Our company name comes from Greybeard Mountain, the tallest mountain in Montreat, just beside Black Mountain, NC. You may assume from our company being named after a local mountain that we love being outside -- and that's true! We also enjoy assisting you with resources to experience these wonderful mountains. So, we've compiled a list of some hikes near Asheville and Black Mountain and given a glimpse into what you can reach while on a sunny day drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The possibilities are endless for outdoor excursions being so close to the best state parks and national parks in NC!
Hikes in the Asheville Area
Dupont State Forest; Cedar Rock Mountain
The Blue Ridge Parkway is home to a wide selection of hiking options near the Asheville entry points. Some good Asheville area hikes are located between mile marker 350 to 410. Craggy Gardens and Craggy Pinnacle Trail, quick 1.5-mile round trip hike off the Parkway. The trailhead is located near the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center at mile marker 364. Other recommended hikes that are accessible from the Parkway include Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, Mountain Pisgah and Frying Pan Mountain Tower.
Looking for more hikes that are within close access of Asheville? Take a look at our guide for hiking trails that are close to downtown Asheville and our winter hiking guide if you will be hiking during the colder winter months.
Popular Waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest
- The hike to the 50 foot Moore Cove Falls is a quick .7 mile walk from the parking area off of Highway 276.
- Looking Glass Falls is essentially right off Highway 276 (and visible from the road) and has parking off the highway and stairs and a ramp to access the base of the falls.
- In the summer months, what could be more refreshing than zipping down a natural water slide? Sliding Rock Falls has just that in its 60-foot rock slide to the base's 8-foot deep pool of water.
- Besides Dupont State Forests' Triple Falls and Hooker Falls claim to fame as sites for scenes in the movie Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans, the Dupont State Forest area contains a whole roadway that leads to trailheads to hike to waterfalls or to catch some great views from Cedar Rock Mountain. Cedar Rock Mountain trail is also a great spot for mountain biking. Get more info on Dupont State Forest waterfalls and directions here.
For more suggestions on waterfall hikes, see our waterfall hikes page.
Hikes in Black Mountain Area
- Black Mountain is located next to the prime wilderness area of Montreat. Montreat contains a huge network of trails and beautiful views. A select few trails are also available for mountain biking. The Montreat trail map can be accessed online here. Lookout Trail is one of the more popular trails and summits, but some other great hikes include Big
Catawba Falls in Old Fort, NC
Piney, Rattlesnake, and our namesake and the highest mountain in Montreat, Greybeard Trail. - It's about an hour drive from Black Mountain, but the 12,000 acre Linville Gorge wilderness area, also known as "the Grand Canyon of the East," has unparalleled views year round and options for hikes with a view, waterfall hikes, or you can even explore the base of the gorge where the Linville River flows. For specific hike recommendations, Hawksbill and Table Rock provide some great perspectives of the Gorge.
- A quick 10-15 minute drive down the mountain on I-40 East from Black Mountain will bring you to the hidden gem of Catawba Falls trail. The hike itself is about three miles roundtrip and fairly low elevation gain. The trails around Mt. Mitchell, including its 6,684 summit, are worth a visit so you can enjoy the spectacular view atop the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River.
More suggestions for hikes that are close to Black Mountain, can be accessed here.
We've seriously only scratched the surface. Here are a couple of other great resources for State and National Parks in NC hiking information: