Plan Your Hiking Adventure in Western North Carolina
WNC Trails helps simplify the process by guiding you to the best places to hike, stay, eat, and explore — whether you're visiting for a weekend or planning a longer mountain getaway.
Choose Your Base Camp
Western North Carolina offers several great mountain towns that provide easy access to hiking trails.
Asheville
The most popular base for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains — incredible restaurants, breweries, and quick access to the Parkway and Pisgah National Forest.
Learn More →Brevard
Known as the Land of Waterfalls, perfect for visitors interested in waterfall hikes and forest adventures.
Learn More →Boone
Located in the northern Blue Ridge Mountains, with scenic mountain views and access to high-elevation trails.
Learn More →Cherokee
A beautiful destination near the Great Smoky Mountains, rich in history and natural beauty.
Learn More →Hendersonville
A scenic mountain town near Asheville known for apple orchards, historic downtown, and easy trail access.
Learn More →Black Mountain
A charming small town just east of Asheville with mountain views, art galleries, and cozy cafés.
Learn More →Hot Springs
Where the Appalachian Trail runs down Main Street — a tiny forest town with natural hot springs, Lover's Leap, and Max Patch a short drive away.
Learn More →Choose Your Hiking Trails
Western North Carolina has hiking trails for every skill level. Explore some of our most popular guides.
Find The Perfect Place To Stay
After choosing your hiking destinations, the next step is selecting the right accommodation.
Discover Local Food & Drinks
After a day exploring the mountains, WNC offers incredible food and drink experiences to relax after your hike.
Check Local Events
Depending on the time of year, you may find outdoor festivals, trail races, farmers markets, and seasonal celebrations happening across the region.
3-Day Hiking Itinerary
A suggested day-by-day plan for a long weekend in Western North Carolina.
Arrive & find your legs near Asheville
- Afternoon: Drive in, lunch downtown, then an easy Blue Ridge Parkway warm-up —Craggy Gardens(1.5 mi, big ridge views) or a short stretch of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Craven Gap.
- Evening: Dinner in West Asheville, pick up any last supplies, and turn in early — tomorrow is the big day.
A full day in Pisgah, from Brevard
- Morning: Drive about 45 minutes to the Pisgah Ranger District and climbLooking Glass Rock(6.5 mi, strenuous, summit views) — or swap inJohn Rock(5 mi, moderate) for a shorter day.
- Midday: Cool off at Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock, right off US-276.
- Afternoon: One more short stop —Moore Cove Falls(1.4 mi, walk behind the falls).
- Evening: Dinner in Brevard, then the drive back to your base.
Parkway high country, then home
- Morning: Head south on the Parkway toGraveyard Fields(3.2 mi loop, two waterfalls), or upBlack Balsam Knobfor an open, grassy bald with 360-degree views.
- Lunch: Picnic at an overlook or stop at the Pisgah Inn.
- Afternoon: A short final walk to Craggy Pinnacle, then point the car home.
Before you go: Reserve Davidson River Campground early for weekends. Trails and the Parkway are busiest April through October and during fall color (early-to-mid October). In winter, check the National Park Service site for Blue Ridge Parkway closures.
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