The City of Asheville has begun a multi-year, multi-million dollar project under the Asheville Greenways Master Plan which will eventually offer a minimum of 29 miles of multi-use trails through 14 corridors, connecting to parks, rivers, and even long distance trails such as North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail.
Unfortunately, due to Asheville's narrow, twisty streets and winding mountain highways, and the abysmal state of city sidewalks (in 2005 the City identified almost twenty-seven MILLION dollars, $26,908,411.00 of needed sidewalk construction, upgrades, and repairs), the city has not been very pedestrian or bicycle friendly in the past. This project represents a major step forward for the city, from just being close to places to walk and bike, to being one itself.
The Wilma Dykeman Riverway is a proposed project to contruct a vehicular parkway and multi-use paths along the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers through the city. The Riverway would include a variety of recrational, art, and outdoor facilities, and connect with several Greenways. These ambitious plans would seal the deal in terms of Asheville's desirability as an outdoor destination and a place for companies to be with a high quality of living for its workers.
In addition to the greenways, hikers and walkers who enjoy an urban setting can "hike" the Asheville Urban Trail, a 1.7 mile journey through city streets, to historic markers, past museums, shops, and more.
North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail follows the Blue Ridge Parkway through Asheville and extends in both directions from town. Many of Asheville's best hikes can be found along sections of this long trail. For more information, see Short Hikes Near Asheville.
Just outside Asheville's limits lies the Pisgah National Forest. Particularly, the Bent Creek area makes a great place to hike when you don't have a lot of time to drive from downtown.
As reported in this Asheville Citizen Times article, more greenways are envisioned for Western North Carolina - including connections to Hendersonville, Brevard, Dupont State Forest, and Tennessee from Asheville. But don't hold your breath. Only 6 of 29 miles of greenways planned for the city of Asheville are on the ground, and they're short and disconnected. Let's finish what we already have planned first before dreaming that big!
