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The Asheville Hiking Group

Asheville, NC, US

14,837 members · Public group

Organized by Tracey R. and 42 others

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What we’re about

Interested in taking a short, long, or somewhere in the middle length hike in western North Carolina? Everything from a quick (3-4 hour) hike to a full day of hiking. Check us out and experience the pristine and amazing wilderness of western North Carolina!!!

Everyone is welcome to the group, beginner or expert, 2 legs or 4 (depending on the hike organizer and the location), young and old. Please note that, while the group is open to everyone, not all hikes are appropriate for everyone. Hike organizers reserve the right to limit the hike size and screen potential participants to ensure their own safety and that of others in the group. Hike organizers will also try to post as much information as possible about the hike, however since there are so many trails in the area, we have not always hiked them before and are sometimes relying on published or posted information.

The fee for this meetup group is paid for by the Organizer. Contact the organizer, Tracey, if you would like to donate to the meetup fees. Please remember that our hike leaders are volunteers. We are doing this because we enjoy hiking, and want everyone else to enjoy it too.

Suggestions are GREATLY appreciated! So, come on in, interact, enjoy yourself, and we'll see you on the trail!

Upcoming events (4+)

Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 9:00 AM EDTCold Knob - Brushy - Trace - Spencer FITNESS HIKE, 11 mi (2,300 ft)
Bent Creek Gap, Asheville, NC
LOCATION: Meet at Bent Creek Gap -- Parkway mile 400.3 -- drive to lower level under the Parkway and park on side of gravel road.

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/cold-knob-brushy-trace-spencer-3da972c

Any rain cancellation will be made by 7:00am.

PACE: Fitness hikes proceed at a steady BRISK pace adjusting for steepness of grade. PLEASE BE IN SHAPE AND CAPABLE OF HIKING THIS DISTANCE WITH ELEVATION. This is not a hike for beginners. If your interests include outdoor fitness hiking for cardio conditioning and endurance join us. This is a loop hike on unmarked trails; we cannot include hikers who cannot keep up.

DOGS: Dogs are welcome as long as they are trail friendly, and you bring a leash.

IF YOU SIGN ON THIS HIKE AND CHANGE YOU MIND (EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST) GO BACK TO THE RSVP LINK AND CHANGE YOUR STATUS TO FREE UP YOUR RESERVED SPOT.

This is a level 7 hike.
Hike Levels:Level 1; 300-600 feet elevation gain; Level 2 600-900'; Level 3, 900-1200"; Level 4; 1200-1500' Level 5; 1500-1800' LEVEL 6; 1800-2100' Level 7; 2100-2400' Level 8; 2400-2700' Level 9; 2700-3000' Level 10; 3000-4000' ULTIMATE HIKES; > 4000'

Release of Liability:
The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms
5 attendees
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 9:15 AM EDTSilver Stairs Falls / Jones Gap Loop, approximately 9 miles 1500' elev gain
Silver Steps Falls Parking, Cleveland, SC
We'll meet at the Silver Stairs Falls parking lot at 9:15 for a 9:30 sharp start of the hike. The parking lot is at 35.115, -82.644 on rt 276 south of Brevard. There is a $3.00 per person (not per car) parking fee.

From the parking lot we'll start on the Silver Stairs Falls trail down to the Jones Gap trail. We'll follow Jones Gap to the Jones Gap Falls, stop for lunch/snack. Return on Jones Gap to the Coldspring Branch trail where we'll climb back up to 276 and the Raven Cliffs parking lot. Then a short hike on the Tom Miller trail back to the Silver Stairs Falls parking.

The total hike is just over 9 miles, with 1,500' of elevation gain, most of it in the last 2 miles.

Dogs are welcome. I will have my dog with me.
3 attendees
Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 5:45 PM EDTScenic AVL #4 - Weaverville Wander
Lake Louise Park Public Bathrooms, Weaverville, NC
Rating: Strenuous for Steep Elevation Gain
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Surface: Road
Pace: 3 mph on the flats, best effort up Hamburg Mtn
Gear: 2L water, snack, poles for the climb up Hamburg.

Starting Location: We will meet at the Lake Louise Public Bathrooms. Call the organizer if you can not find us. 828-290-0886
If you are running late: Intercept us at the corner of Highland and Church Street. There is a Presbyterian Church parking lot at 30 Alabama Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787.

if you are early, check out the Weaverville Tailgate Market – Proudly serving the Weaverville community since 2009 https://share.google/h4jUg5Zuj5vVIM88H

In case of bad weather, the hike will cancel by 4:00 pm, and be rescheduled to the following week.

