Good Workout, 360 degree views, enchanting forest

Description: Park at the Pisgah Inn and walk to the right down the Blue Ridge Parkway along the road for a bit and on the right side you’ll find the trailhead to the top of Mount Pisgah! Short, but somewhat strenuous uphill hike that has a great payoff with stunning 360 degree views from the deck of a radio tower. Cross over babbling brooks, wind through magical dense woods and stone steps to get to the top. Afterwards, walk back out and head to Pisgah Inn for a cold brew and a burger.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Length: 2.4 miles

Difficulty: Hard/moderate

360 views, easy access, breathtaking

Description: Fryingpan tower is a quick and easy way to take in stunning 360 degree views of the mountains without a long trek. Follow the gravel trail and climb up the tower on a clear day and be prepared to want to stay awhile, it’s popular for a reason!

Duration: 45 minutes

Length: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Quick, Popular, Fun

Description: Skinny dip is a popular, easy and quick hike with a famous waterfall at the end and swimming hole at the end. You can see the monolithic Looking Glass Rock from several points on the trail as well. A beautiful and easy hike not far from home!

Duration: 30 minutes

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Popular, Swimming, Big waterfall

Description: Looking glass is famous for a reason. It’s a massive cascading waterfall with a large swimming pool right off highway 276. You can drive straight up, park (be prepared to park further away in the busy summer months) and walk down the stairs for a dip. Be ready for crowds in the summer time, but it’s always fun.

Duration: 5 minutes

Length: Park right there

Difficulty: Easy

Quick, Panoramic Views, Unique Features

Description: Short, fun hike that will get your heart rate up and give you a great view to make it worth your while. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, park at the lot at the bottom for a quick and windy trip up to the top with awesome mountain views. Check out the plane crash hidden in the trees as well!

Duration: 40 minutes

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: Moderate

Famous, Swimming Spot, Fun for Family

Description: Pack your bathing suit and get ready for a fun ride sliding down this famous rock waterfall! A bit crowded in the summer months so expect a line and a bit of a wait, but a quick and fun stop on Highway 276 before or after Looking Glass Falls. Restrooms and parking is there too, so a great place for a little pit stop if you need it!

Duration: 5 minutes

Length: Park right there

Difficulty: Easy

Long Hike, Adventurous, Day Trip

Description: Looking for a day long adventure? This is it! You’ll drive about an hour to get there, but it’s a gorgeous trip through winding roads. The hike has lots of fun features…a hidden sandy beach along a creek to take a swim, a beautiful shallow waterfall and swimming hole that is found through mangrove trees, a big canyon overlook and finally School House Falls, a pretty waterfall and swimming hole. Definitely want to download the map from alltrails in “offline” mode because there are parts where the trail disappears or is hard to find, but other hikers can help you stay or get back on track. It’s a long trek, but relatively flat, so not too strenuous. Great choice for more adventurous types.

Duration: 6 Hours (including drive time)

Length: 6.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Jaw dropping views, 360 panoramics, famous

Description: Drive to Hot Springs NC (a beautiful trip in and of itself) down a long and winding gravel road to reach the treasure that is Max Patch. A beloved milestone on the Appalachian Trail that is known for its incredible 360 degree views that allow you to see all the way out to Tennessee Smokey Mountains on a clear day. The hike is easy, but the views are literally endless and absolutely breathtaking. Make a day out of it by stopping by some of the hot springs in the area to take a dip too!

Duration: 45 minutes

Length: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Easy Access, Popular, Pretty

Description: Glen Burney Falls is located in the center of Blowing Rock. A longer drive from the house, but a worthy day trip to see the sights in the area. This hike is a short and easy hike (great for families) that has a pretty waterfall at the end. Highly recommend it if you are looking for a little physical activity to break up the car time exploring the Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock region.

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Length: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate/Easy

Stunning, Natural Waterslide, Swimming Holes

Description: 1.5 hours from the house, this trail and waterfall is worth the drive! The trailhead is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you’re in good shape try this alternate route for a bit more adventure: Hike all the way the bottom of the falls FIRST. Experience the natural water slide that flows into a deep swimming pool! Then instead of hiking the trail back up to the top to the big Upper Creek Fall, scramble up the rocks through the little cascading waterfalls, swimming pools and natural sand beaches, until you get high enough up to meet the trail again on the right side near the base of the big falls. Water shoes and a backpack required for this adventure - and bring a towel too!

Duration: 50 minutes (short version) 3 hours (long version)

Length: 1.5 miles

Difficulty: Moderate (short version) strenuous (long version)

Adventure, day trip, immersion

Description: The French Broad River runs through much of the region, including downtown Asheville, all the way up to the Boone area. There are tons of different companies offering canoe, kayaking and river float experiences that are either self guided or tours. Highly recommend spending a day on the river!