Distance from Asheville to Good Hiking (ie Mt. Mitchell, etc.) (Raleigh: parking, arboretum)

[Riley14]

I am having trouble finding out how far Asheville is from good, tough hiking trail heads. Specifically interested in bagging Mt. Mitchell and other challenging hikes in the greater Asheville area. Can anyone give some insight into this? Thanks!

[carolinadawg2]

Its a little over an hour from downtown Asheville to Mt. Mitchell State Park. A little under an hour to the trailhead for Looking Glass Rock. 45 minutes to Hot Springs, where the AT goes right through town.

[creeksitter]

bagging Mt. Mitchell

Bagging Mt. Mitchell? I think the parking area is almost at the summit. Not exactly challenging.

Hot Springs is a good choice - you can walk the AT south up to the top of Max Patch. There you will encounter people who drove up in their cars.

There are some good uphill hikes in the Smokies. Is that too far away?

[carolinadawg2]

You can also start at the bottom of Mt. Mitchell for something a little more challenging:

Mount Mitchell Best Hike

[Bull City Rising]

Originally Posted by carolinadawg2

You can also start at the bottom of Mt. Mitchell for something a little more challenging:

Mount Mitchell Best Hike

Yep... or the peak-to-peak trail atop the Blacks.

Joe Miller, formerly the outdoors columnist for Raleigh's newspaper (The News & Observer), has a book of NC's best hikes. In the Mitchell area, it includes all the challenging ones -- hiking up Mitchell, the peak-to-peak, one of the relatively deserted/challenging tops (Celo or Winterstar, can't remember), and the MST trail. Good book.

[queenofbavaria]

if you park on top of mount mitchell and hike along the ridge you will get your workout for sure. I find it to be challenging. we hiked 1.5 hours and then back and had to climb on hands and feet. of course there are easier hikes, but you are able to find all levels.

[queenofbavaria]

Mount Pisgah is another nice and pretty steep hike. you go the BRP south (towards brevard) until you reach the sign to Mount Pisgah on the left. from the parking lot it was about 1 hour all the way up and 45 minutes back.
it took as about 34-40 minutes from the Hendersonville road entrance.
very nice 360 degree views up there. great workout included

[saucystargazer]

Originally Posted by queenofbavaria

Mount Pisgah is another nice and pretty steep hike. you go the BRP south (towards brevard) until you reach the sign to Mount Pisgah on the left. from the parking lot it was about 1 hour all the way up and 45 minutes back.
it took as about 34-40 minutes from the Hendersonville road entrance.
very nice 360 degree views up there. great workout included

You can extend this to be even longer by starting on the mountains to sea trail at the arboretum or any point along the parkway. Look up shut in ridge run for details on the trail.

Montreal also has some steep trails. Rainbow is brutal.

[queenofbavaria]

good to know, thanks!

[Thegofoxgo]

Good, tough hiking trails (assuming we define that the same way) are going to be a bit of a distance from Asheville. Even moderate hikes will be 30+ minutes away. Some suggestions:

Mt Mitchell (from the bottom) -about 45 min away in Burnsville- huge elevation change- about 11 miles- can connect to other trails.

Grandfather Mountain Wilderness Area (not the pay attraction!)- just under 2 hours from Asheville in Blowing Rock- park at Boone Fork parking area and take the trails to Calloway Peak, McCrae's Peak and end at Mile High Swinging Bridge in attraction area- in and out- 13 miles- involves 3,000 ft elevation change, bouldering, ropes and ladders in some areas.

Linville Gorge - the 'Grand Canyon of the East'- about 70 miles from Asheville in Burke County - numerous trails of varying difficulties, including a 40 mile loop. This is an amazing place, but also a federal wilderness area- get a map before heading out any of the more skilled trails.