The Best Fall Hikes Near Asheville & Black Mountain

Mount Pisgah

Located south of Asheville at Milepost 407.6, you’ll find one of the Asheville area’s most popular hikes. Mount Pisgah is rated moderate to strenuous, but the work is well worth it for the views. The trail begins with an easy walk through a hardwood forest. About 0.5 miles in, the hike becomes a bit more challenging, taing you through rocky outcrops and steep stone stairs. 

The summit features a wooden observation deck, perfect for soaking up the rich colors of fall and capturing the rolling hills that seem to go on and on. To the west is Cold Mountain, and to the south is the Fryingpan Mountaintop Lookout Tower and the balds of Black Balsam Knob and Tennant Mountain. On a clear day, you can spot downtown Asheville in the northeast!

Trail Information

• Milepost 407.6
• Length: 2.6 miles round-trip
• Elevation: 5,271 feet
• Elevation Gain: ~ 700 feet
• Duration: 1-2 hours

Bearwallow Mountain

If you’re looking for a more kid-friendly hike near Asheville, consider Bearwallow Mountain. This fairly short trail is on private land and a part of a working farm, but the owners have kindly shared access to the public. You’ll have two options at the trailhead: take the 1-mile trail with steep switchbacks to the right, or the 0.7-mile gravel road on the left, which offers a more gentle climb to the top. If you’re lucky, you may get to share the summit with grazing cows!

The open meadow offers a 360° vantage point, with views of the Great Balsams, Hendersonville, Hickory Nut Gorge, Black Mountains, Mt. Mitchell, and more. Consider packing a picnic and eating lunch atop the mountain while taking in the bright pops of red, orange, and yellow that surround you.

Hikers should only access the trailhead from the Edneyville side of Bearwallow Mt. DO NOT drive through Gerton. Bearwallow Mountain Road through Gerton is still restricted following damage from the hurricane.

Trail Information

• Milepost 420.2
• Length: 2 miles round-trip

Graveyard Fields

What once was a “graveyard” of timber during the logging era is now a thriving field filled with wildflowers in the spring and vibrant, crimson-colored trees in the fall. This is another favorite Asheville hike for many thanks to its relatively short distance (3.5 miles total), waterfall stops along the way, and the fact that it’ family and dog-friendly.

Wooden steps and stones lead you to the Lower Cascades, located just under a mile into the loop. Follow the trail which takes you through an open meadow and then to the Upper Falls, which offers a more secluded vibe.

Trail Information

• Milepost 418.8
• Length: 3.5 miles round-trip
• Elevation: 5,120 feet
• Elevation Gain: ~ 400 feet 
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate

Black Balsam Knob

Considered one of the best hikes in Asheville, the summit at Black Balsam Knob sits above 6,000 ft. and offers endless views of the Shining Rock Wilderness. This section of the Art Loeb Trail begins with a short walk in the forest, which then leads you to an open meadow. The knob is only about a mile more, where you’ll climb rocky terrain to reach the bald.

The bald is about 20 degrees cooler than Asheville, so pack a jacket in case you get chilly! If you want to extend your hike from Black Balsam Knob, you can continue to Tennent Mountain using the Art Loeb Trail marker for another 1.5 miles.

Trail Information

• Milepost 420.2
• Length: 1.4 miles roundtrip
• Elevation: 6,214 feet
• Elevation Gain: ~ 400 feet
• Duration: 30 minutes to 60 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate (rocky terrain and steep in some areas)
• Parking: Marked spaces along the shoulder of Black Balsam Knob Road
• Other: Kid-friendly & dog-friendly

Craggy Pinnacle

This hike is an excellent option if you are short on time but want to squeeze in a little workout during your fall stay. The trail begins at the upper parking lot next to the Craggy Dome sign. The trail starts with a gradual climb, and then you'll reach a rocky outcrop on the way. Continue walking until you reach two signs - one for the lower lookout and the other for the upper lookout. The lower lookout gives you 180-degree views of the Visitor Center and mountains, while the upper lookout offers 360-degree views of the mountains, Asheville watershed lake, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Trail Information

• Milepost 364.1
• Length: 1.4 miles round trip
• Elevation: 5,892 feet
• Elevation Gain: ~ 250 feet
• Duration: 30 minutes to 60 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate (rocky terrain and steep in some areas)

Catawba Falls

Located in Old Fort, Catawba Falls is one of North Carolina’s most popular hiking trails, and for good reason. As autumn colors sweep through the surrounding forest, the trail leads you past brightly colored foliage to two stunning waterfalls.

The Lower Falls drops more than 100 feet, cascading over a moss-covered rock face in several directions. From there, the trail continues up 540 steps to the 60-foot Observation Tower. The climb can be challenging, but you'll find benches on the landings if you need to take a break. Once you reach the top of the Observation Tower, enjoy the views of the Upper Falls and surrounding area before continuing along the trail. The 50-foot Upper Falls is well worth the extra effort, cascading into a beautiful, crystal-clear pool below.

There are a few options for this hike:

• River Trail (Counterclockwise): Hike 1.1 miles on the River Trail, which then turns into the Wildflower Trail for 0.25 miles. Get back onto the River Trail for another 0.5 miles to Lower Falls. Follow the trail and go up the steps for another 0.3 miles to reach the Upper Falls. Continue following the Ridge Trail to reach the parking lot. 3.5 miles total.
• Ridge Trail (Clockwise): For a longer hike, follow the Ridge Trail for 2.1 miles until Upper Falls. Follow the River Trail from the Upper Falls and go down the stairs to reach the Lower Falls. 3.5 miles total.
• River Trail (In-and-Out): If you prefer a shorter hike, you can choose to follow the River Trail and turn around at Upper Falls and hike back down for a total of 2.8 miles hiked.

Lookout Trail

If you’re looking for a little challenge, this hike near Black Mountain is the perfect fit! Although it's a shorter trail (1.4 miles out-and-back), it is fairly steep with roots and rock scrambles near the summit. Once you reach the summit, you’ll realize it was all worth it. You’ll get views of Montreat and the Seven Sisters peks. Pack a light picnic lunch and enjoy the fall colors while re-energizing with tasty snacks. The trail is on private property, so please follow all posted rules. Parking spaces are limited, but overflow parking is available at Anderson Auditorium.

Trail Information

• Montreat Conference Center (Private Land w/ Public Access by Foot Traffic Only)
• Length: 1.4 miles roundtrip
• Elevation: ~ 3,620 feet
• Elevation Gain: ~ 610 feet
• Duration: About an hour
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (Steep sections)
• Parking: Limited parking near the trailhead. Overflow parking available nearby.