Outdoor Adventures

Asheville is the perfect place to home base your next hiking adventure. Hiking trails in the Asheville area are great for all hiking experience levels, and all boast amazing views and mountain scenery.

There are so many ways to explore the WNC mountains. On land you can hike or bike. In the water you can raft or swim. How can you explore the mountain forests by air? With a zip line of course! Harness yourself to an exciting adventure and glide through the canopy like a bird.

There's always something around the bend with these scenic drives throughout the Asheville area.

Looking for an authentic taste of Western North Carolina? Check out Asheville-area tailgate markets. Explore stalls of fresh fruits, vegetables and locally produced food. It's a unique and fun way to support sustainable agriculture, community farmers, and the local farm-to-table movement.

Water adventures in the Asheville area range wildly from whitewater rafting to a unique natural waterslide in nearby Transylvania County. Explorers can also expect to find fun swimming holes and beautiful waterfalls. Western North Carolina is perfect for explorers who don't mind getting wet.

Explore Asheville's parks, trails and recreation spots with this area map.

The mountains of Western North Carolina offer exciting challenges to bikers of every level. Whether you want to quietly pedal along the lanes of our small towns or take your mountain bike over a challenging trail through the Pisgah Mountains, our varied terrain makes it an excellent place to bike.

Asheville's glow can easily be escaped with a short drive into the surrounding mountains. With over 50 named peaks above 6,000 feet, Western North Carolina reigns for those who seek higher elevation.

Asheville area businesses have plenty to offer horsemen and horsewomen of any skill level. Check these spots for a variety of excursions, horse rentals, trail rides, tack supplies and other services, amenities and events. Be sure to make advance reservations when planning any guided trips.