HIKE ASHEVILLE
Scenic Asheville is the place to be!
What better way to take in Asheville than to be in the great outdoors. Asheville has no small list of great hikes and adventures. From the Blue Ridge Parkway to Dupont State Forest there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a short hike you can do with your children, or you are looking for a long challenging hike with an advanced skill level, you can be sure you'll find it here.
LOOKING GLASS FALLS
US-276, BREVARD, NC
Looking Glass Falls is by far one of my favorite in Pisgah National Forest. It is easily accessible from the road and can be seen just steps away from the pavement. Its beauty is unmatched in both Summer and Winter. The name is derived from nearby Looking Glass Rock, which looks like a mirror during the winter or "looking glass" of sunlight, as the water flows over and then freezes on the sides and which mirrors the sun, the contributing water way is Looking Glass Creek. During the Summer when the water level is lower and less fast flowing you can find many wading or swimming beneath the water fall. As with any waterfall please be careful when walking on wet rocks as they can be very slippery and cause injury.
MAX PATCH HIKE
Max patch was probably one of our first hikes as a family after we moved here in 2013. Max Patch is large tract of land considered a "bald" that was used for pasture land in the early 1900s. Since then it has been adopted into part of the Appalachian trail or "AT" Although Max Patch is absolutely gorgeous if there is any chance for thunder and lightening it is best to stay way from this location as it is known for lightening strikes and has even had one fatality to a hiker. In order to find this location you can either use these GPS coordinates: N35.797045, W82.956811 or follow these directions
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From downtown Asheville, take US 19 N/U.S. 23 N/U.S. 70 W/I- 26 toward Weaverville/Woodfin. Continue onto I-26 W/US-19 N/US-23 N/US-70 W for 8 miles. Take exit 19 A to merge onto US-25 N/US-70 W toward Marshall. Stay on this road for 17.7 miles into Hot Springs. From Hot Springs, take Highway 209 for 7.3 miles to Meadow Fork Road (State Road 1175). There is a sign here and at all the other junctions to direct you to Max Patch. Go 5.3 miles then turn left on Little Creek Road (State Road 1181). Follow Little Creek Road (1181) for 3.5 miles (even after it turns to gravel) to the intersection with Max Patch Road (State Road 1182). Turn right onto Max Patch Road and go for 1.6 winding miles to the Max Patch parking lot.
BLACK BALSAM KNOB
NEAR MILE POST 420 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Located in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest, near mile post 420 off the Blue Ridge Parkway you'll find Black Balsam Knob which is part of the Art Loeb trail. It was clear by loggers and locomotive fires in the 1920s and 40s and has remained that way due to the depths at which the fires reached burning away the mineral rich soil. At approximately 1.4 miles round trip, this is fairly easy hike with rewarding views at the top. The trail head begins just off the parkway with an area to park your vehicle and then proceed. On clear days you can see all the way to Mt. Mitchell. This is by far a great option for those wishing to venture into nature but are not yet ready for more difficult hikes.
CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK
431 MAIN STREET, CHIMNEY ROCK, NC
GPS: 35.432163, -82.249549
I took this photo on our very first trip to Chimney Rock State Park. It is even more majestic in person. This park began as one man’s vision in 1902, when Dr. Lucius B. Morse purchased the land which included the Chimney Rock and the cliffs nearby and overtime further purchasing up to 1000 acres. Eventually he opened the park up to visitors which were led there either on horseback or by carriage, though over time visitors found the 100+ stair climb difficult and thus Morse decided to put in an elevator. Over the years many upgrades have been made including replacing the Sky Lounge after a fire Labor Day weekend 1981. The new Sky Lounge was finished in June of 1982. Eventually the Morse family decided to sell the land in order to keep it safe and watch it grow, so in 2007 the park was purchased by the NC state park service. If you are looking for a great hiking adventure this place is the answer to that call. Its rich history and beautiful landscape will certainly be pleasing.
WILDFLOUR BLUE BAKERY
113 N MAIN ST, WAYNESVILLE, NC
127 MAIN STREET, CANTON, NC
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Though not in Asheville, one of my favorite places to visit is WildFlour Blue a locally owned bakery. With two locations in Canton and Waynesville they are easily accessed via I-40 West. Trust me this bakery is worth the drive. Â From the moment I tasted the Bearwaters Brewery Beer Cupcake I was sold. Located in the heart of Waynesville and Canton both locations are located on Main Street giving it the perfect down home feel. Treats baked daily in house leave the most pleasing aroma. In addition to baked goods, they offer coffee and ice cream. In need of baked goods for a party, wedding, or business occasion they are the premier bakery, for all your baked good needs.
DUCK DONUTS
182 MERRIMON AVE, ASHEVILLE, NC
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Though Duck Donuts is part of a chain of stores that was initially started in Duck, NC it is a very intriguing type of donut. They are made to order right in front of you with a vanilla cake donut. From there you can fully customize your order or pick from a menu of delicious options. From a French Toast donut to a Blueberry Pancake option you will not be disappointed. They also offer a variety of coffee options as well as bottle drinks.
