Imagine hearing the leaves crunch under your feet as you feast your eyes on the golds, oranges and reds of autumn that surround you.
The iconic trails of the Asheville area can be explored during any season, but many of these trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains offer a truly special experience in the fall. There is no better way to soak in the colors of fall foliage than with a hike. Use our Asheville Hike Finder to easily filter by distance from downtown, trail length, and difficulty level.
What are the best fall hikes near Asheville?
Graveyard Fields Loop Hike
Traditionally, Graveyard Fields is among the first places to see fall color (from the last week of September through the first week of October) on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. This relatively easy, family-friendly hike offers the chance to see multiple waterfalls framed by fall color. From the parking area, enjoy autumn-colored mountain vistas.
Rough Ridge on the Tanawha Trail
Hike to majestic views of the High Country on the way to Rough Ridge’s famous rocky summit. Fall foliage appears here near the high-elevation summit in early fall, but Rough Ridge makes a perfect vantage point throughout the season to see sweeping views of the color moving into the valleys below.
Beacon Heights Trail
This quick hike delivers a big payoff. From one lookout, see how the autumn colors perfectly frame Grandfather Mountain. From a lookout facing the other direction, survey layers of mountain ridges. Beacon Heights is another high-elevation spot that often sees fall color early in the season.
Cataloochee Trails
History has never looked quite this good. Historic churches and cabins take on a special atmosphere surrounded by the bright colors of fall. Cataloochee is also home to a large elk population. Seeing the elk is a favorite local fall pastime.
Linville Falls Trails
Take your pick of five dramatic viewpoints of this thundering waterfall, reached by two wooded trails. Autumn colors tend to be brightest here in early to mid-fall.
Biltmore Estate Trails
Did you know Biltmore has 22 miles of hiking trails? One of our favorite trails leads to the Lagoon – a perfect picnic spot that provides a striking view of the west side of Biltmore House. Mid-to-late fall is a colorful time to hike the trails here.
North Carolina Arboretum Trails
A network of forested trails radiates out from the North Carolina Arboretum, leading to Bent Creek Experimental Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. With a large variety of trees and plants, this is a great place close to Asheville to get a quick taste of fall.
Chimney Rock State Park Trails
In late October and early November, fall color reaches the lower elevation areas of the Hickory Nut Gorge. Stand atop iconic Chimney Rock and look out over the colorful valleys and Lake Lure below. Don’t forget to take the relatively easy hike through the forest to see the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls!
