Asheville is made for outdoor adventurers, thanks to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and cascades like Looking Glass Falls.
Photo by Wes Hicks/Unsplash (L); photo by Michelle Heimerman (R)
This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on July 27, 2026, with current information.
Asheville, North Carolina, is a natural draw for the outdoor adventurer. The Blue Ridge Mountains were formed millions of years ago, when the Earth’s tectonic plates collided. Today, the gentle range, both inviting and awe-inspiring, remains one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world—and the majestic French Broad River that winds through those hills is even older. Asheville sits right in the middle of all of this.
I spent nearly a decade living in Asheville and explored its trails, rivers, and scenic byways in every season. Whether I was tubing down the French Broad River, trail running along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, or camping at Lake Powhatan, I’ve found how easy and fun it is to fall in love with the outdoors here.
Although Hurricane Helene devastated the city and surrounding areas in late September of 2024, the resilient community has rebuilt itself with creativity, perseverance, and determination. Asheville is open, thriving, and eager to welcome visitors, and one of the best ways to get to know it is through its outdoor activities.
You can enjoy any number of active pursuits any day of the year—and even one or two adventures that are less about adrenaline and more about relaxation. One of Asheville’s biggest assets is that it has something for every skill level and every passion. Our advice? Make sure to sample each.
Mountain biking at Hard Times Trailhead
- Location: 375 Wesley Branch Rd., Asheville
If your idea of a perfect morning includes an early alarm, a strong cup of coffee, and shredding a rocky and rooted multi-use trail popular with the mountain biking community, then you’re in luck: Start at Rowan West coffee shop in West Asheville then head to Bent Creek Experimental Forest and its Hard Times Trailhead. Erin Barrett, founding board member of Blue Ridge Dirt Skrrts, a nonprofit aimed at getting more women into mountain biking, recommends this trail, which can be ridden in either direction. “From Rice pinnacle parking, it’s a great warm-up and then a downhill getting you over to the trails around Lake Powhatan. Ridden the opposite direction, there’s a short steep climb with a super fun flowy downhill,” says Barrett. “It challenges riders with elevation but it’s smooth and can be ridden with some pedaling determination. This trail is suggested for beginner to advanced riders and they should expect climbing and descending ridden from either way.”
There’s also a robust network of trails at DuPont State Forest, 37 miles south of the city, and a skills area and pump track in West Asheville at Kolo Bike Park.
And if you’ve been eager to try an e-bike or want to learn more about Asheville, try doing both at once with a guided, kid-friendly e-biking excursion with locally owned Flying Bike Tours. It operates out of the River Arts District and its tours take you on a 14-mile adventure through various neighborhoods while you learn about the area and get insider tips about your guide’s favorite must-see spots like the Grove Arcade, an architectural landmark bustling with local shops and restaurants in downtown as well as the historic Montford neighborhood.
Afterward, when returning your bike, grab a craft beer at neighboring Hi-Wire Brewing Co.; its RAD Beer Garden has upcycled shipping containers and 20 taps (try the High Pitch IPA), making for a casual and fun watering hole for a postride recap.
The accessible Wilma Dykeman Greenway follows the path of the French Broad River, which is believed to be one of the oldest in the world.
Photo by Tim Robison
Walking or cycling along Wilma Dykeman Greenway
- Location: 192 Riverside Dr., Asheville
Even the most enthusiastic greenway supporter couldn’t have imagined how completely this two-mile, tree-lined asphalt path named after a local author and environmental activist would transform the city. Be sure to join its steady stream of locals commuting to and from work or amusing themselves along its paved, winding paths. Dog walkers—we’ve also spotted a cat on a leash—are popular, as are cyclists, runners, power walkers, skateboarders, and families with strollers.
Asheville’s greenway traverses both sides of the French Broad River, with put-ins and take-outs for kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, as well as easy access to local watering holes like New Belgium Brewing. The path extends to Carrier Park, a thriving spot with ample free parking where you can join a game of pickup ultimate Frisbee or sprawl on the grass with a blanket and a book. There are plans to extend the greenway even further and, if present use is any indication, the added miles will only multiply the joy. While a few sections remain under repair due to Hurricane Helene, most of the greenway is open and accessible allowing visitors and locals alike to continue enjoying one of Asheville’s most beloved public spaces.
Waterfall hopping at Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls
- Sliding Rock location: View on Google Maps
- Looking Glass Falls location: View on Google Maps
- Hickory Nut Falls location: View on Google Maps
No trip to the Asheville area would be complete without visiting at least a few waterfalls. Create a core memory at Sliding Rock, about 40 miles south of downtown Asheville, a natural cascade that happens to double as, well, a sliding rock. Slipping down its incline is a local rite of passage, and its eight-foot plunge pool means there’s a soft landing after the thrill. It is staffed with lifeguards for sliding on most days from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Just down the road from Sliding Rock, you’ll find Looking Glass Falls, one of the most photographed outdoor features in the area. Known for its 75-foot drop, this is one of the most dramatic and easy-to-observe waterfalls thanks to its roadside observation deck and short staircase to the bottom.
Looking Glass is a favorite waterfall of Guillard Climbing owner Pete Guillard, who’s also partial to Hickory Nut Falls, a 404-foot cascade in Chimney Rock State Park northeast from here (and featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans). “These two waterfalls represent how spectacular this region is,” he says. “With their proximity to some of the most iconic rock climbing in the state, Looking Glass Rock and Rumbling Bald, I always suggest a trip to take in the views postclimbing. Each involves a short hike and should not be missed on your next visit to Asheville!”
And if you want to kick your adventure up a notch, we recommend booking a half or full day of climbing with Guillard, who offers private instruction for beginners and single and multi-pitch adventures.
Bird-watching at Botanical Gardens at Asheville
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville features peaceful pathways, bridges, a water garden, and a bird-viewing deck.
Photo by Tim Robison/ExploreAsheville.com
- Location: 151 WT Weaver Blvd.
It’s free to tour (and park at) the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, a 10-acre collection of native plants. It’s a prime spot for bird-watching, and the park benches dotted throughout the property allow for peace and reflection; a wheelchair ramp aids in accessing the visitor center and bird deck (but the gardens’ website notes that the trails are not easily navigable by all yet).
There’s a rule against bringing dogs here, but picnics are allowed—and they’re popular. Bring snacks and relax at benches and tables, or spread a blanket on Sunshine Meadow beside the gazebo or Sycamore Meadow, which is next to Reed Creek. If you really want to make things special (like a proposal), Asheville-based company Picnic Pop-up can design a personal moment for you, complete with gourmet charcuterie and local wine.
Family-friendly activities at Adventure Center of Asheville, Franny’s Farm, and more
- Adventure Center: 85 Expo Dr., Asheville
- Franny’s Farm: 22 Franny’s Farm Rd., Leicester
- Richmond Hill Park: 300 Richmond Hill Dr.
- Omni Grove Park Inn: 290 Macon Ave.
Sometimes you want someone else to plan your outdoor adventure. So how about 60 minutes of beginner-friendly yoga poses while surrounded by goats at Franny’s Farm in nearby Leicester? Or a zip-line exploit with the Adventure Center of Asheville, which has a KidZip for young thrill-seekers? Or a free round of disc golf at the 18-hole, dog-friendly Richmond Hill Park?
Foodies, meanwhile, will want to opt for an edible foraging trek under the canopy of trees at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn with the guidance of No Taste Like Home: After filling your basket with local mushrooms, roots, nuts, and more, you can arrange to have your “catch of the day” cooked by a chef at one of a handful of local restaurants like the Market Place, the Bull and Beggar and Red Stag Grill.
