10 Best Winter Hikes Near Asheville, NC
Explore the best winter hikes near Asheville, NC for waterfalls, nature walks, and breathtaking views – from locals and avid hikers.
Are you headed to Asheville, NC around December through early March and looking for things to do?
Even though it is colder and a bit muddier, we love hitting the trails. They tend to stay quieter this time of year, which means stretches to yourself and ample parking.
Below, find just a few of our favorite winter hikes in Asheville, including nature and mountain biking trails like Beaver Lake, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Biltmore, and The North Carolina Arboretum.
Then, for more of the best winter hiking near Asheville, try the Pisgah National Forest, Gerton, Chimney Rock, Hot Springs, and Hendersonville.
So, keep reading for the bests hikes in Asheville in the winter along with important winter weather information and hiking safety tips to help keep you safe and prepared.
Don’t get caught on a closed trail, either.
Be sure to tell us your favorite Asheville winter hikes in the comments. Let’s get started!
Read more about all of Asheville’s beautiful hiking trails.
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What You'll Find In This Guide
10 Best Winter Hikes Near Asheville
1. Daniel Ridge Loop & Falls
Address: Daniel Ridge Falls, National Forest Rd, Brevard, NC 28712
Length: Moderate 4-mile loop or easy 1-mile out and back
One of our absolute favorite Asheville winter hikes, Daniel Ridge Loop in the Pisgah National Forest promises a cascading waterfall (if it doesn’t freeze) and two trail options.
This is also a popular local mountain biking spot for more skilled bikers.
Either hike the 4-mile loop or take the shorter and easier one-mile out and back directly to Daniel Ridge Falls.
Just know that Daniel Ridge Falls is also known as “Tom’s Spring Branch Falls.”
For winter hiking near Asheville, Daniel Ridge is perfect because it doesn’t get crowded, and you are surrounded by babbling streams and absolute serenity.
Just keep your eyes on those trail markers; it’s easy to get lost out here and cellular service is hard to come by.
Many people also hike nearby Looking Glass Rock in the winter, which is right before the Daniel Ridge Trailhead.
Afterward, we highly recommend checking out Brevard’s brewery scene, including Oskar Blues and Ecusta.
And, don’t miss Looking Glass Falls on your way out, which is a drive-up waterfall known to freeze in the winter.
Explore even more great hiking waterfalls around Asheville.
2. Wildcat Rock Trail & Little Bearwallow Falls
Address: 3823 Gerton Hwy, Gerton, NC 28735
Length: 2-mile out and back to Little Bearwallow Falls or 4-mile out and back to Wildcat Rock
Conserving Carolina’s Guide To Wildcat Rock
There are a plethora of connecting trails around Wildcat Rock and Bearwallow Mountain.
For more difficult winter hiking trails near Asheville, trek the 4-mile round trip out and back to Wildcat Rock from the Gerton Highway.
Start at the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trailhead, and find parking across the street in a designated lot.
If you want a calmer hike, stop mid-way at Little Bearwallow Falls (about 1 mile in). Some outdoor enthusiasts professionally ice and rock climb here.
We’ve even enjoyed a winter picnic along the rocks.
Conserving Carolina maintains all of our favorite Asheville winter hikes like Wildcat Rock, Bearwallow, and Trombatore Trails (more to come about them).
We are huge fans of their well-marked and well-maintained trails. They are constantly adding extensions to connect the trails.
Conserving Carolina’s website will tell you all of the many ways you can find these trails.
3. Chimney Rock State Park
Address: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720
Admission fees, numerous trails, and Hickory Nut Falls
Chimney Rock’s Website
Stand on a giant 535-million-year-old monolith with stellar views at Chimney Rock, one of the best winter hikes near Asheville that is also terrific for young families.
We are honestly a bit scared to hike Chimney Rock during any other season, especially in the fall. This area grows packed with travelers and is known for mile upon mile of road back-ups.
However, Chimney Rock is the perfect hike in the winter as the crowds disappear, and you’ll find reduced admission prices.