Route: Weaverville Wander

Features: Get to know Weaverville, Lake Louise, and views from the top. This route begins at Lake Louise, through the east Weaverville neighborhood, up-up-up Hamburg mountain, and through downtown.
Dogs: On leash, with water and snacks

Cautions: There is a 300 ft stretch along Hamburg Mountain road, which has limited shoulder and will require us to walk single-file.

Know your pace! Please note that this is a relatively fast paced hike, 3.2 mph, with a lot of slow climb, and one long steep section. Please be aware of your abilities and level of physical fitness. We will stop and wait for people to catch up in certain spots and for water breaks, but we don't want to leave people behind or wait a long time. It will take about 2 hrs to complete.

Scenic Asheville Series: There are 9 hikes in the series; hike them all and receive an attractive badge for your backpack. Check your status HERE.
Special Perk for Badge Holders: If you have a badge and you are on the waitlist, you may always come on the hike.

Waitlist: Please note that people that come to my hikes regularly may be bumped up above newcomers on the waitlist, particularly if they only need 1 or 2 hikes to get their badge. This is to reward people who come regularly, and it is also to be fair to new people who want to be on the hikes. Please keep an eye on your RSVP status.

After Eats: Blue Mountain Pizza https://maps.app.goo.gl/JarprXUQYTDz7SaY7

On-Time Departure
I typically have 1 or 2 no-shows on my hikes, so we don't wait for people to arrive. If you are late, you'll be left behind.

Please change your RSVP as soon as you know you can't make it.

Notes and comments are genuinely appreciated.

If you have questions, call the hike leader at 828-290-0886.

Guests: Please ask guests to sign up for the hike themselves. This is not an easy hike, and so it is important that everyone sign up themselves so that they know that this is a strenuous hike.

Disclaimer and Release of Liability:
This activity involves hiking on city streets that may have traffic. Participants are responsible for their safety on streets and trails. The organizer of this trip is a volunteer and not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. If you sign up or participate in this event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries, illnesses, and damages arising from, as a result of, and associated with this event. In addition, you acknowledge that you agree to the Meetup terms: https://www.meetup.com/terms
17 attendees+12
Fri, Sep 5, 2025, 8:00 AM EDTMills River-BRP: Spencer Gap & Ferrin Knob 6 miles, 1225’ ascent
Bent Creek Gap, North Carolina, NC
Directions: From I-26, exit 33 (Blue Ridge Parkway, Brevard Rd) : South on Brevard Rd (NC-191) for 2.4 miles to the light at the Arboretum / BRP entrance. Turn Right (West) on the BRP to trailhead
Trailhead: Bent Creek Gap: BRP milepost 400.3 at Bent Creek Gap Rd--take the gravel road on the left to park under the overpass. Departing on time: 8:00. Look for Silver Lincoln SUV. Cell: 239-777-4743
Details: Hike south of the BRP from Bent Creek Gap Road into the Mills River area, and then north of the BRP over Ferrin Knob. Some rocky footing and fairly steep climbs up Trace Ridge and Ferrin Knob. Starting from BRP milepost 400.3: Walk down the National Forest Rd for 1-3/4 miles to a right on Spencer Gap trail; then up Trace Ridge trail for a short distance to the BRP. Pickup the Mountain-to-Sea Trail on the north side of the BRP opposite Beaverdam Gap Overlook. Climb Ferrin Knob for a snack break, and return to the trailhead. Type: Loop Max elev: 4000’. Avg moving pace: 2.4 mph. Difficulty (1=effortless, 10=hard): 5. Dogs: welcome if well-behaved, leashed, and subject to area restrictions. Option of having a beer/lunch at the Stoneridge tavern following the hike
**Courtesy (Please read carefully!)** Only sign up if you \*truly\* plan to come. If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon as possible. Avoid dropping out within 24 hours so that wait-listers can have sufficient notice. And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.
LEGALESE
This Asheville Hiking Group event involves hiking and, possibly, transportation to and from the meetup site. Participants are responsible for their own safety and affirm that they have the appropriate skills, physical conditioning, equipment, and supplies. Hiking may involve risks to oneself and property. Neither your hike organizer nor Asheville Hiking Group can assure your safety nor eliminate all risks. By signing up for this event, participant understands and agrees.
15 attendees+10

Past events (3720)

Sun, Aug 31, 2025, 9:00 AM EDTStrawberry Gap
This event has passed
6 attendees+1

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