Note: For the Full Guide to Running in Asheville, see the GR Website
Michael Tracey
The small city of Asheville, tucked into the Swannanoa and French Broad River valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is famous for its colleges, breweries, and adventurous, outdoor-oriented, environmentally-conscious locals. There are fantastic options for running in Asheville, as well as boundless trail running owing to the beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Asheville Urban Trail ?Runseeing? Tour. This 1.7-mile self guided tour of downtown Asheville?s architecture, history, and art, covers some of the hippest streets in town, all on spacious sidewalks.
French Broad River Greenway. Spanning from French Broad River Park through Carrier Park and ending at Hominy Creek River Park, the French Broad River Greenway is a 2.7 mile asphalt multi-use path.
Montford Historic District. The Montford Historic District of northwest Asheville is a great tour of some of Asheville?s prettiest homes. Starting from the Asheville Visitors Center, an out and back is about 3 miles.
Reed Creek Greenway. A 3.8 mile paved out and back follows Reed Creek from Pine Points to the University of North Carolina Asheville campus and botanical gardens.
Beaver Lake. This lovely jogging trail forms a part-asphalt, part-dirt loop around Beaver Lake and the surrounding neighborhood. Nice water and mountain views.
Biltmore Estate. This beautiful chateau, with gardens and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, has over 22 miles of trails lining the French Broad River and surrounding forests.
Bent Creek. This top outdoor destination in Asheville has a variety of trails from easy to challenging, including a series of dirt Forest Service Roads. Start at the North Carolina Arboretum or Lake Powhatan Recreation Area.
Warren Wilson College Trails. The 5 mile out and back of Warren Wilson College?s River Trail covers pastoral meadows and farmland with lots of swimming opportunities.
Cane Creek Greenway & Fletcher Community Park. A 1 mile jogging loop around Fletcher Community Park, can be combined with the Cane Creek Greenway for more mileage. There is also outdoor strength training equipment.
Trail Run: Black Mountain. A challenging trail run in this area 30 miles south of Asheville. The 10 mile loop up Black Mountain features incredible views of Pisgah National Forest. Popular with mountain bikers, too.
Trail Run: Montreat Trails. A tough trail run from the College/Conference Center up to the summit of Greybeard Mountain and over the Seven Sisters range.
Trail Run: Snooks Nose Trail. The beautiful Snooks Nose Trail is part of Asheville?s tough 100 mile spring trail race. There are good, challenging 4 and 8 mile out and back routes that will challenge trail runners in their own right.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park. America?s most visited National Park is 70 miles west of Asheville. Two good running options are the Cades Cove Loop Road, and the Greenbrier Cove area.
For the full running guide to Asheville, see greatruns.com.
