7 Absolute Gem Asheville Hiking Trails We Love As Locals (Under 1 Hour Away)

With those breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s no surprise that hiking is one of the top things to do in Asheville, North Carolina – and there certainly is no shortage of trails to choose from. If we had to pick the best Asheville hiking trails that locals love – not just the blockbusters like Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain, and Linville Falls – we’d go with Little Butt, Laurel River, Masters Park to Haw Creek, and more. Keep reading for our gem list of hikes under one hour away from Asheville.

Local Asheville Hiking Trails featured image of Little Butt

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As avid hikers and Asheville locals, all photos and experiences are our own. Please know estimated times are how long treks take Tom and I; we are short, 40+, and slow. We track our distance on the Gaia GPS app, and we stop for photos, breaks, and picnics. Afterward, discover our top recommended Asheville waterfall hikes like DuPont State Forest, Catawba Falls, Mingo Falls, Crabtree Falls, and Moore Cove Falls.

What You'll Find In This Guide

Best Local Asheville Hiking Trails Under 1 Hour Away

Along with the hikes listed below, we also enjoy Pink Beds Loop, Daniel Ridge Loop, and Craven Gap. If it is September or October, try these unforgettable fall foliage hikes including Graveyard Loop and Black Balsam Knob. If the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for icy weather, we suggest these winter trails.

Masters Park To Haw Creek Overlook

Length: 2.15 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderately easy; incline
Duration Of Hike: 1 to 1.5 hours, stopping to enjoy the view
Type Of Hike: Out and back, black bears, forest stairs, packed dirt, narrow trail path, mushrooms, white markers for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, somewhat labeled
Address: 101 Maple Dr, Asheville, NC 28805; small lot with very limited parking; no facilities
Distance From Asheville: 10 to 15 minutes within Asheville

Masters Park to Haw Creek Overlook is an East Asheville hike to a stunning overlook perfect for picnics. I call this trek the “mushroom hike,” and you’ll quickly see why. I most appreciate the breathtaking views at the top, and the fact that the trail is in Asheville proper. My only con is that you have to walk across the sometimes busy Blue Ridge Parkway – and, the slanted rock at the top is a little terrifying but worth it.

Little Butt & Big Butt Trails

Length: About 5.1 miles round trip to Little Butt; Big Butt is 6 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Duration Of Hike: 3 to 4+ hours for Little & Big Butt Trails
Type Of Hike: Out and back, forest stairs, narrow trail paths, tall grass, white markers on the trees; Point Misery is adequately named
Address: Walker Knob Overlook at 59700 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Black Mountain, NC 28711 & MP 359-ish; park in the horseshoe pullover; no facilities
Distance From Asheville: 45-50 minutes; 23 miles

Little Butt (and Big Butt) is one of my favorite tough hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and we joke that it will get your butt in shape. With such a small parking lot, we only ever pass a few hikers deep into the forest. Because this trail is more strenuous – you’ll find yourself cursing forest and rock stairs – we pack a picnic to enjoy on Little Butt’s rock overlooking the beautiful Black Mountain range. Before the trailhead, spot markers for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

🥾 Hiking in new places can be overwhelming and unnerving. If you prefer guided tours, take this popular BRP hiking tour or this BRP waterfall tour.

Bailey Mountain Preserve

Length: 5 miles round trip with a 1300-foot elevation gain
Difficulty Level: Moderately Difficult
Duration Of Hike: 2 hrs 45 minutes+
Type Of Hike: Out and back, forest stairs, single track, packed dirt, we followed the yellow trail but there are side trails and other ways to the summit
Address: Bailey Mountain Preserve, 889 Forest St, Mars Hill, NC 28754; currently a temporary lot for construction with a porta potty
Distance From Asheville: Under 30 minutes; 19 miles

Bailey Mountain Preserve is a quiet and local well-maintained trail in Mars Hill, NC with a fun elevation gain (read as: I wanted to barf), gorgeous scenery, and great for a workout. This trail takes us quite some time to ascend, but we halve our time on the descent. The best views are at the beginning of the hike and about 90% of the way toward the summit. There’s a book to sign at the very top but no views. I don’t recommend hiking this one when it is hot outside.

Laurel River Trail

Length: 7+ miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderately Easy
Duration Of Hike: 2 to 3+ hours
Type Of Hike: Out and back, packed dirt, gravel, roots, largely flat, small stream crossings, wet rocks and boulders, sometimes downed trees, mud
Address: GPS to “Laurel Creek Trailhead” in Marshall, NC; parking lots on both sides of the road
Distance From Asheville: 40 minutes; 29 miles

Marshall and Hot Springs are two of my favorite small mountain towns filled with great hiking trails near Asheville like Max Patch, Lover’s Leap, and Laurel River (two of which intersect the Appalachian Trail).

The first mile of the Laurel River Trail cuts through private property with plenty of warnings to stay on the path. Once in public land, visitors picnic and swim in safe areas. You’ll spy whitewater rafters. The area is incredibly scenic and peaceful, perfect for hiking with dogs and kids. Make it as long or short as you wish. Afterward, we like to head to Downtown Marshall for their used bookstore, Sadie’s, and the gourmet grocery store.

