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Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains between the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers.Asheville is a mountain town made for adventure. Its population of about 97,000 residents (about 400,000 in the larger metropolitan area) gives the small town an eclectic charm, while remaining connected to a much larger forest right outside its doors. Asheville is the gateway to even more 1,000 miles of trails Within an hour’s drive.
a diverse setting
Asheville is located in the Southern Appalachians – one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth – and within an hour’s drive, you can hike, bike, paddle, and fish in some of the most biologically diverse terrain in North America. The area is home to over 4,000 plant species, 2,000 types of fungi and many unique animal species, making it a real paradise for nature lovers.
The mixed terrain produces a variety of dense forests and temperate wild flowers. It’s not hard to get to Asheville chasing waterfalls.
Beyond the city limits, Pisgah National Forest offers 500,000 acres for exploration, while Mount Mitchell towers at 6,684 feet and holds the title of tallest peak east of the Mississippi. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs through it all for 469 miles, providing easy access to trailheads along the way.
Conservation and responsible recreation are woven into the culture here, so the same trails and rivers that attract visitors today are being actively preserved for the future.
Adventure in every direction
Whatever your preferred speed, Asheville delivers great outdoors.
Mountain bikers can enjoy groomed trails just minutes from town or tackle the challenging singletrack in nearby Pisgah National Forest.
The area’s old granite faces make Asheville a popular destination for climbers, particularly Looking Glass Rock and Rumbling Bald. While boulderers may find an abundance of problems in the area, the Green River Narrows is an extraordinary canyon worth visiting. If your skills need a tune-up before heading out, you’ll find climbing gyms throughout the city.
Whitewater enthusiasts can kayak through the large flows of the Nantahala River or book a raft trip. for peace water adventure, Paddlers of all types flock to the French Broad River and area lakes.
Of course, fishing is another attraction. Anglers can fight bass on larger rivers or try to catch trout in mountain streams.
beyond the trailhead
Outdoor recreation isn’t the whole story. Downtown Asheville is walkable and vibrant, surrounded by a thriving arts scene food culture. This is why it feels more cosmopolitan than many of North Carolina’s larger cities.
After spending a day out, you can fuel up on farm-to-table fare, downhome Southern cooking, or international cuisine from local chefs. Asheville is also the craft beer center of the East Coast, with one of the highest breweries-per-capita ratios in the country.
Asheville has a long history ArtAnd today the town is home to visual artists, mountain craftsmen and folk artists. Visitors will find plenty of art galleries, artistic neighborhoods and performing arts venues to extend their experience beyond the trails.
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