The Best Family Hiking Trails in North Carolina
Head out on the trails with these short and easy hikes near Asheville, NC. They are perfect for the entire family.
Forth with its delicious food scene, Asheville'south Blue Ridge Mountains are famous. The hiking in and around the city is fantastic, especially with all of those cascading waterfalls.
Still, the mountains can also be intimidating whether you are an experienced hiker or a more coincidental holiday trekker.
Some trails have extremely high superlative gains and are much longer while others are quick and simple.
If you are looking for short hikes well-nigh Asheville, NC, specially if you are wondering how to pick the best family-friendly hikes in Asheville, we got you lot!
It's non always piece of cake to gauge the terrain or what to expect from hiking apps. Plus, nada beats firsthand experience.
Below, find child-friendly hikes in Asheville that will take you across the city'due south historic landmarks and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Head to the Pisgah National Forest and chase those waterfalls near Hendersonville, NC at DuPont State Forest. See where you can picnic with the cows or on top of a mountain bald.
These family unit-friendly hikes in Asheville are sure to aid you make the most out of Mother Nature and all that the Western N Carolina mountains have to offering without the worry.
Don't forget to permit us know your favorite kid-friendly hikes about Asheville, likewise. Allow's become started.
Read more most all of Asheville's best hiking trails locals honey.
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x Kid-Friendly & Easy Hikes Near Asheville, NC
By Tori Curran
ane. DuPont State Forest'southward 3 Waterfalls Hike
DuPont Country Forest's waterfall hikes to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls are a must for beautiful and easy hikes near Asheville.
Plus, Triple Falls is a filming location for The Hunger Games.
Choose a curt, less-than-one-mile out-and-back hike or visit all three waterfalls for a lengthier stay. Either mode, y'all can't beat those views.
Park at the Hooker Falls Admission Expanse and brainstorm with one of the most kid-friendly hikes virtually Asheville: the .3-mile trek downwardly to Hooker Falls.
With only a chip of elevation proceeds, the kids will be sprinting down to the waterfall to climb rocks or cool off in the warmer months. Just remember that at that place are no active lifeguards on duty.
For families that are upward for more and tin can handle a slightly increased height, proceed on to Triple Falls and High Falls.
From the same admission area, hike about half a mile upwardly the gravel path until you spy the waterfall. There is a picnic area for the little ones (and large ones) to take a luncheon break.
Another .6 miles upwardly, take a left onto High Falls Loop to admission the 3rd waterfall, High Falls.
Boosted trails, including the Covered Bridge Trail, tin can be added on for overachievers. The 3 Waterfall Hike volition total about iii miles round trip, with moderate terrain.
While these three short hikes near Asheville feature gravel, decent summit proceeds, and spectacular views, they're not particularly challenging.
Our four-year-old managed the bulk of the hike himself, while our two-year-onetime was in and out of his Osprey toddler carrier.
Caput to Hendersonville later on for tiffin and kid-friendly museums.
2. Chimney Rock State Park: Outcroppings Trail & Exclamation Point Trail
As a The Last of the Mohicans filming site, Chimney Rock Land Park is undoubtedly one of the most pop and most crowded family-friendly hikes near Asheville. You will have to pay to enter the park.
Chimney Stone, the 535 million-twelvemonth-old monolith for which the park is named, is attainable either by the Outcroppings Trail or via elevator.
While the trail is steep with 494 steps, information technology is safe and well maintained. Plus, there are plenty of breathtaking viewpoints to break up the hike, including The Grotto and Pulpit Rock.
Families tin continue on to the Exclamation Point Trail. Beyond from the stairs, take a series of switchbacks and steps through the cliffside.
While the trail is mostly uphill and slightly strenuous, it's only nearly twenty minutes to Exclamation Indicate, with plenty of points of interest along the manner.
Intermission at the Opera Box, overlooking Hickory Nut Gap and Lake Lure, then again at the iconic Devil'due south Head. Savour a picnic and more than views at Assertion Signal, then relish in the downhill hike back.
Head over to Chimney Stone's website for ticket information.
3. Catawba Falls Trail
If you are looking for impressive, but easy hikes near Asheville, head to the Catawba Falls Trailhead for another waterfall hike.
Almost thirty minutes outside of Asheville and off of I-40, visitors can easily find the Catawba Falls Trailhead parking lot.
From here, it'due south an easy 1.5-mile hike (3 miles round trip) with a mild merely steady incline to the 100-pes waterfall. Leashed dogs are welcome here, as well.
Forth the style, kids will enjoy crossing the river via the footbridge, exploring some of the smaller cascades, and spying historic buildings dating back to the 1920s. These sites are accessible by boosted brusk trails.
The trail ends at the base of Catawba Falls. While you may exist tempted to hike upward to Upper Catawba Falls, know that it is not recommended.
While brusque, the hike to the upper falls is extremely dangerous, and nosotros don't advise it for children.
Read more near all of Asheville's breathtaking waterfall hikes.
4. Bent Creek Experimental Forest'south Homestead Trail
While nosotros haven't personally hiked here nonetheless, we are eyeing Bent Creek and Lake Powhatan for our adjacent trip to Asheville with the kids. Christine and Tom frequent Bent Creek's trails.
Y'all'll find dozens of short and easy hikes in Asheville in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Pick one for a quick but leisurely walk or slice together a longer hike if y'all're up for it.
The piece of cake .7 mile out and back Homestead Trail (Bent Creek Trail 333) hugs Lake Powhatan and is popular amongst families. Hikers volition pass Lake Powhatan, the dam, and footbridges.
Add the Deerfield Loop or Small-scale Creek Trail for another one to two miles of easy, pleasant hiking. For a much longer but easy hike, link up to the Difficult Times Trail, which also connects into The NC Arboretum.
Yous'll also see families teaching their younger children how to mountain cycle along a few of Bent Creek'southward trails. For short hikes in Asheville, you can't go wrong in this surface area.
5. Blackness Balsam Knob Via Art Loeb Trail
Black Balsam Knob, also known every bit Black Balsam Bald, is the 2d-highest mountain in the Black Balsam Mountains. Don't let the elevation deter you though.
The 1.5-mile out and back to Black Balsam via Fine art Loeb Trail to the top is one of the most popular kid-friendly hikes virtually Asheville with simply 347 feet of elevation gain.
Spy beautiful wildflowers, take in the gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains, and peep the foliage during the fall.
Black Balsam via Art Loeb Trail is also one of the about frequented short hikes near Asheville, then plan your 45-minute drive from the urban center accordingly and consider arriving early.
Read more about all of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway hikes in North Carolina.
half dozen. Max Patch
Virtually an hour and a quarter outside Asheville on the Tennessee-N Carolina Border, Max Patch is the farthest of our recommended short hikes almost Asheville.
A 1.5-mile loop, Max Patch intersects with the famed Appalachian Trail and provides some of the near spectacular views of the mountains.
If you're looking for bucket list, family-friendly hikes about Asheville, this is it. Don't forget to pack a picnic, too, but remember to take your trash with y'all.
From the Max Patch parking lot, hike along rolling hills and wildflowers before coming to an intersection for the AT. Stay to the correct to continue on the Max Patch Loop or hike upwardly the AT to head directly to the pinnacle of the mountain.
Please simply go along in mind that the road to Max Patch's trailhead can be more hard to navigate and a tad frightening in poor weather.
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vii. Biltmore Manor Trails
Did y'all know that the Biltmore Manor offers some of its very ain family-friendly hikes in Asheville? You will need an annual pass or ticket to enter, though.
While the xx-two miles of trails range in difficulty, Biltmore visitors will observe plenty of piece of cake and moderately short hikes.
Stroll the ane-mile mostly paved Azalea Garden or explore the Historic Gardens.
Moderate, but mostly apartment, trails include the three-mile Lagoon Trail, the six-mile Farm Trail, and the Westover Trails. The Deerpark Trail will care for yous to a side view of Biltmore Estate and stop in the gardens.
Biltmore's trails are a great place to start experiencing some of WNC'due south naturescapes and find astonishing, but easy, kid-friendly hikes in Asheville. Bamboo forests included.