Skinny Dip Falls (Post Flooding)

Skinny Dip Falls Dragon Tree with Christine

Length: 1 mile round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderately easy
Duration Of Hike: 30 – 45 minutes, including time to explore the falls
Type Of Hike: Out and back, climb over rocks & streams, forest stairs, packed dirt, wooden stairs and bridges, roots, watch for bears
Address: Park at Looking Glass Overlook at Milepost 417; cross the BRP for the trailhead
Distance From Asheville: 1 hour; 33 miles mostly along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Damaged by flooding caused by Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, Skinny Dip Falls is a completely different place; it is heartbreaking to those of us who remember the great swimming holes. Post-flooding, no longer find the massive wooden bridge or the same falls and wading pools. However, Skinny Dip Falls is one of the best short Asheville hiking trails to ease back into shape for the outdoor season. It’s also perfect for littles to find their hiking feet.

Start with a gorgeous view of Looking Glass Rock. Then, spot the famous Dragon Tree, which touches the core of my soul every dang time. The trail ends at a series of small falls and follows along parts of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Consider pairing this hike with Black Balsam, Graveyard Fields, Mount Pisgah, or Fryingpan Mountain Tower. Read our Mount Pisgah area hiking guide for full details.

Craggy Gardens

Length: 2 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderately easy
Duration Of Hike: 45 minutes to 1 hour+
Type Of Hike: Rocks, packed dirt, tall grass; parking lots with facilities, a visitor center and shop, and picnic areas
Address: Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (MP 364.4) | 364 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or Craggy Gardens Picnic Area (MP 367.6) | 3676 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Barnardsville, NC 28709
Distance From Asheville: 35 minutes; 17 miles

Craggy Gardens might be one of the “blockbuster” hikes near Asheville, but it’s also our favorite for the views, picnic area, and proximity to Asheville along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We pack charcoal and food to cook on the grills. Plus, you have to dip over to the gazebo and spend time in Craggy Flats, enjoying the view from under the tree. Not to mention the great vistas from the visitor center along with cute souvenirs. If you time it right, catch summer rhododendron. Wear layers, though, as it gets chilly up here.

Just past Craggy Gardens, we also champion Craggy Pinnacle, a 1.4-mile out and back to a 5,892-foot summit.

Trombatore Trail To Blue Ridge Pastures

Length: 5 miles round trip
Difficulty Level: Moderate to more difficult; Conserving Carolina marks this trail as “strenuous”
Duration Of Hike: 3+ hours
Type Of Hike: Out and back, marked posts, forest stairs, no facilities, largely isolated, streams, pasture with views; park on side of road
Address: Trombatore Trailhead at Bear Wallow Rd, Fairview, NC 28730
Distance From Asheville: 43 minutes; 22 miles

For me, Conserving Carolina has some of the best maintained trails (Wild Cat Rock is also great) and they are constantly building them. We don’t often hear hikers talk about Bearwallow’s longer and harder neighbor, Trombatore Trail, but it’s just as worthy for the pasture views and terrific workout. Pack a picnic or snacks, and even consider tacking on Bearwallow Mountain. From Blue Ridge Pastures, spy Mount Mitchell and Black Mountain (North), Hickory Nut Gorge, and Bearwallow Mountain (South).

For a family-friendly hike, across the street, trek Bearwallow Mountain Trail, which boasts side-eyeing cows and scenic views. Bearwallow is a 2-mile trek with the option to combine the gravel access road and forest trail to form a loop.

Low-Key Strolls & Hikes In Asheville

If time is not on our side, we also enjoy the casual nature trails in Asheville proper. A few spots we hike in Asheville include:

Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Numerous trails and great for mountain biking
The NC Arboretum – We are members; you either have to pay for parking or a membership; along with trails, find gardens and a bistro
Biltmore Estate – We are annual passholders; you’ll need a ticket, overnight property reservation, or annual pass to access the 22+ miles of hiking and biking trails
Beaver Lake – Casually stroll the flat, 2.1-mile perimeter trail

Continue Exploring The Great Outdoors

Walk these public and private Asheville parks and gardens
See where to rollerblade and roller skate in Asheville
Get in tune with Asheville lake life

Christine Frascarelli

4 Comments

wendy Fezer says:

February 3, 2022 at 6:42 pm

As a new subscriber, I just want to say that your articles are very interesting and informative. Thank you so much for sharing so much information. 😊

1. Christine says:
  
  February 4, 2022 at 8:28 am
  
  I appreciate that so much! Thank you!
  
Sarah says:

September 20, 2020 at 8:55 pm

There are so many great sounding hiking trails around Ashville. It kind of reminds me of where I live as there are so many trails and hiking spots to check out. Even though I’m not really into hiking, much to my husbands dismay, I think it would be fantastic to visit some of these trails just for the scenery alone. I like how there are different lengths and difficulties so those who aren’t big on hiking can still get out and enjoy the trails without beating themselves up along the way.

1. Christine says:
  
  September 24, 2020 at 2:00 pm
  
  I cannot believe how many hiking trails there are around Asheville. This isn’t even half of them. Some of the Asheville trails are more like casual nature walks if hiking isn’t your thing. Those walks are always chiller and more pleasant, especially at places like Biltmore, The NC Arboretum, and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.

TS/Hurricane Helene Update