Top 10 mountain hiking trails in Asheville, NC

There are thousands of Asheville hiking trails in the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Popular online travel guide to Asheville, www.RomanticAsheville.com, selected its top 10 easy and FREE day hikes for 2009.

1. Gorges State Park
New parking and trails open in May for much better access to rugged river gorges. Hike along the Horsepasture River to see several waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls.

2. Mt. Mitchell
After enjoying the 360-degree vistas from the new observation deck atop the highest peak east of the Rockies, head to the Deep Gap Trail and hike over four more peaks over 6,000 feet.

3. Craggy Gardens
The Blue Ridge Parkway reopens here in May after more than a year of repairs. The Craggy Gardens Trail takes you across a rhododendron bald, and a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to Craggy Pinnacle offers panoramic views.

4. Point Lookout Trail
This new 3.6-mile paved greenway climbs 900 feet in elevation in Pisgah National Forest. Bike or hike from Old Fort and enjoy mountain views.

5. Dupont State Forest
The best waterfall hike is a three mile trail to three waterfalls, including the impressive 150-foot High Falls with great places for wading and waterside picnics.

6. Max Patch
Hike the loop around the summit or continue further on the Appalachian Trail to enjoy breathtaking views from this bald mountaintop.

7. Cold Mountain
This famous mountain offers a strenuous 10.6-mile roundtrip hike to its summit. The hike includes a 2,800 foot elevation gain to the 6,030-foot peak.

8. Graveyard Fields
This highland hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway features a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks. With an easy four mile hike, you see two nice waterfalls.

9. Black Balsam Knob
Hike across more spectacular mountain balds. These treeless mountaintops offer sweeping views and alpine-like appearance. Hike three miles without dropping back into the trees.

10. Urban Trail
If you are looking for an urban hike, walk the 1.7-mile journey that showcases the art and history of Asheville, with 30 downtown stops, each with public sculpture.

For details on these trails plus others, see the comprehensive Asheville hiking and waterfall guides at www.romanticasheville.com/hiking.html.

North Carolina Hiking Tips

• Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
• Go early to avoid crowds and heat.
• Take extra clothes and rain gear, in case of a quick weather change. With the exception of the Chimney Rock hike, expect much cooler conditions on the trails we recommend. Wear layers.
• Stay on marked trails. Do not disturb any wildlife or plantlife.
• Take plenty of drinking water. Although it may be tempting, don’t drink from the streams.
• Take a cell phone in case of emergency. Coverage is surprising good on some mountaintops, although it is spotty in some valleys. But have it turned off so it won’t ring while you are trying to “get away from it all!”
• Take hiking maps and snacks, especially if you are going on a longer trail.
• If you have an emergency along the Parkway, call 1-800-ParkWatch. Otherwise, call 911.
• Trail lengths can be misleading if the trail has a big elevation gain. We do have the highest mountains in the eastern USA.
• Dogs are allowed on most hiking trails (on a leash), except in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pet Friendly Asheville
• Research ahead of time. (http://www.romanticasheville.com/books.htm.)