The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches like a long ribbon of invitation through the forests and peaks surrounding Asheville, promising open-air discovery tailored to hikers and drivers alike. Whether lacing up your boots for winding loops or easing into the driver's seat for breathtaking vistas, this region challenges and rewards evenly. Here’s a guide to the best hiking loops and scenic drives that balance thrilling views with solid ground beneath your feet.

Top Hiking Loops Near Asheville

Craggy Gardens Loop (4.5 miles, 550 ft elevation gain) - A manageable trek of moderate challenge, this loop threads through rhododendron thickets and opens abruptly at points where the mountain air pulls sharp and fresh. The terrain alternates between forested single-track and open ridge. The trees here dare you to listen for the whispering winds and watch for paw prints etched in dirt.

Mount Pisgah Loop (5 miles, 1,400 ft gain) - This loop rewards hikers with a climb that’s solid but steady, pushing rhythmically through hemlocks and hardwoods that seem to lean in, as if to push you onward. At the summit, panoramic overlooks sweep from dense, green valleys to distant smoke-blue ridges.

Black Balsam Knob Loop (6.5 miles, 1,200 ft gain) - Its open balds stretch wide and wild, a highland expanse where clouds sometimes crown the grass like ancient crowns daring to hold onto the sky. The trail requires steady footing over rocky paths and occasional slick spots.

Scenic Drives to Match the Trails

Blue Ridge Parkway itself is the hallmark. Start at Asheville and travel northward for around 30 miles for some of the most iconic pullouts and vistas. The road curves with the mountains, inviting you to pause where the maples and oaks extend a vivid autumnal welcome or the mist rolls in like a slow-moving sea.

The Pisgah Loop (a drive connecting sections of the Parkway and Forest Roads) offers a mix of paved and gravel terrain with fewer crowds. This route humbles you with its forested tunnels and sudden reveal of waterfalls that insist you stop and listen.

Preparation and Practical Advice

For hikes, footwear that grips well on rocky and sometimes damp terrain is essential. Water bottles or hydration packs should hold at least two liters; the mountain’s slopes can sap energy faster than flat trails. Timing also matters: start hikes early enough to avoid afternoon showers that the Blue Ridge is known for, especially in summer.

For drives, keep your camera ready and fuel tank topped—gas stations can be sparse. Early mornings or late afternoons yield the best light for photography, painting long shadows and warm colors across the ridges.

Engage fully with these landscapes. Stream crossings push forward, not just obstacles but invitations. Trees shoulder the wind’s force with quiet strength. The region is fiercely itself, demanding your respect and offering its raw beauty in return.