The Most Scenic Views near Asheville
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Asheville, most popular for being a foodie and artist’s haven, is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway, along with hundreds of waterfalls and hiking trails, lie just outside the city limits. The true appeal of the city is its’ proximity to so many natural wonders. Below are the most scenic viewpoints located within an hour and a half of the city. Plan a relaxing daytrip – lace up your hiking shoes, enjoy some fresh air, get in a quality workout, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the enchanting Blue Ridge mountains. With so many gorgeous places, my list (compiled after 2 years living in the area) will help you narrow down the best-of-the-best the Western North Carolina region has to offer.
Craggy Pinnacle
This super short hike of just under a mile and a half RT takes you up to a dramatic viewpoint of the Blue Ridge mountains. At 5892 feet, the views are quite stunning. The “Craggies” get their name from the jagged points of the mountains. For anyone looking for an out-of-this-world view with little effort required, this short & steep summit hike will not disappoint.
Milepost 364
Dupont State Forest
Dupont State Forest is a wonderful place to hike. As you will get to see 3 incredible waterfalls and a covered bridge all within a moderate 3 mile hike, Triple Falls is highly worth putting on your Western North Carolina bucket list. Featuring two 125 foot waterfalls (High & Triple Falls), a powerfully wide waterfall (Hooker Falls), and a picturesque covered bridge, this is DuPont State Forest’s finest (and most popular) hike. Add in terrific fall foliage and the opportunity to see a movie filming location (The Hunger Games was filmed at the base).
1300 Station Rd. Cedar Mountain
Haywood Jackson overlook
This little visited overlook near the wonderful Richard Balsam summit trail (6410 ft) offers the most dazzling mountain views. Combine a hike to the Parkway’s highest summit (1.5 miles) with a picnic lunch and enjoy the fabulous mountain scenery for the afternoon (picnic table on site). At this high of an altitude (6020ft), the air is fresh, the temps cool, and the pine scenery really refreshing. Right down the road you can take your picture next to “the highest point on the Parkway” sign.
Milepost 431
Black Balsam Knob
At 6214 Feet, Black Balsam Knob is the 2nd highest mountain in the Great Balsam range. This treeless bald (there are several in the Appalachians) is quite unique as the mountain views are totally unobstructed. In fact, this hike feels more alpine in nature, and thus, a great choice if you are seeking something different after several waterfall hikes. The trek is steep, but relatively short, ending at a jaw dropping overlook where the views seem to go on forever. You may feel like singing The Sound of Music as you take in the awe inspiring sights all around you.
Milepost 420
Catawba Falls
Catawba, a 100 foot multi tiered waterfall, is located close to downtown Asheville (just 25 min away), making it one of the more easily accessible waterfalls. This one is quite photogenic as it consists of so many beautiful cascades. Add in tremendous fall foliage, and you have a real winner here. At just 3 miles RT, this one is just challenging enough (yet not exhausting) for regular gym goers. Note: this one is busy most of the year, so you will want to plan for an early/weekday hike.
3074 Catawba River Rd. Old Fort