Know that you tin as well bring your own bikes or rent mountain bikes from the Bike Barn. The Lagoon Trail is an peculiarly popular biking trail amongst families and their littles.
Read more about all of the means that you can bask Biltmore with the unabridged family unit. Caput over to Biltmore's website for ticket information.
A few more family unit-friendly hikes near Asheville from Christine of UA
8. Bearwallow Mountain
Some other one of the most popular short hikes near Asheville, either take the broad gravel access route or more than challenging forest trail up to a beautiful meadow filled with cows. That's Bearwallow Mountain.
Y'all tin can even trek one trail and take the other downward to create a loop. The cows freely roam around you lot and may throw you some shade. Sentry out for those moo-cow pies as well.
Bearwallow Mount is an like shooting fish in a barrel 2-mile hike that is perfect for picnics and sunsets. This is also a swell fall and winter hike.
9. Moore Cove Falls
Moore Cove Falls is i of the best easy hikes near Asheville, especially for families. Expedition a 1.iv-mile out and back straight to a 50-foot waterfall. Never climb these falls, though — in that location have been causalities.
The trail may grow a chip muddied based on the season, and y'all'll cross small wooden bridges with a few narrower spots along the trail.
Moore Cove Falls is located just past Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest off of the Forest Heritage Breathtaking Byway. Sliding Rock is also nearby.
10. Oconaluftee River Trail
Although a scrap of a drive, if you are craving a quick introduction to Bang-up Smoky Mountains National Park, head to the Oconaluftee Company Center and River Trail.
The Oconaluftee River Trail is i of two trails in the Smoky Mountains where visitors can walk their dogs on a leash and/or ride bikes.
Encounter a beautiful 3-mile nature walk along the Oconaluftee River. Yous don't have to follow the trail all the fashion to the end since it'south an out and back.
Encounter elk from distant, and spot wildflowers and birds. View exhibits educating visitors about Cherokee artwork, traditions, and spiritual behavior.
For families, you'll also laissez passer the open-air Mountain Subcontract Museum. Freely explore a collection of log buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Don't miss the log farmhouse, barn, and apple house.
Yous can too view the Davis House, which is synthetic from American Anecdote wood. Exist certain to walk over to Mingus Mill. See how families lived and worked in the Appalachian Mountains years agone.
Lastly, bask the amenities of the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Find restrooms, maps, and even a few Park Rangers to answer your questions.
The local gift shop is perfect if you need more snacks, desire to stock up on water, or if yous wish to grab local literature and souvenirs. Behave plushes included.
If you lot don't mind stairs, Mingo Falls is also a gorgeous short hike nearby.
A Notation On Skinny Dip Falls**
**We'd too usually propose Skinny Dip Falls as the perfect child-friendly hike near Asheville, especially since it'southward a bustling swimming hole for families.
Yet, with the recent 2021 flooding, Skinny Dip is unrecognizable and in need of repairs. Sure areas are especially unsafe. Floods have done away the bridge.
We will keep our centre on updates for the summertime of 2022. Sliding Stone is also currently closed.
Lastly, if hiking seems a tad much, read more about Asheville's quaint parks and gardens.
You and your family may likewise savor the nature trails at Beaver Lake and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
Relieve These Kid-Friendly Hikes For Later
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Thank you to Uncorked Asheville contributor, Tori Curran from Explore With Tori
Tori is a mom to two boys, living in Dallas but adventuring everywhere, usually with a toddler on her back. She's an gorging traveler, nature junkie, and author encouraging families to get outside and get-go exploring the globe. When she'south not hiking or traveling, you can detect her lost in a book, watching Bravo reruns, or obsessively decluttering her home.
Which brusque hikes near Asheville, NC do you honey?
There are a plethora of easy hikes most Asheville. Which ones do y'all frequent or most enjoy? What are your favorite family-friendly trails? Let u.s. know in the comments.
Traveling with the kids? Caput here next:
Best Things To Practice In Asheville With Kids
Biltmore With Kids
Child-Friendly Restaurants
Fall Apple tree Orchards To Honey
Museums To Visit
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Source: https://www.uncorkedasheville.com/easy-hikes-near-asheville/
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