Best Hikes near Asheville
WNC's Best Hikes
Overwhelmed by the hundreds of hiking options in Western North Carolina? We’ve curated this small list of the best hikes in Asheville, which should give a few options for all different types of hikers. Want to see a waterfall or a glorious view? Want to go for a casual stroll or break a sweat? All of these trails received the official Lazy Tiger stamp of approval!
**Hurricane Helene Update**
After Hurricane Helene, many of Western North Carolina’s trails near Asheville have been impacted—some remain open for adventurous hikers, while others are still closed for repairs. Most hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville are closed and/or inaccessible by car.
Areas that are open for hiking – Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, West of Asheville (Canton, Sylva, Waynesville), some out east (Swannanoa/Black Mountain), and some down in Gerton. We recommend checking the trail comments/reviews on All Trails (area hikers are great about updating trail status). Happy hiking!
Lovers Leap
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 472 ft
Route: Loop
Distance from Hostel: 38 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Big Pillow Brewing Company
Richmond Hill Park
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 308 ft
Route: Loop
Distance from Hostel: 9 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Outsider Brewing
Graveyard Fields
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 305 ft
Route: Loop
Distance from Hostel: 60 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Sierra Nevada Taproom
John Rock
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.9 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,082 ft
Route: Loop
Distance from Hostel: 56 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Ecusta Brewing Company
Lane Pinnacle
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,141 ft
Route: Out and Back
Distance from Hostel: 31 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Eluvium Brewing Company
Hawksbill Rock
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,049 ft
Route: Out and Back
Distance from Hostel: 37 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Zebulon Artisan Ales
Graybeard Trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Length: 8.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,404 ft
Route: Out and Back
Distance from Hostel: 34 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Lookout Brewing Company
The Pinnacle Trail
Difficulty: Challenging
Length: 7.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,477 ft
Route: Out and Back
Distance from Hostel: 53 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Innovation Brewing Company
Looking Glass Rock
Difficulty: Challenging
Length: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,748 ft
Route: Out and Back
Distance from Hostel: 55 minutes
Suggested Brewery Pairing: Oskar Blues Brewery
