Asheville is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and laid-back vibe. But it is the city’s proximity to some of the southeast’s top demanding trails that make this a tremendous home base for hikers. Who can blame a serious outdoorsman for concluding an aggressive hike by partaking in a locally brewed craft beer or an indulgent dining experience in the ”Land of the Sky”? These are the top 5 challenging day hikes within 40 miles of Asheville, North Carolina.
CONTENTS
00:00 Teaser Overview
01:13 #5 Graybeard Trail
03:44 #4 Black Balsams
06:14 #3 Mt Mitchell Trail
08:47 #2 Shining Rock
11:15 #1 Deep Gap Trail
13:45 Trail Comparison
#5 Graybeard Trail
When consumed in clouds with the summit exposed, this range gives the appearance of having a “gray beard”. This is one of Western North Carolina's preeminent 5,000-footers located near the town of Montreat. The summit is reached through a gradual but unrelenting trail that partially uses an old narrow gauge railroad path. It is the highest of the Middle Mountain peaks, known locally as the Seven Sisters. Three quarters up the ascent is a spur to Walker Knob, a stop-off that provides views possibly more impressive than the Graybeard summit itself. But don’t stop here as you must reach the top to declare victory over the “father” of the Seven Sisters.
#4 Black Balsam’s Four Peaks
The peaks of the Great Balsam Mountains include some of the most impressive mountain balds in the Southern Appalachians. The area offers a reasonable yet challenging day hike to four 6,000-foot summits: Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, Grassy Cove Top and Sam Knob. It starts along the famed Art Loeb Trail where hikers can loop through the first three summits, a legendary trek with an alpine appearance and sweeping vistas. Back at the trailhead Sam Knob can also be reached to experience even more sublime views These summits will remind you more of New England or the Sound of Music than the typical tree filled Carolina mountaintops.
#3 Mount Mitchell Trail
This epic trail to the highest peak in the eastern United States is the stuff of hiking legend. Mount Mitchell is the fifth most isolated peak in all of North America, almost 1,200 miles from another peak of its size. Mount Mitchell receives 75 inches of annual snowfall and can impart blistering winds at the summit. But with the potential for severe weather also comes the opportunity for dramatic views and a reason why Mount Mitchell is one of the first state parks in the country. Don’t be distracted by folks at the summit who have a brief walk from their car to the observation deck. Starting at the base of the mountain and climbing 3,700 feet of elevation is an epic experience that should place the Mount Mitchell Trail on any serious hiker’s bucket list.
#2 Shining Rock via Old Butt Knob
The Shining Rock Wilderness is one of the first protected areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System and includes over 18,000 acres, making it the largest Wilderness Area in the state. It encompasses five mountains that rise above 6,000 feet, including Shining Rock itself. From the Shining Creek Trailhead, our trek mates up with the Old Butt Knob Trail, one the steepest climbs in the Southeast and the most difficult hike on this list. For those who choose to tackle this rigorous climb, however, spectacular panoramic views and diverse natural habitat await.
#1 Deep Gap Trail
The Black Mountains of North Carolina are home to the highest peaks East of the Mississippi River. Across from the grandaddy Mount Mitchell summit is the Deep Gap Trail - a challenging hike that traverses the Black Mountain Crestline and takes you across five spectacular peaks. The high elevation and prominence of the ridgeline can bring about severe weather, including winds up to 178 miles per hour. It also means that the mountain tops are quite colder than surrounding towns - often kissing the clouds and limiting views. But when conditions are right, the trees give way to a plethora of absolutely breathtaking lookouts - and making this the top hike in the Asheville area.
Trail Comparison
Our top 5 hikes flank the eastern and western sides of Asheville and are all easily within an hour’s drive of the mountain town. Although each trek is challenging, they have varying degrees of difficulty and different reasons that make it challenging. This chart rates four difficulty components as well as provides many other useful trial attributes. If you choose to tackle one of these beasts, hopefully this will give you an idea of what you’re getting into.