Asheville is known for its food, art, and culture, but you would miss a huge part of what makes this area special if you didn't explore the outdoors. Spring is a beautiful time in the mountains and what better way to see what all the buzz is about than to take a hike through the forest. 

Here are some of my favorite hikes in a range of difficulty levels that are a short drive from downtown.

Key: Easy = ??| Moderate = ???? | Hard = ?????? Close to town Bearwallow Mountain, N35.4607, W-82.3681 Difficulty: ???? Length: 2.1 mile loop Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash  This trail slopes gently uphill, eventually leading you to a gorgeous, pastoral bald with plenty of space to roam and picnic. Very often, you’ll see cows roaming the bald. Rattlesnake Lodge, 667 State Rd. 2109, Weaverville Difficulty: ???? Length: 3.7 mile loop Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash What this hike lacks in sweeping summit views, it makes up for with historic artifacts. After a good number of switchbacks and a few rocky outcrops, you’ll encounter the former site of the Rattlesnake Lodge, which was built in 1904 and gets its name from the now-defunct living room that was covered in rattlesnake skins. Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest Craggy Gardens, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364 Difficulty: ?? Length: 1.9 mile out-and-back Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash In the summer, blueberries are ripe for the picking and rhododendrons famously decorate the landscape of this iconic Asheville trail — but the panoramic views of Pisgah are sublime all year-long. Appalachian Trail  Max Patch Loop, Max Patch Rd. Difficulty: ?? Length: 1.5 mile loop Pet-friendly: Yes, on leash The drive up to the Max Patch parking lot is bumpy and twisty, but if you can manage that, you’ll be rewarded with a short hike and deeply memorable views of the mountains.

Here are a few more a little ways outside of town: https://avltoday.6amcity.com/hiking-guide-asheville-nc?utm_term=avltoday&utm_campaign=daily-newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=avltoday&utm_content=avltoday Also a great app to use is All Trails. Have a wonderful day and get outside!