5 minute read
Written by Grace Rector
So, you have ventured to the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains and you’re eager to begin exploring. It just so happens that this area is rich with hiking trails, along with a variety of other outdoor activities, that have inspired adventurous souls all over the world for millennia. From hiking through lush forests and ending up in front of an enchanting waterfall to summiting a peak and watching as the sun descends and blends the sky and mountains into one, the Blue Ridge Mountains hold the adventures you seek. Here, at Durrant Farms, we encourage such adventure and have put together a list of hikes that are all within an hour’s drive of our farm. Below are five hikes that offer a variety of different views, distances, and activities for your Asheville hiking adventures.
Max Patch
Starting off with one of my all time favorite hikes, this 1.5 mile loop is a must-see when visiting Western North Carolina. It offers stunning 360° views from a 350-acre bald mountain-top. In the 1800’s the mountain was cleared to be used as a pasture, but today it is one of the most beloved hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When recommending this hike, I always tell people that it is the perfect place for a picnic, so don’t forget your picnic basket and blanket! Reaching the peak of Max patch creates this feeling of stepping into another world; it’s the kind of place that inspires joy, curiosity, and creativity. Whether you have children, pets, or you’re traveling solo, with only an hour drive from the farm, Max Patch is an easily accessible hike for just about everyone. One thing of note for this destination is that the road turns to gravel during the last 3 miles of the drive. It is maintained well enough for 2WD, but it is something to keep in mind. Below is an AllTrails link for Max Patch.
Straight Creek Via Waterslide Trail
Nestled is the charming small town of Barnardsville, NC, Straight Creek is a short and simple 1.5 mile trek through covered tree canopy to a mossy babbling brook. Due to its lush greenery, I recommend this hike for any of the forest dwellers and mushroom foragers out there. This trail is well maintained and can be easily navigated, but the trail is more remote, so we recommend coming prepared with bear spray and anything else you need to feel more comfortable on your hike. In just under an hour’s drive from the farm, Straight Creek is a great trail for a likely private, forest bathing experience in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. Note: We recommend not using Google Maps as it tends to be less reliable than other navigational tools when getting to this trail. Below is an AllTrails link for StraightCreek Via Waterslide Trail.
Beaver Lake
If you’re looking for a short hike closer to the city, check out Beaver Lake. This peaceful little haven is nestled among some of the most beautiful homes in Asheville. Located only 30 minutes away in north Asheville, Beaver Lake is a popular 1.9 mile walking trail around the entire perimeter of the lake. A variety of flora and fauna can be seen throughout the trail including turtles, wildflowers, blue heron, and the most lovely fall foliage can be seen throughout Autumn. Additionally, Beaver Lake has an attached bird sanctuary where bird watchers can search for the hundreds of different bird species that frequent the area. The bird sanctuary is a short walk that offers a quiet and peaceful setting with a variety of benches to sit and enjoy your surroundings on. Similar to Max Patch, Beaver Lake and its Bird Sanctuary are a great spot for a picnic! Below is an AllTrails link to Beaver Lake, however, a quick maps search will take you there easily.
Learn more about the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary here: https://www.blueridgeaudubon.org/copy-of-beaver-lake-bird-sanctuary
Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
Hike through ruins of an early 1900’s mountain top lodge on this 3.9 mile loop right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rated a moderate to difficult hike with 882 ft. of elevation gain, Rattlesnake Lodge trail will take you through lush rhododendron canopies opening up to astonishing mountain views. If you’re not feeling up for the 3.9 mile hike, there are options for shorter trails at the trailhead. Any trail that you choose will offer you a wonderful experience and exquisite views. This is another great hike if you are into fungi foraging/identification! While you’re on Blue Ridge Parkway, we recommend taking some time to drive and explore its splendor. The national parkway runs through Asheville and has numerous overlooks that provide the views that so many travel here to see, as well as some other spectacular trails. Below is an AllTrails link to Rattlesnake Lodge Trail.
Bailey Mountain Loop Trail
Bailey Mountain Loop is a trail that offers a true southern countryside experience as it takes you through mountainous farmland before you are immersed into tree cover for an almost-all uphill hike to the Bailey Mountain summit. This is a great hike year-round, but late autumn and winter will offer you the most extensive views. Only 40 minutes from Durrant Farms in Mars Hill, NC, this 5 mile loop has almost 1500 ft. of elevation gain. If you decide this is the hike for you, make sure you carve out of enough time and bring a lot of water! We recommend that you take the yellow trail as this trail is more maintained than the others. While in Mars Hill, check out the quaint, but beautiful mountain town, home to Mars Hill University. Below is an AllTrails link to Bailey Mountain Loop Trail.
When visiting any outdoors destination, we highly encourage following the 7 Leave No Trace principles so that we can keep these areas clean and protected for future enjoyment. You can find these principles here: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
Additionally, we want to encourage everyone to be Bear Aware when exploring this area.
Happy exploring! Book a stay with us now to enjoy these wonderful hikes within an hour’s drive of our farm.
