system (in addition to Greybeard’s namesake - Greybeard Mountain). While the trail itself is a 1.4-mile loop, it includes a somewhat strenuous rock scramble towards the end. However, trust us when we say that it’s well worth the effort for the beautiful views of the Swannanoa Valley and Montreat that can be viewed from the 3,700+ foot summit.
In all, the elevation gain amounts to about 600 feet. Something to keep in mind is that the trail is quite busy throughout the year, but especially during the summer conference season as larger groups of conference-goers and families opt for this youth-friendly trail. After your hike, stop 
into the Huckleberry Cafe (known to locals as the Huck) for a much-deserved treat of ice cream or coffee.
Bearwallow Mountain Trail
South of Asheville, near Hendersonville and the neighboring Fairview community, Bearwallow Mountain Trail is one of our favorite hiking destinations. This 2-mile round trip hike meanders to an expansive meadow located at an elevation of 4,200 that offers long-range views of Mt Mitchell, Mt Pisgah, and the lower elevation Hickory Nut Gorge. There is a historic fire tower at the top of Bearwallow Mountain, and you are also likely to see grazing cattle that get to take in the view regularly. Since it’s so wide open, it’s a great trail for bringing your pup along (as long as they aren’t nervous around cows). If stargazing interests you, this is a prime spot for that as well.
Fonta Flora County Trail
The Fonta Flora State Trail system includes over 19 miles of designated multi-use trails and 90 acres of conservation land. The Fonta Flora County Park and Connector Trailhead, located in Morganton off of NC-126, is the starting point for the Fonta Flora Trail Loop which spans 3.7 miles. This loop winds through beautiful wooded trails, eventually reaching a lookout where you can catch views of the pristine Lake James and surrounding mountains, including Linville Gorge, before looping back through the forest and the joining parking area. While the trail is considered moderately challenging for mountain biking, elevation gain is no more than 300 feet. You can expect to also see hikers on this trail.
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
If you ask any local where to mountain bike in the Greater Asheville area, Bent Creek Experimental Forest is bound to come up. Located in the northernmost section of the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville, the forest includes over 6,000 acres of land and 30 miles of trails that can be used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The trail also borders the North Carolina Arboretum and Blue Ridge Parkway, two beloved attractions in our area. While there are countless trails to choose from, the Hardtimes Connector and Deer Lake Lodge trails tend to be some of the most traveled and are located near the entrance. While all of the trails at Bent
Creek tend to be rated moderate or easy, the Explorer Loop Trail and Green’s Lick Trail are a safe bet for a little more of a challenge.
Kitsuma
For those looking for a mountain biking challenge, you’ve found your match in Kitsuma. While it is well traveled, the first half mile of the trail which is located in Ridgecrest (neighbor to Black Mountain), includes a hefty switchback climb of 400 feet. While some turn around from here (a 1.8-mile pedal), you can continue down with a descent into the Old Fort picnic area and then travel up towards Point Lookout on the paved greenway trail to loop back to Ridgecrest. The full loop is around 7 miles. While this adventure is not for the faint of heart, it’s perfect for more experienced riders looking for a feat to conquer.
If you consider yourself an avid hiker or mountain bike enthusiast, the Greater Asheville area, Lake James, and Lake Lure regions are an absolute paradise–—with hundreds of miles of trail options to delight outdoor lovers of all ages and activity levels. No matter how you choose to explore, we are fortunate that mountain views, waterfalls, and meadows are never too far away and are readily accessible in our region!