Plus, Chimney Rock State Park is an attraction in and of itself. Enjoy hiking trails, a cafe, an elevator to the top of Chimney Rock, and gift shops.
Some of the upper trails may close due to ice, though. Afterward, grab wine, beer, and food in Chimney Rock Village.
Both Chimney Rock and Lake Lure make for fantastic day-tripping options from Asheville.
4. Bearwallow Mountain
Address: 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Length: 2-mile out and back with a gravel access road or forest trail options
For the best winter hiking near Asheville, Bearwallow Mountain is one of the most popular because of its views and accessibility.
Please exert extreme caution on the narrow, icy road up here, though.
A 2-mile round trip hike, either walk the gravel access road or hike up the forest trail to a beautiful meadow with cows. Visitors can also combine the two into a loop.
Bearwallow Mountain is an easy hike for families and is great for picnics and sunsets.
If you are looking for harder winter hikes near Asheville don’t miss the Trombatore Trail directly across from the Bearwallow Mountain Trailhead.
5. DuPont State Forest
Visitor Center Address: 1300 Staton Road Cedar Mountain, NC 28718
Various trails, difficulties, & lengths
DuPont Forest is by far one of the best Asheville winter hikes for breathtaking waterfalls.
Forty-five minutes from Downtown Asheville, DuPont is free to enter with various parking lots and a Visitor Center.
Encounter endless mountain biking and hiking trails throughout the area.
Two of the waterfalls — Bridal Veil Falls at DuPont and Triple Falls — are filming locations for The Hunger Games.
You’ll also catch Bridal Veil Falls in scenes from The Last Of The Mohicans.
The most popular winter hike at DuPont includes the three waterfall hike to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls, which is about 3 miles long.
Add in Bridal Veil Falls, which will tack on an additional 3.7 miles.
Find picnic tables above Triple Falls and restrooms, trash cans, and water fountains at the Visitor Center and Hooker Falls Access Area.
After hiking Dupont, we love heading to Downtown Hendersonville, which boasts a pinball museum, shopping, and a chocolate factory.
Hendersonville also has the best restaurants for lunch and dinner, including Umi Sushi and Haus Heidelberg.
If you have time, be sure to tour the Hendersonville wineries, including Stone Ashe and Marked Tree. Or, brewery hop in Hendersonville at D9, Oklawaha, and Guidon.
If it’s late fall, apple pick and get lost in a corn maze at the Hendersonville apple orchards like Stepp’s Hillcrest and Sky Top Orchard.
Nearby, Flat Rock promises a theater, a gorgeous park to walk your dog, delicious Thai cuisine, and local coffee.
6. The NC Arboretum
Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
Numerous trails, gardens, and pay to enter
Grab Our Guide To The North Carolina Arboretum
For some of the best winter hikes in Asheville, head to The NC Arboretum. We are annual passholders/members at both The North Carolina Arboretum and Biltmore Estate.
Less than 20 minutes from Downtown, explore over thirteen beautiful hiking and nature trails.
The NC Arboretum trails range in distance and difficulty. Find .3-mile hikes to 1.3+-mile hikes, some of which connect into the Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
Many of these trails are great for mountain biking, especially with the littles.
You may also like The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights Festival (November to December), which is one of the best ways to enjoy wintertime in Asheville.
7. Bent Creek Experimental Forest Trails
Hard Times Trail Address: 375 Wesley Branch Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Numerous trails for mountain biking and hiking
Bent Creek Information
For more of the best hikes in Asheville in the winter, we absolutely love Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Locals flock here on weekends, including us.
These well-maintained trails range in length and difficulty, butting up against The North Carolina Arboretum.
Explore various trailheads along the way that range in difficulty. If you trek along the Hard Times Trail, you can see Lake Powhatan.
This is also one of the top areas for mountain biking, and some of these trails might just kick your butt. Find parking along each of the trails (lots and streets).
Grab Apollo Flame Bistro grinders on your way home for lunch, one of our overall favorite Asheville restaurants.
8. Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary & Perimeter Trail
Address: Merrimon Ave. past the North Branch Asheville library
Length: 2.1-mile loop (sometimes a portion of the loop is closed in winter for maintenance – then, the Perimeter Trail becomes an out and back)
Grab Our Complete Guide To Beaver Lake
Ten minutes from Downtown, Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary and Trail is another easy nature walk option.
Walkers and runners will find a mostly flat nature trail in the heart of the well-established North Asheville neighborhood.
However, please note that dogs and running are not allowed in the actual sanctuary. You will also need a permit for your dog.
The Beaver Lake Perimeter Trail is about 2.1 miles long.
Sometimes, a portion of the loop is closed for maintenance and mud, transforming the trail into an out-and-back.
If you are looking for even more casual nature walks and winter hikes in Asheville, head down the street to the Botanical Gardens At Asheville or check out some of Asheville’s beautiful parks and gardens.
Find even more beautiful lakes near Asheville too including Black Mountain’s Lake Tomahawk and Weaverville’s Lake Louise.
9. Biltmore Estate Trails
Biltmore Estate Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
Various trails and must pay a full ticket price or be a passholder to enter
Don’t Miss Our Guide To Biltmore Estate
Did you know that Biltmore Estate is home to some of the best Asheville winter hiking trails?
Those 22+ miles of scenic walking, running, and biking trails are one of the reasons why we are annual passholders – OK, and maybe the winery too.
Some of Biltmore’s trails are as long as 3.5 miles and range from moderate to challenging.
We most frequent the Lagoon and Deer Park Trails, which will even take you up to the side of the house and into the gardens.
You will need a Biltmore pass, overnight property reservation, or ticket to access the trails, though.
We also highly recommend checking out one of Biltmore’s great restaurants before or after your hike, like Cedric’s or Village Social.
Consider grabbing a coffee from The Kitchen Cafe or The Creamery before hopping on the trails around Antler Hill Village.
Or, head to Historic Biltmore Village for breweries, pubs, and popular restaurants.
10. Lover’s Leap
Address: 138 Silvermine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743
Length: Just under a 2-mile loop with switchbacks and steep incline/decline
Grab Our Guide To Lover’s Leap
Hot Springs is one of our favorite WNC mountain towns to visit for chill vibes.
Plus, the area houses some of the best winter hikes near Asheville – when it’s not snowy or icy – like Lover’s Leap and Max Patch.
If you are not afraid of heights and ridiculously sharp switchbacks, Lover’s Leap (orange-ish blazes) promises breathtaking views and even intersects with parts of the Appalachian Trail (white blazes).
Enjoy a loop that falls just under 2 miles with a steep incline and descent. Just be mindful of the edge, and we wouldn’t personally recommend this trail if it’s super icy.
For more winter hiking near Asheville and Hot Springs, Max Patch is another one of the most popular trails.
However, we would not recommend driving up the road to get here in the snow, heavy rain, or ice.
Max Patch is a kid-friendly trail with 1.5-mile and 2.4-mile loop options. Know that camping is currently banned as they work to restore and conserve the trail.
Read more about the Hot Springs, NC area, including where to eat, shop, and drink. Or, explore nearby Marshall.
Asheville Winter Hiking Weather
How can you best plan for these winter hikes near Asheville? Know the weather.
From December to February in and around Asheville, expect daytime highs averaging around 50 to 60 degrees and evening lows around the 30s.
We’ll see a few evenings drop into the 20s too.
While we don’t usually have feet upon feet of snow, we will receive light dustings, frequent ice, and the occasional “snowstorm,” with half a foot of snow in the mountains.
In 2020, we even had a white Christmas.
For winter hiking near Asheville, expect temperatures in the higher elevations to drop about 10 to 25 degrees cooler. Also, expect early morning fog.
Sunset for November and December is around 5 PM and by February, the sun will set around 6:30/7 PM.
What To Pack & Wear For These Asheville Winter Hikes
For what to pack and wear for any of these winter hikes near Asheville, we recommend layers, a winter coat, scarves, gloves, hats, and boots.
The Asheville winter hiking trails grow muddy and slippery. You’ll crunch on ice and find yourself with wet socks.
