Fall is a wonderful time for backpacking, hiking or visiting Asheville and Western NC.  Fall foliage is amazing and with weather that is typically a bit dryer and cooler, views are even more amazing (and summer crowds are down – but watch out for hunters & the various hunting seasons – wear bright orange clothing!).  Many short hikes will take you to beautiful vistas, backpacking campsites – some with shelters.  And, if you do not care to backpack, many out and back trails or loop trails in the area will be enough!  Asheville is known for it’s bed and breakfast accommodations and cabin and vacation rentals.  Hiking in the area is the best way to really enjoy the fall splendor.

Some of my favorite hikes near Asheville:
Montreat area hikes (various mileages)
Craggy Pinnacle (1 mi out, 1 mi back)
Mount Pisgah (1.5 mi out, 1.5 mi back)
Moore’s Cove (1.5 mi out, 1.5 mi back)
Caney Bottom/ Cove Creek (2 mile loop)
Graveyard Fields (various mileages available)
Black Balsam and Shining Rock (up to 10 mi out and back)
Looking Glass Hike (5 mile loop)
Pickleseimer Fields and Cat Gap hike (8 mi loop)