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.)

“We look forward to supporting Sorella Cycling and spreading the word about the importance of women’s fitness. We also hope to introduce the new team members, outdoor travelers and families to the beautiful and inspiring mountain and wilderness surroundings of the Blue Ridge area,” said Pamela Miracle, President and Co-Founder of EBR. EBR will serve as host for the Sorella March Training Camp, provide accommodations at a special rate to Sorella Cycling members so they can stay and train throughout 2009 and provide aid for the Cohutta 65 and 100 Mountain Bike Endurance Races on Saturday April 25, 2009.

“We at Sorella Cycling are excited and honored to be sponsored by EBR. The Blue Ridge area and EBR provide the qualities and opportunities that we are looking to offer our race team and club members alike, including challenging and fun riding trails and great hospitality and accommodations. We look forward to our upcoming training rides in Blue Ridge and our stays at EBR,” said Christina Searles Tai, Sorella Cycling Vice President.

With cancellations of previously scheduled events that would have come through the area, such as the Tour de Georgia 2009, nixed due to lack of sponsorship dollars, EscapeToBlueRidge.com felt strongly about stepping up to the plate to help stimulate other outdoor area events. In addition, the EBR team plans to educate visitors about area offerings such as the Aska Adventure region, Lake Blue Ridge, Toccoa River, Cohutta Wilderness Areas, among other North Georgia mountain activities. The mountainous region is well suited for both athletic training or enjoying family oriented sports such as hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting and fly fishing year round.

The easy escape for Southeast travelers from surrounding Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, the Carolina’s and Atlanta, has fueled the expansion of EBR’s custom, cabin roster from a cozy trio of cabins to an impressive offering of 38 in just 22 short months. Despite travelers’ quick shrinking disposable incomes and overall travel industry slump, this supreme team of mountain hosts have welcomed more than 6,000 guests in 2008 due to exceptional customer service, an on-site concierge offering Best-In-Class services and the overall outstanding value of an EBR vacation experience.

About Escape to Blue Ridge
The Escape to Blue Ridge™ team has invested heart and soul in providing guests with the most luxurious Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rentals possible. Located a hassle-free 90 minutes from the Atlanta area airport, our Blue Ridge Mountain cabins are the ultimate Southeast stay-cation choice. Each of the 38, privately owned, custom cabin accommodations offer privacy and tranquility in an upscale setting while an on-site concierge provides Best-In Class services and amenities. Enjoy a variety of fun-tastic mountain and outdoor activities in the surrounding Blue Ridge, GA area – there is something for guests of all ages. EBR’s mission is to ensure that each guest’s north Georgia cabin rental vacation will be a fond memory that they will want to relive and recommend to others time and again. Relax.Recharge.Reconnect. at EscapeToBlueRidge.com.

About Sorella Cycling
Sorella Cycling’s mission is to foster a supportive and open environment for women of all ages and abilities to ride their bicycles for fitness, recreation and racing. The founding members of Sorella are a group of 150 talented women, both on and off their bicycles, who want to encourage and promote community in a women’s cycling club. Sorella’s veteran riders and racers conduct women’s cycling clinics including skills, safety, and maintenance and provide mentoring to members.

Sorella Cycling was honored to recently receive the 2008 Division III Club of the Year award from USA Cycling. Sorella Cycling received high marks from USA Cycling for offering 24 clinics and seminars to their club and community in 2008. Sorella has 27 USA Cycling licensed females (Division III is 1-29 race team members) and race team and club members alike are extremely active in charitable activities including volunteering as cycling guides for wheelchair racers in the ING Marathon and participants in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, trail maintenance work, providing food for a local Atlanta homeless shelter, and much more.

For more, visit SorellaCycling.org.