Discover Asheville: A Comprehensive List of Things to Do
08 Into the woods
Land once belonging to the influential Vanderbilt family created Pisgah National Forest. Ten minutes from downtown Asheville, this historic wilderness was established in 1916, making it one of the first National Forests in the Eastern United States. It comprises approximately half a million acres of hardwood forest, along with some of the highest mountain peaks in the region. There are also several notable waterfalls, including Moore Cove Falls and Looking Glass Falls, both of which are easily accessible. Not to be missed is Sliding Rock Natural Waterslide, a 60-foot slide down smoothed rock. In addition to hiking trails, there are also several trails that accommodate mountain biking.
Pisgah was once home to the first forestry school in the US. The story of the school is interpreted at the Cradle of Forestry in America historic site. The North Carolina Arboretum is also located within Pisgah National Forest.
