1.)   IT’S PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS

Feeling intimidated? Don’t be! There are several outdoor adventure outfitters in the Asheville area ready to prep you and guide you through whatever outdoor adventure you’d like to experience. Rafting? Yep. Biking? Uh-huh. Zip lining? You betcha! Don’t let anything hold you back. While the region does indeed attract world-class athletes, fully equipped with their own gear and know-how, it also accommodates explorers of all ages and skill sets who are ready to have fun.

2.)   YOU CAN HIKE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

As the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, the Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine. You can access the trail at several different points within an hour’s drive of Asheville. Check out the hiking options in and around Hot Springs, a charming town northwest of Asheville where the AT runs through the middle of its main street, known as Bridge Street, or explore the 1.5-mile loop at Max Patch, a mountain bald on the AT with stunning 360-degree views.

3.)   THE MOUNTAIN BIKING IS WORLD CLASS

Several places around Asheville offer mountain biking trails that attract enthusiasts from around the country. The closest option for shredding is Bent Creek Experimental Forest, in the Pisgah National Forest, which offers a range of easy to difficult trails. Farther south is DuPont State Forest, another major destination, which offers lots of route options in a beautiful forest with waterfalls and rivers. Call the local bike shops for advice or online resources where the MTB community weighs in on trails and conditions.

4.)   EVERY SEASON IS GOOD

There’s really no “off season” for adventure in Western North Carolina. In the spring, you can explore the multitudes of hikes that explode with color as wildflowers come to life, while the summer offers camping with swimming holes and water activities like paddling and rafting. In the fall, leaf peeping is off the charts and the cool and often dry conditions are ideal for climbing and bouldering, while the winter offers the options of skiing and snowboarding at mountains within a 60- to 90-minute drive, and cozy cabin stays.

5.)   THE WATERFALLS LIVE UP TO THE HYPE

When you have rivers in the mountains, you’re bound to get waterfalls—and we have them in spades! Several postcard-worthy falls are easy to access and are begging to be photographed, and most definitely are. Among the more popular ones are Looking Glass Falls, a 60-foot cascade in Pisgah National Forest just off the road of US 276 near Brevard—making it quite popular with locals and visitors—as well as Triple Falls, High Falls and Hooker Falls in DuPont State Forest. Pack a picnic and eat your lunch next to the grounding sound of rushing water.

6.)   MOTHER NATURE IS ON FULL DISPLAY

Western North Carolina is one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America, with a wide variety of plants, trees, fungi, mosses and animals. So when you’re out and about on your adventures, be ready to be wowed by Mother Nature. There are more species of plants in the area than in any other area of similar size in the continent, and it’s the global epicenter for salamanders, including the American hellbender, which thrives in the mountain streams and can grow up to two feet long.

7.)   THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER IS A PLAYGROUND

The French Broad River, which runs through the heart of Asheville, is the third-oldest river in the world. It’s unique in that it runs south to north, moving into Tennessee and flowing into the Mississippi River before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Within the city, standup paddling and tubing are popular pastimes. Farther north on the French Broad, you’ll find kayaking and several outfits offer guided tours for whitewater rafting.

8.)   THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY IS A MUST

The world famous Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile scenic road that runs from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. In Asheville, the Parkway curves along the southern and eastern edges of the city, offering stunning views to both motorists and hikers alike. Check out the stops at Craggy Gardens, the Folk Art Center and the North Carolina Arboretum. It’s important to note that Hurricane Helene caused landslides that damaged parts of the Parkway, so check its website for up-to-date info on closings.