Field guide
Running a Blue Ridge Parkway trail near Asheville
Find official information for a Blue Ridge Parkway hike or run. Learn about the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Craggy Gardens, and Craggy Pinnacle trails.
The Blue Ridge Parkway provides access to a trail system of over 369 miles. The trails feature waterfalls, vistas, and displays of wildflowers.
This guide covers official details for several trails accessible from the Asheville area, along with current conditions and rules for trail use.
Official facts at a glance
- Total hiking trail length
- Over 369 miles
- Parkway trails features
- Waterfalls, vistas, and beautiful displays of wildflowers
- Mailing address
- 199 Hemphill Knob Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
- Mountains-to-Sea Trail segment at NPS Asheville Visitor Center length
- 1.2 miles
- Craggy Gardens Trail initial uphill length
- .3 mile
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail walk time
- 20-minute walk
- Mountains-to-Sea Trail segment at NPS Asheville Visitor Center difficulty
- Easy/Moderate
- Hiking permit requirement
- No permit required
- Hiking caution due to storm damage
- Use caution on trails due to storm damage from Helene creating hazards
- Craggy Gardens Trail notable features
- Many wildflowers from spring through fall, blueberries on the bald
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail summit view
- Breathtaking 360-degree view
Sources: North Carolina Hiking Trails (nps.gov), Craggy Gardens Hiking Trails (nps.gov), Hiking (nps.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail at the visitor center
A 1.2-mile segment of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is located at the National Park Service Asheville Visitor Center. The difficulty of this section is rated as easy to moderate.
Craggy Gardens area trails
The Craggy Gardens Trail includes an initial uphill section of .3 mile. It has many wildflowers from spring through fall and blueberries on the bald.
The Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a 20-minute walk. Its summit provides a 360-degree view of the surrounding area.
Trail access and permits
The parkway system contains over 369 miles of hiking trails. A permit is not required for hiking activities on these trails.
Before you go
- Use caution on all trails due to potential hazards from storm damage.
- No permit is required for hiking.
- The Mountains-to-Sea Trail segment at the visitor center is 1.2 miles long.
- The Craggy Pinnacle Trail is a 20-minute walk.
- Wildflowers are present on the Craggy Gardens Trail from spring through fall.
Nearby options: running and active spots in Asheville. All cities: City running and hiking guides.