Guided Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway
This page lists all the Best Hikes (Guided Hikes) along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Choose a Parkway section to see hikes within that section.
Craggy Gardens
1.4mi, Easy
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
This self-guiding nature trail passes through a high-elevation Northern Hardwood forest to a Heath Bald, and finally into a Grassy Summit. A large trail shelter makes an excellent spot for a picnic. Visit during mid to late June for a spectacular display of Catawba Rhododendron blossoms. Visit in late summer for a bountiful harvest of fresh mountain blueberries. And visit any time of year to study the high elevation environment in the Craggy Gardens area!
Craggy Pinnacle
1.4mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
This popular trail climbs a short distance from a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook to a high, rocky peak overlooking the Craggy Gardens area. Blooming rhododendrons put on a fantastic display on this trail in late June. Twisted trees grow in the high-elevation Birch forest. Spectacular 360 degree views of the Visitor Center, the North Fork Reservoir, and the sourrounding mountains and valleys reward your climb.
Skinny Dip Falls
1.25mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
This moderate, short hike takes you to an appealing waterfall and swimming hole on the Yellowstone Prong of the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. It makes a great summer swimming destination, a great way to stretch your legs if you're traveling the parkway, and a great place for photographers - both for the falls and forest scenes and wildflowers on the way down. If you're feeling hoppy, this would make the start of a more strenuous trek into Graveyard Fields.
Crabtree Falls
2.5mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Few Hills
- Tread Condition: Few Hills
This popular, short loop descends moderately to a majestic 70' waterfall, which has been touted as one of the most photogenic in the area. You'll climb steeply up the opposite ridge for a short distance, then hike a wide, smooth trail beside the stream. Many very large trees grace the forest in this area. Finish out the loop by climbing gently through a beautiful hardwood forest. Can you find the Fraser Magnolia, which has the largest leaves of any tree in the woods? Starts in a Blue Ridge Parkway campground which makes a good base camp for further explorations into the area.
Mount Pisgah
3mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
A classic Blue Ridge Parkway hike, this trail continues onto National Forest land to climb to the summit of one of the area's most well-known peaks. Easily visible from most of downtown Asheville, Mount Pisgah's 5721' peak supports the transmission tower for WLOS-TV, channel 13, in Asheville. The trail itself is a rocky, steep climb through Northern hardwood forests and rhododendron and mountain laurel tunnels to the summit, where 360 degree views await!
