A friend of mine who has never hiked before is going to meet me in Asheville, NC in late April. I would like to give my friend a good introduction, hopefully with a peak or two and some scenic views. Is there anywhere within an hour or so of Asheville? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for your help.
goodwillhiker
Well, I don’t know about making a loop thru there, but an up and back of Max Patch would be a cool endeavor. Max Patch is more or less halfway into the 30-mile stretch of the AT from I-40 to Hot Springs. The open summit on a good day is fantastic! I camped on the top on my hike and it was one of the most memorable camps along the trail. The views are terrific!
Sweeper
I agree, Max Patch is a magical place. You just feel like you’re on top of everything and can see so far… if it’s nice weather, of course.
I don’t know how far your friend wants to hike, but if he’s less ambitious he could drive to Max Patch and then hike into Hot Springs with you – that’s about 19 miles which I remember (perhaps deceptively) as easy and mostly downhill.
hypatia
Max Patch is a great, peaceful place, but I’m remembering there isn’t a lot around it. Either a climb up a mountian I’m not remembering with no view (Bluff Mtn?) into Hot Springs. Or over that cleared off Mountain with the satellite thingy on top right before the Smokies. Or maybe I’ve just forgotten everything and I’m losing my status as the walking data book. Some guys I was hiking with hitched into Asheville from a big road on the south side of Big Bald. Is that far from Asheville? Big Bald was gorgeous, but definitely not as peaceful as Max Patch. 5000+ ft versus 3000+. Roan Mtn can’t be that far away either. Supposed to be real pretty with all the Rhodedendron. Grimace
Grimace
It’s a little over an hour, but standing Indian has a lot of connector trails and a couple of good views like Albert Mountain and Standing Indian Mountain. With some planning I’m sure you could work out a 20-30 mile loop using the connector trails. It was the first place I ever hiked overnight, or on the AT back when I was 12.
SGT Rock