Asheville, NC is one of the nation’s best cities for nature lovers. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has something for every outdoor adventurer: from heart-pounding hikes on the Appalachian Trail to moments of peace and quiet at Max Patch or Craggy Gardens. For those who love walking and biking, there are many neighborhoods in Asheville that are located near trails and greenways. The walking trails in Asheville are plentiful, as are the biking paths in Asheville, and for even more immersion in nature, you can browse homes for sale near Pisgah Forest. Keep reading to find the ideal communities in Asheville, NC for those who love to opt outside.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose an Asheville Area Home as a Nature Lover?
- Western NC Neighborhoods by Walking Trails
- Asheville Neighborhoods for Biking & Cycling
- Neighborhoods Near Pisgah Forest
Why Choose an Asheville Area Home as a Nature Lover?
- Recreation | As we mentioned earlier, if you’re looking for outdoor excitement, you’ll find it in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiking trails of all intensities branch off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and there are many great spots for mountain biking, too. When it comes to water-based activities, you can tube on the French Broad River, raft on the Nantahala, go boating on Lake Lure, or fish at Lake James, just to name a few options.
- Serenity | Looking for relaxation? Try forest bathing, yoga with baby goats, horseback riding, foraging for wild ingredients, or another peaceful activity near Asheville. Many find the mountains to be perfect for meditation, reflection, and personal growth. Whether you’re enjoying a sunset from your waterfront cabin or taking a morning walk around your neighborhood, you’ll get to slow down, breathe, and take in your natural surroundings from your Asheville neighborhood.
- Connection | If you want to further connect with nature, there are lots of ways to do so here in Asheville. You can take the kids to the WNC Nature Center to see native animals up close; volunteer with a nonprofit focused on the environment; or learn about buying or building a Green Certified home in the mountains.
Western NC Neighborhoods by Walking Trails
If your list of house-hunting must-haves includes close proximity to walking trails, check out these Asheville neighborhoods for walking. If you want more options, browse our guide to Asheville neighborhoods with trails. Want to be able to walk to downtown Asheville? We’ve got you covered with our list of neighborhoods within walking distance of downtown.
Amboy Heights Homes for Sale
Amboy Heights is a West Asheville neighborhood near some of the area’s best walking trails. The French Broad River flows near this neighborhood, and there are a variety of parks and greenways bordering the river that are just a short walk or drive from Amboy Heights.
Nearby: Hominy Creek Greenway/Trail, French Broad River Greenway, Amboy Road Riverfront Park
Montford Homes for Sale
Located in North Asheville (and less than ten minutes from downtown), the historic Montford neighborhood offers convenient access to shops, restaurants, and natural spaces perfect for walking. Don’t have time to visit a park? The broad streets of this neighborhood are great for a stroll, too.
Nearby: Glenn and Reeds Creek Greenways, Asheville Botanical Garden
Creston Homes for Sale
Creston is a private community in Black Mountain which contains a 350-acre, onsite nature preserve. As a resident, you can enjoy walking and hiking on the preserve’s trail system, a natural haven of native flora and fauna, right in your own backyard.
Nearby: Onsite trail system
Asheville Walking Trail Neighborhoods FAQs
What is the most walkable area of Asheville?
Aside from the heart of downtown Asheville (which is highly walkable), some of the most walkable areas include Montford, West Asheville, Biltmore Park, and parts of North Asheville. These areas contain restaurants, bars and breweries, shops, grocery stores, and other businesses that are accessible by foot.
What is the closest mountain or trail to downtown Asheville?
Some of the closest mountains to downtown are Bearwallow Mountain, Mount Mitchell, and Mount Pisgah, according to SmokyMountains.com.
Asheville Neighborhoods for Biking & Cycling
For those who prefer to explore on two wheels, there are many neighborhoods that offer excitement for cyclists. Here are some of the best Asheville neighborhoods for biking.
Biltmore Forest Homes for Sale
A high-end neighborhood in South Asheville, Biltmore Forest has safe, picturesque streets perfect for bike riding. It’s close to its namesake, the historic Biltmore Estate, which has miles of beautiful bike paths (accessible with paid admission to the grounds). Alternately, Biltmore Forest is just down the road from an entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is adored by drivers and bikers alike. (Be aware of the rules of biking on the Parkway before you go, as you will be riding alongside vehicles).
