One of the most beautiful things about Asheville is the countless activities in your backyard. There are many hiking trails to choose from, many national forests to pick from and even a laundry list of waterfalls to seek out. Did you know part of the state is a temperate rainforest?! My point being, it can be a little overwhelming to chose where to go, which trail to hike and what to see. If you are looking for an easy day on the trails followed by a great drive, check out my perfect hiking day in Asheville below.
Drive down to DuPont National Forest
Only 50-ish minutes from Asheville, this national forest is dense with greenery and has a few waterfalls worth basking in. Note: you can definitely bring a bathing suit and swim in the water, we wish we did.
Hiking Trails:
Once you enter DuPont Forest, look for the trailhead to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls. There are all easy hikes (none are more than 1 mile) that open up to beautiful waterfalls. You can start by going to look at Hooker Falls, then loop back to Triple Falls and catch High Falls if you’re up to a longer hike (maybe .7 miles). High Falls is a loop that connects at Triple Falls. If you are looking for a great waterfall, take the hike to High Falls, they were incredible; the best of the 3 IMO.
Drive back on Pisgah Parkway and loop onto Blue Ridge Parkway:
Blue Ridge Parkway is famous for a reason; the views are incredible. Once you exit DuPont Forest, you can catch Pisgah Parkway to enter the Nantahala National Forest, then catch the Blue Ridge Parkway to make your way back to Asheville. Blue Ridge Parkway has countless lookout points to stop, take pictures, and bask in the dense forest surroundings. It is truly a beautiful sight and beyond worth the drive.
Enjoy your day trip! Looking for other Asheville recommendations? Click here!