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!

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

view from lovers leap hike

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

view from the top of john rock

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

View from the lookout at Lane Pinnacle
View from atop Hawkbill Rock

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

Fall foliage from Looking Glass Rock

Need a place to crash after the hike?

Need a place to crash?