Like always – but also as a reminder – you will want to hike with matches, layers, first aid supplies, flashlights/headlamps, food, extra water or cleaning tablets/filters, a whistle, and emergency/extra supplies in case you get injured or lost.
You might want hiking poles, crampons, or microspikes.
Bring a map or GPS — it’s easier to get lost on snow and leaf-covered trails. Know your trailblazes too.
We hike with this Garmin paired with the GAIA phone app. People frequently get lost or confused — tourists and locals.
People have to get rescued, and hikers have died in the WNC mountains.
Don’t forget, too, that it’s colder and grows darker earlier in the winter. We suggest hiking first thing in the morning to avoid getting caught in the dark.
Tell others where you are hiking and when to expect you back. You won’t always have cell reception in the mountains.
What You Need To Know About The Blue Ridge Parkway In The Winter
Some of the best hikes in Asheville in the winter include those along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), if it’s still open (usually very early or very late winter).
The BRP is filled with hiking trails and waterfalls. It also has the best fall hikes near Asheville.
A few tips for navigating the Blue Ridge Parkway in the winter:
- Always check with the National Park Service (NPS) before heading out for any of these Asheville winter hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many parts of the BRP stay closed for ice. Sometimes, you’ll first catch gate closures on your GPS but always double-check the NPS closures here.
- Dense and intense fog rolls in and out of the mountains. One second the road is there and the next, it’s gone. The same goes for those gorgeous views.
- The winding roads are pretty terrible for motion sickness – take it from us.
- In the winter, many locals will park around the closed BRP gates and enjoy a peaceful and rare walk down the road.
Save The Top Winter Hikes In Asheville For Later:
Where To Stay In Asheville
Explore the best places to stay in Asheville. A few of our top suggestions:
- Aloft – Downtown Asheville – Centrally located and recently renovated, enjoy a rooftop pool, a gorgeous bar, and trendy rooms.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn – Treat yourself to a luxury resort in North Asheville, complete with breathtaking sunsets, terrace bars and dining, and loads of Asheville history.
- Hampton Inn And Suites Asheville Biltmore Area – A budget-friendly but renovated hotel on busier Brevard Road that’s perfect if you wish to stay between Biltmore Estate, Downtown Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Asheville Cottages – Gorgeous 1 to 3-bedroom cottages with a private deck, housing a grill and hot tub. Find luxurious heated-floor bathrooms with rain showers, a well-stocked kitchen, and the cleanest rooms in town.
- Foundry Hotel – An oasis in Downtown Asheville, Foundry Hotel is a nod to AVL’s industrial history. Find famous restaurant Benne on Eagle while sleeping ensconced in charm and elegance.
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Westgate, NC – Located off of the highway as you enter AVL, find a sleek and clean hotel at a great price.
- Black Walnut B&B Inn – Designed by Biltmore’s supervising architect, Richard Sharp-Smith, this 1899 inn is close to Downtown AVL and serves afternoon tea. Two rooms are pet-friendly.
Don’t miss out on these Asheville properties on Booking.com, too.
What do you consider to be the best hikes in Asheville in the winter?
If we had to pick our top three favorite Asheville winter hikes, we’d go with DuPont State Forest for those waterfalls, Lover’s Leap for its terrific town and breathtaking views, and Biltmore Estate – paired with coffee around the Lagoon Trail.
For winter hikes in Asheville proper and as locals, Bent Creek Experimental Forest and The NC Arboretum are high up there for the variety of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Of course, if you love that lake lifestyle, try Lake Junaluksa, Lake Lure, Lake Tomahawk, and Beaver Lake.
What are your favorite winter hikes near Asheville so far? What’s on your Asheville winter hiking bucket list? Let us know in the comments.
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Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
For those of us with a mobility disability, can you add information on trail surface conditions (i.e., pack gravel, loose gravel, dirt with rack/roots, muddy, steps, paved, level, steep, etc.).
Additional descriptions would helps us with a disability enjoy the hikes as well.
Thanks
David
Hi David, Yes! I will try to be more descriptive. Thank you for the feedback.