Exploring the great outdoors during your visit to Asheville has never been more rewarding! There’s nothing better then having a hearty breakfast on our beautiful outdoor patio and then exploring some of the many hiking trails in Asheville. This blog highlights some of our favorites that are near the inn. On your arrival day, we like to recommend exploring our own nature trail that includes a two mile hike around our serenity pond, horseshoe pit and ending at our Rustic Tea House. Explore the abundant greenery and breathtaking landscapes around the Blue Ridge Parkway while you enjoy some Hiking in Asheville! Here are some of our favorite hiking spots.
Whether you consider yourself an adventurer or are just looking to relax, our Asheville mountain lodge is the perfect place for you. Our friends at Romantic Asheville have put together a helpful list of 75 Blue Ridge Mountain Hiking Trails. As you can see our area is filled with beautiful mountain terrain and scenery and well maintained hiking trails for you to enjoy during your stay at the VERY best Bed and Breakfast in Asheville- the Sourwood Inn.
6 of the Best Spots for Hiking Trails in Asheville
1. Mountain to Sea Trail: Craven Gap to Lake Pinnacle
Length: 11.1 mi Route type: Out & back Elevation: 3,182ft Difficulty: Hard Distance from the inn: 24 miles
Take a journey on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail as it climbs from the middling Elk Mountains to the heights of the Great Craggy Mountains that dominate the Swannanoa Valley. Much of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Bull Gap to Lane Pinnacle is part of an old carriage road system that was intended to be a scenic mountain highway, before the Blue Ridge Parkway was built. Once you hike past the lodge remnants the crowds disappear as you climb in earnest to the crest of the Bull Mountain massif. The ridgeline heading towards the lofty Lane Pinnacle hovers around 4,800 feet, but it’ll feel much higher. Lane Pinnacle at 5,230 feet is one of the big peaks of the Great Craggies and readily identifiable from I-40. The tiny summit offers outstanding views of the Beetree Reservoir with the Swannanoa Mountains and Hickory Nut Mountains rising behind.
This trailhead has lots of elevation change. Most hikers will see tons of wildlife including: whitetail deer, many different birds, chipmunks and squirrels and wildflowers. The top pinnacle has a great semi-panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
2. Mountain to Sea Trail: Folk Art Center to Haw Creek Outlook
Length: 4.7mi Route type: Out & back Elevation: 813 Difficulty: Easy Distance from the inn: 21miles
For a shorter more easy walk check our the trail head beginning at Folk Art Center on the Mountains–to Sea Trail heading North to an area just above the Haw Creek Valley Overlook. Trail follows Blue Ridge Parkway roadway North from Folk Art Center MP 382.0 to mountain just above Haw Creek Valley Overlook MP 380. Along the way you’ll see plenty of wildflowers and birdlife with wonderful views at the Overlook.
3. Richmond Hill Park Trail
Length: 2.8 mi Route type: Loop Difficulty: Easy Distance from the inn: 11 miles
Easy walking trails that begins with an information board in the parking area and enters the thick forrest. Along the way you will pass by a river. Continue straight ahead for a quarter mile to a four way intersection. Turn right. From this point bear left at all intersecting trails to make a loop of about three miles. As with many of the hiking trails in the area beware of poison ivy which grows freely along the hiking trails.
4. Bent Creek Network: Wolf Branch Loop
Length: 7.3 mi. Elevation gain: 1,003 ft. Route type:. Loop Difficulty: Moderate: Distance from the inn: 19 miles
Looking for a hike when you can get your feet wet afterwards? Bent Creek Recreational Area features many trails ranging from beginner to expert and is a great place to spend an afternoon The Park includes a small stream and a larger lake for fishing. Easy trail around a beautiful mountain lake.
5. Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
Length: 3.7 mi. Elevation gain: 882 ft. Route type: Loop Difficulty: Moderate Distance from the inn: 14 miles
Every good hiking trail should come with a great story and this one has the best- A hike to Rattlesnake Lodge is a fascinating trip back in time. The pleasant wooded hike just north of Asheville brings you to the remains of the summer retreat of Dr. Chase Ambler. The Ambler family enjoyed the lodge and surrounding property in the early 1900’s and gave it a most unusual name. Rattlesnake Lodge was aptly named as 41 rattlesnakes were said to have been killed in the first three years the Amblers were there. The snake skins were hung on the living room ceiling. Certainly an interesting decorating choice!
6. Craggy Gardens
Length 1.9 mi Elevation gain 574 ft Route type Out & back Difficulty: Moderate Distance from the Inn: 13 miles
In early summer, Craggy Gardens becomes a mountain-sized bouquet when the rhododendron thickets on the upper heights cover the landscape in pink and purple. A favorite hiking trail, Craggy Pinnacle, leads hikers through a “tunnel” of rhododendron to the summit which offers 360-degree view. Check out a previous blog for more details and pictures.
7. Moore Cove Falls Trail
Length:1.2 mi. Elevation gain: 154ft. Route type:. Out and Back Difficulty: Moderate: Distance from the inn: 14 miles
Leaving the best for last as this one is our favorite and has the reward of a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail. A nicely maintained trail that leads to a breathtaking waterfall that you can easily walk behind and be sprayed with a refreshing mountain water shower.
We are Here to Help plan your Hiking Adventure
We want all of our guests that stay at the Sourwood Inn to feel pampered and relaxed. Our Sourwood team are always available to help you plan the hiking adventure of a lifetime! Please feel free to ask us any questions about the area. We have tons on maps and brochures for guests looking for walking and hiking recommendations.
Book Your Stay Today!
You’ll love coming back and relaxing at the Sourwood Inn after your busy day of Asheville hiking. Relax on our beautiful covered porch with an afternoon glass of wine or Craft Beer (we have a wine and beer license) that pairs perfectly with our savory afternoon refreshments.
Browse through our comfortable accommodations, all with peaceful mountain and forest views, to start planning your Asheville mountain getaway. Each of our rooms has been designed with your comfort in mind and includes a luxurious private bath, complete with a soaker tub, separate shower, all with mountain views too. Plus, you’ll be treated to our pampering amenities and a complimentary welcome glass of sparkling wine, a bountiful breakfast buffet and afternoon refreshments.
Come stay with us and see what all of the excitement is about. You can book your stay here.
