fall hiking

Discover the Best Trails to Visit This Fall in the Carolina Mountains

Best Fall Hiking Trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Known for some of the longest autumn foliage seasons, the Carolinas offers some of the best fall hiking trails in the country. For members of The Cliffs, these trails are just outside your front door!

During this season, crisp mountain air and sunlight combine to create a blanket that transforms the rolling peaks into a vibrant sea of colors. Often described as a hiker’s dream, exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains during the autumn months is something everyone should experience.

To plan your next outdoor adventure, continue reading to learn about the best fall hiking trails in the area that allow you to experience the fall foliage in its full splendor.

  1. Craggy Gardens Area –– Early Autumn

The Craggy Gardens area is located just 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, rising a mile above sea level. During the spring months, these gardens are filled with colorful flowers, but  in the fall, the soaring trees steal the show! The Craggy Gardens Trail is a short hike offering views of Montreat’s quaint town and the lofty Black Mountain Range. Additionally, the Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike that delivers 360-degree views as far as the eye can see. Given the altitude, the colors of the fall season are visible early in the season, so if you want to get in the fall spirit, visit these fall hiking trails first!

  1. Beacon Heights Trail –– Early Autumn 

Found along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Beacon Heights Trail is a short, moderately challenging, yet scenic trail. Once at the top of the rocky overlook, hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the iconic Grandfather Mountain. At just under a mile round trip, this trail connects with the Tanawha Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail, offering even more fall hiking opportunities.

  1. Pisgah National Forest –– Early to Mid-Autumn

Around mid-October, Pisgah National Forest offers a front-row seat to view the colorful mountains.With over 500,000 acres of protected forests, the park is just waiting to be explored in all its autumnal grandeur. Within the park, Looking Glass Rock Trail is among the most popular. The 6.2-mile out-and-back trail is moderately demanding , but the  the panoramic vistas at the top make it well worth the effort.. Another popular trail is the Graveyard Fields Trail, where the fall foliage peaks in early October, given the high elevation. The short yet challenging trail is a 2.9-mile loop that takes just over an hour to complete.

Are you looking for more ways to enjoy fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Read our post, How to Make the Most of Peak Leaf Season in the Carolinas, and plan your next fall adventure! 

  1. DuPont State Park –– Mid-Autumn 

Another excellent fall hiking option with various trails is DuPont State Park, just under an hour’s drive from Asheville. What’s unique about this park is that various waterfalls are located throughout the 10,000 acres of protected forests. With more than 86 miles of hiking trails, there are plenty of paths to choose from, but the most well-known is the three-mile waterfall hike. This moderate trail takes hikers to three waterfalls in the park––Hooker, Triple, and High Falls––and during the autumn months, it is one of the best fall hiking locations in the region.

Related: 10 Best Viewpoints in the Blue Ridge Mountains

  1. Chimney Rock State Park –– Late Autumn 

Later in the autumn months, Chimney Rock State Park offers several fall hiking trails for adventurers of all skill levels to take in the colorful display. The most well-known trail in the park is Exclamation Point Trail, a 20-minute, moderate-to-strenuous hike that is mostly uphill. Once at the top, you will have panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge from 2,480 feet above sea level. 

Another option that brings you to the base of Hickory Nut Falls is Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The falls are among the highest east of the Mississippi River and offer an impressive view for visitors. The trail is a moderate 1.4-mile round-trip adventure you won’t want to miss when visiting the park. If you are looking for more of a challenge, the Skyline Trail is a moderate-to-strenuous trail option that takes hikers further up the mountain. The 2.2-mile round-trip hike offers even more spectacular autumn views that will take your breath away.   

Private Hiking Trails, All Year Round

With panoramic vistas and countless trails to explore, there is a reason hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains is so popular. This popularity can often make hiking on public trails crowded and take away the serenity often sought by hikers. Fortunately for members at The Cliffs, we have our own set of private hiking trails within our seven communities. These trails make it easy to explore the region from the comfort of your backyard! 

In addition, our private social clubs offer a way for avid hikers to come together and enjoy their favorite pastimes with other members. These clubs provide the perfect setting to learn about new trails from experts, connect with the outdoors, and make long-lasting friendships with other members at The Cliffs.

All of this and more can be yours when you become a homeowner at The Cliffs. We invite you to explore our community and the many amenities that come with living in our private corner of the Carolina mountains. Easily browse available homes online here or contact our team to schedule an in-person tour by clicking below. 

This post was originally published on October 5th, 2022, and was refreshed on August 19th, 2024.

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