Nearby: Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate
River Arts District Homes for Sale
The River Arts District of Asheville offers something for art lovers and cyclists alike. Riverside Drive runs parallel to the French Broad River and has a bike lane, making this road ideal for commuting or biking to your favorite coffee shop. For a day of thrills, head to Kolo Bike Park (part of the Adventure Center of Asheville) to enjoy four miles of mountain bike trails. This park was built with trails for all skill levels, so bring the whole family.
Nearby: Riverside Drive, French Broad River Greenway, Kolo Bike Park
Woodfin Homes for Sale
Woodfin is a small town just north of Asheville that has plenty of charm all its own. Richmond Hill Park is technically in Asheville, but it’s less than ten minutes from Woodfin, and it features a mountain biking park as well as trails. For seasoned cyclists, one of the most challenging (and rewarding) places to road bike is also near Woodfin: Elk Mountain Scenic Highway, which offers steep hills leading to beautiful mountain vistas.
Nearby: Richmond Hill Park, Elk Mountain Scenic Highway
Asheville Biking & Cycling Neighborhoods FAQs
Is Asheville a bike friendly city?
Downtown Asheville’s bike score is 58 out of 100, which means it has some infrastructure meant for bikers and is generally bikeable. However, the broader Asheville area only scored 33 out of 100, meaning that, in general, the roads are not very bike-friendly, and a car or public transport is the safest way to get around.
Where are the best areas to cycle around Asheville?
Downtown Asheville is a great place to cycle if you’re looking for a bite to eat and a tasty beer. This is true for West Asheville, too. Other small towns nearby that are great for cycling (either on roads or mountain trails) include Black Mountain, Weaverville, and Hendersonville.
Neighborhoods Near Pisgah Forest
Pisgah National Forest sprawls across the Asheville area, so there are many neighborhoods that have convenient access to the forest nearby. Take a look at some of the small towns and Asheville neighborhoods near Pisgah Forest.
Brevard Homes for Sale
Brevard is a small town southwest of Asheville, located adjacent to the southern part of Pisgah National Forest. Brevard is a short drive from some of the forest’s most popular attractions, Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls, as well as Bracken Preserve (which has walking trails and bike paths) and collection of trailheads and overlooks that will make any hiker’s heart happy.
Nearby: Bracken Preserve and Looking Glass Rock Trailhead in southern Pisgah Forest
Biltmore Lake Homes for Sale
You can’t get much closer to Pisgah Forest than Biltmore Lake, a high-end community southwest of Asheville that borders the forest. With trailheads nearby, it’s quick and easy to take a hike as a resident of this neighborhood – plus, when you want to take it easy, the community itself has four miles of trails and a 62-acre lake to enjoy.
Nearby: Bent Creek Trailhead and Hard Times Trailhead in southern Pisgah Forest
Barnardsville Homes for Sale
Barnardsville is a rural town northeast of Asheville, and it’s a prime location for those who want to be close to Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and (farther out) Linville Gorge. Less than a half hour from Asheville, this town offers close access to the forest without being too isolated from the city.
Nearby: Big Ivy Trailhead, Mount Mitchell State Park, and Graybeard Mountain in northern Pisgah Forest
Pisgah Forest Neighborhoods FAQs
How far is Pisgah National Forest from Asheville?
Pisgah National Forest covers a lot of area, with the closest points to Asheville being about 20 minutes away (for example, the Pisgah Forest Access Road – Baldwin Field Branch in South Asheville). The outermost areas of the forest are two hours away from Asheville or more.
What town is closest to Pisgah National Forest?
Asheville is located in between the two major sections of the forest. There are many small towns located near to (or even within) the forest, including Black Mountain, Old Fort, Candler, Canton, Brevard, Barnardsville, Hot Springs, and more.
Is Pisgah Forest a town?
There is an unincorporated community south of Asheville called Pisgah Forest. However, in most cases, the term “Pisgah Forest” is referring to the national forest.
Connect with our local experts
There are so many more walking trails, mountain biking paths, and can’t-miss locations in marvelous Pisgah National Forest and the Asheville area that we didn’t even get to mention. We’d love to share more about our favorite ways to get outdoors in the mountains, and we’re also ready to help you find your dream home in the Asheville area. Contact the Freestone Properties team to let us know what type of property you’re looking for, and we’ll work to make your dream a reality.
