Explore the Best Trails of Asheville, North Carolina
Peaceful waterfalls, dramatic mountain vistas, bountiful nature preserves, and, of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park--there's no better place to hit the trails than the Asheville area. With the expert guidance of accomplished hiker and local author Jennifer Pharr Davis, you'll find plenty of popular routes and hidden hiking treasures.
These 35 five-star hiking trails are for all levels and interests, and they range widely in elevation, distance, and difficulty. Davis details everything from easy strolls in the deep woods to thrilling treks atop mountains. GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads help you get to where you're going. Trail descriptions and expert insights into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes enhance your enjoyment along the way. Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children help to ensure that you quickly find the perfect trip.
Save time and make the most of your hiking adventures. Experience the best of Asheville's breathtaking scenery, varied terrain, and amazing wildlife. Lace up, grab your pack, and hit the trail!
About the Author:
JENNIFER PHARR DAVIS grew up in the North Carolina mountains, where day hiking was part of her life with her parents and two older brothers. At age 21, she took on the entire Appalachian Trail (AT) as a solo female and fell in love with long-distance backpacking.
In 2011, she set the overall record for completing the AT, covering the entire trail in 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes and averaging a remarkable 47 miles per day. Even though this record has since been eclipsed, she remains the fastest woman on record to hike the AT.
She has logged more than 14,000 miles of North American trails. In addition to the AT, those treks include the Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont's Long Trail, and the Colorado Trail. Traveling to six continents to exercise her hiking wanderlust, she cites Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, Peru's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and Australia's 600-mile Bibbulmun Track among her international highlights.
Jennifer has written six books, including three North Carolina guidebooks; two hiking memoirs, Becoming Odyssa and Called Again; and her latest, The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience. She has also written articles for the New York Times, Outside magazine, Backpacker, and Trail Runner, and has been featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Daily Beast, NPR's Talk of the Nation, and the CBS Early Show.
In 2016, Jennifer was the recipient of the prestigious Laurel Wreath Award, bestowed upon her by the State of North Carolina for her outstanding athletic achievements.
Jennifer lives in Asheville with her husband, Brew; daughter, Charley; and son, Gus. In addition to the important job of being a mom, she is also the owner and founder of Blue Ridge Hiking Company. For the latest on Jennifer, check out blueridgehikingco.com.
