15 Easy Hiking Trails near Asheville, NC
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6. Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock State Park
- Distance from Asheville: 40 min (Highway 64/74A Chimney Rock). Admission: $17 adults, $8 youth
- Highlight: Access to the 2nd tallest waterfall in North Carolina
- Hike distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
Update: As of spring 2025, this park is temporarily closed following the damaging effects of Hurricane Helene. Please check with the park regularly for updates.
The state’s second tallest waterfall is easily accessible via a short 0.7 mile out-and-back hike at Chimney Rock State Park. While the 500 step climb is quite a feat, the hike to Hickory Nut Falls is peaceful without much elevation gain. In fact, it’s a great place to unwind after the hard hike up Chimney. A lovely low key trek through the woods will lead you to an up close view of the 404 foot tall beauty featured in The Last of the Mohicans. You can stand in front of this amazing waterfall for a really cool photo opp. Gorgeous in the fall, super quiet during the winter months, and alive with wildflowers in the spring/summer – anytime of the year offers its’ own unique beauty. Also, this is a great place for bird watching – be on the lookout for Green Warblers and Scarlet Tanagers during spring migration.
Read more about my experience visiting Chimney
7. Carolina Mountain/Bent Creek trail
- Distance from Asheville: 20 min (100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way). Parking: $16
- Highlight: Peaceful creek views
- Hike distance: 2 mile loop
This is another picturesque easy trail located at the North Carolina Arboretum. A bit longer and more “hike-like” than the nature trail, so a great choice if you are up for more of a workout. No big mountain views on this one, however, the trail winds through a beautiful forest with tranquil views of the creek. You will get to observe local plants and possibly wildlife along the way. It’s relatively easy in terms of difficulty for the majority of the trek, minus a short, but intense uphill section near the end. Lots of dense trees, making this and any other arboretum trail, the perfect shady escape on a hot summer day. After your walk, treat yourself to a light al fresco lunch at the on-site Bent Creek bistro featuring locally sourced foods and a beautiful shady patio.
8. Moore Cove Falls
- Distance from Asheville: 50 min (Hwy 276 Brevard)
- Highlight: The only waterfall you can walk under
- Hike distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
Moore Cove Falls, a 50 foot tall free falling waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest, claims the distinction of being the only waterfall which you stand stand underneath. Not surprisingly, this desirable aspect draws a fair number of tourists and parking fills up fast on weekends. Because of the limited number of spots, you will want to get here early. The hike itself is pretty peaceful with dense trees throughout, as well as a number of small creeks and streams. Another bonus of this hike is its’ close proximity (located just a mile down the road) from Looking Glass Falls – an amazing roadside waterfall.
Read more about my experience hiking to Moore Cove
9. Lower Graveyard Falls
- Distance from Asheville: 1 hour (Parkway MP 418.8)
- Highlight: Beautiful fall foliage
- Hike distance: 0.25 miles out-and-back
The Graveyard Falls loop trail is amongst the popular hikes on the Parkway. With 2 waterfalls accessible via a moderate hike of just 3.5 miles, plus terrific leaf peeping in the fall, you really get a lot of bang-for-your-buck on this one. While the full hike is moderate with a fairly steep trek up to the Upper Falls, Lower Falls is more easily accessible via a simple quarter mile walk. As long as your legs are able to handle a few staircases, you will fine. In return for your brief Stairmaster workout, you will get to enjoy a powerful 55 foot waterfall. This one is really stunning in fall as colorful foliage drapes around the waterfall creating a picture-perfect Carolina autumn scene.
10. Roaring Fork Falls
- Distance from Asheville: 1 hour (208 Busick Work Center Rd, Burnsville)
- Highlight: Serene forest setting
- Hike distance: 0.7 miles out-and-back
The incredibly photogenic 100 ft Roaring Fork waterfall is also one of the easiest to hike to in Western North Carolina. Surprisingly, it also remains a hidden gem, not overly visited by tourists. If you arrive early enough in the morning, you will likely be alone with beautiful nature. This hike is located within the beautiful Pisgah National Forest and is lined with dense trees. With plenty of shade, lovely views of the forest, and a well-maintained, easy to follow trail – this hidden gem is easily one of the best waterfall hikes in Western North Carolina.
Read more about my experience hiking this relaxing creekside stroll
