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What a glorious fall it has been this year in Western North Carolina! By now the peak color has descended into the 1000’ – 2000’ elevation range. Fall color in Asheville continues to be stunning, especially with the clear sunny days and cool crisp nights we’ve had all week! If you hurry you can still catch the leaves while they’re still in town. Still need some time? Not to worry, because fall color will continue to descend to lower elevations. Chimney Rock State Park, with great views of Lake Lure and the foothills region, is only just now starting to see peak color. Sourwoods, dogwoods, maples, white oaks, red oaks, ash trees, poplars and hickory all contribute to the explosive patchwork of bright red, burgundy, deep red, yellow, gold and blazing orange. Chimney Rock is just 25 miles away and their leaf season lasts a bit longer due to the lower elevation.
Peak fall foliage at the North Carolina Arboretum
Check out the UNCA Botanical Gardens, the North Carolina Arboretum, the Folk Art Center and the gardens of Biltmore for more places to find beautiful fall color in the Asheville area.
Great Hikes This Week
The Hickory Nut Falls Trail at Chimney Rock State Park is a 1.5-mile old Jeep trail that takes guests to the bottom of Hickory Nut Falls. The trail has several moderate uphill sections and a small set of stairs at the base of the falls. This trail is recommended for families with small children.
 A bonsai gingko tree at the North Carolina Arboretum |
Enjoy an easy to moderate, late fall hike to the site of Rattlesnake Lodge. The 2-hour, 3-mile round trip hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail will start at Bull Gap, approximately 8 miles north of Asheville. Follow the Parkway to MP 375.6; turn left at the Vance Birthplace/Weaverville sign; turn right onto Ox Creek Road; and look for a small parking area and access to the MTS trail on the right.
For a more challenging hike coupled with a scenic drive, head up Town Mountain Road, accessible from College St. After 6 miles you will reach Craven Gap and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trailhead is located right by the gravel parking area. In addition to the abundance of fall color, you will see a variety of wild mushrooms and even some wild cactus on the side of the trail.
Asheville Scenic Drives
Asheville Lookouts on Town Mountain and Elk Mountain
Why go? Cruise along high peaks while staying close to town so you can still make your dinner reservation.
Directions: Take I-240 east to exit 5B. Take a right onto Charlotte St. At the next traffic light, take a left onto College St. At the next light, take a left onto Town Mountain Rd. Follow this for about 6.3 miles, until you reach a crossroads. You may park here to access some hiking trails, or continue by taking a left at the stop sign which puts you on the Blue Ridge Parkway heading north. Take a left onto Ox Creek Rd. At the stop sign, take a left onto Elk Mountain Scenic Hwy. Follow this to the end, then take a right onto Beaverdam Rd. Take a left onto Merrimon Ave., which will bring you back downtown.
Total driving time: 45 minutes
Beaver Lake & Botanical Gardens
Why go? To see the UNCA Botanical Gardens, a 10-acre nonprofit nature preserve dedicated to conserving and displaying the native flora of the Southern Appalachians.
Directions: From downtown Asheville, take I-240 east to Charlotte Street. Turn left on Charlotte Street and then left again on Edwin Place. Continue on Edwin until it turns into Kimberly Avenue past the stop light. At the end of Kimberly Avenue, turn left on Beaverdam Road and then right on Merrimon Avenue. Beaver Lake will be on your left. Stop here to enjoy the sanctuary and lake. From the lake turn right back onto Merrimon Avenue. Turn right on Weaver Boulevard to visit the Botanical Gardens, located next to the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Continue along Weaver Boulevard and turn left on Broadway to return to downtown Asheville.
Total driving time: 10 minutes round-trip
Blue Ridge Parkway and I-40 Travel Advisories
There is a detour along I-40 well west of Asheville, due to a rock slide near the Tennessee border. The Asheville area remains accessible from all points, but travelers coming from the west need to be aware of the detour routes (click here for a printable map). Travelers coming to the Asheville area from the north, south or east (Johnson City, Atlanta, Charlotte, Greenville, Raleigh, etc.) are not affected.
Those traveling from the west via the detour routes will be happy to learn the detours are actually recommended scenic drives for fall color. I-26 is one of the nation’s only interstate scenic byways with overlooks, observations platforms and views of the highest peaks in the east. Click here for more details.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a spectacular drive full of amazing views, winding its way from about 2000’ to over 6000’ within 40 miles of Asheville. Unfortunately, a short 1.4-mile segment just south of town has been temporarily closed. The good news is that an equally scenic route with more destinations can still take you to beautiful places as Looking Glass Rock and Graveyard Fields. The parkway is still open north of Asheville.
To bypass the closed section of the Blue Ridge Parkway and access points south of Asheville, take I-240 West out of town. Follow signs to stay on I-26 East. After 9 miles, take exit 40 for Highway 280, which will take you past Asheville Regional Airport. Stay on 280 for 16 miles. Take a right on Highway 276, which winds its way up into the Pisgah National Forest. This 15-mile stretch of 276 is home to a number of secluded waterfalls as well as the Cradle of Forestry, where Cindy Carpenter reports "Amid the brown shades of oaks are also some bright reds of the scarlet oaks in particular. Sweet shrub leaves are a lovely lemon yellow, and beeches are finally bronze. Still some reds in maples out there, and then some young trees that insist on keeping some green still." Turn left on Forest Road 475 to access Loooking Glass Rock, or continue straight to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
When you reach the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Pisgah Inn is just a few miles to the right. Graveyard Fields and Looking Glass Rock Overlook are approximately six miles to the left.
Upcoming Events
Nov 05, 2009
Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime with Special Guest Scotty Don't
The Orange Peel
Nov 07, 2009
Superhero 5k Road Roace
Asheville Brewing Company
Nov 12, 2009 to Nov 15, 2009
Asheville Film Festival
Downtown Asheville
Nov 13, 2009
Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary Baton Passing
Blue Ridge Parkway
Nov 14, 2009
BRP75 Opening Weekend – Parkway History Day at the Folk Art Center
Folk Art Center
Weekly Fall Color Reports
Bookmark FallInTheMountains.com for weekly reports on where to find the best fall color. Follow @FallColorHunter on Twitter for the most up-to-date information about fall color in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Budget Tips
Check out our Cool Ashevile Savings for free fall activities and hot deals. Browse our fall package pages for savings on waterfall getaways, scenic picnics, and canopy tour zip line adventures.
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