Explore the best rated trails in Asheville, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail and Catawba River Greenway . With more than 15 trails covering 85 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
On 7/11 a storm came through and knocked a tree over.
My wife and I enjoyed a 24-mile out-and-back ride on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. This well-maintained trail took us through several small towns on the way to Forest City, which has a beautiful downtown with shops and places to eat. I knocked off a star for two reasons: 1) There are some areas along the trail with razor wire fencing, nothing sketchy-feeling, but definitely not scenic; 2) There are a LOT of road crossings and some of them are busy. The area has worked hard to build this trail and it will get better over time as amenities like restrooms are added at the trailheads.
I have ridden many rail trails across the US. One of the things that I look for are access to water, bathrooms and food. This trail has it all! Warm spring day - lots of people & dogs out enjoying the trail with happy smiles. There are areas of downed trees on either side of the trail from the Hurricane damage but it doesn’t affect the trail at all. It is paved asphalt so there are “root humps” here and there but nothing terrible. Gentle inclines and declines. I enjoyed my ride!
Wonderful trail, great signage, trail wasn't to busy. Stop by Grumpys if you have any bike needs. They are super friendly and have great accessories. Only improvement I would make is a restroom at each TH.
My husband and I love this trail. We have done it a couple of times. Took my sister and her husband on it. They enjoyed too. It’s smooth and clean. We park in Easley and ride up to Pickens. We always stop in Pickens at a restaurant and eat. (So my sugar levels don’t go too low). Then we head back. Very nice and polite people on the trail.
This trail was beautiful and fun, but the hills made it pretty challenging. I had to get off my bike and walk quite a bit more than I’d hoped. I parked at Doodle Park in Easley, and managed to make it to Pickens and back! The bathrooms at both end were clean, and the trail wasn’t crowded. I went on a weekday morning though ¿.
We just rode this trail yesterday. It was open all the way. They did have a lot of trees down but all are cleared off the trail. Highly recommend this trail.
The first .6 of a mile from the botanical gardens is very nice, being separate from the road, and a long a creek. The last .4 is slightly uphill and alongside the road. Of course there are several miles of trails in the botanical gardens too.
Just what I was looking for: easily accessible, thoughtfully designed and well maintained, beautifully picturesque in places! Just the right length to be a good workout if you do the whole thing or for smaller jaunts between the little parks in connects. This trail would be ideal for a group outing where the members are at different ages and abilities. Children and walkers could start at the Pet Park on 7th St., for example, and go north through the pretty, level, middle section that runs along the creek while the bicyclers cover the longer distance.
Nice Greenway connecting several parks. Much of it follows power lines. Not really scenic. Nice asphalt trail. Quiet. I wouldn't make a point of coming back.
Nice place to walk. Gross to include a medical corporation in the name though. Gives it such a negative energy.
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