The small city of Asheville, tucked into the Swannanoa and French Broad River valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is famous for its colleges, breweries, and adventurous, outdoor-oriented, environmentally-conscious locals. There are fantastic options for running in Asheville, as well as boundless trail running owing to the beauty of the surrounding mountains. PRO TIP: Gorgeous in spring, with budding flowers in the historic district, Biltmore Mansion, and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Some of the in-town highlights include the Asheville Urban Trail, the inspiring residences of the Montford neighborhood, and the riverside paths of the French Broad River Greenway. The top outdoor destination in Asheville is probably the Bent River Greenway, which has lots of great running options. We also love the gardens of the Biltmore Estate, the pastoral paths of Warren Wilson College, the jogging trail at Fletcher Community Park, and the loop around Beaver Lake. We’ve also included a few trail running highlights, but note that there are extensive options in the Asheville area, such as in the Pisgah National Forest, on the Appalachian Trail, and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. And if driving the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, there are some opportunities to enjoy the area on foot as well. Note: If you’d like to have a guided running experience in Asheville, we highly recommend our affiliate partner Go! Running Tours.
As for getting around, a car is an almost must, although a trolley loops around downtown, and the ART Bus System extends through Asheville and to Black Mountain.
