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The Asheville Hiking Group

Asheville, NC, US

14,864 members · Public group

Organized by Tracey R. and 41 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)

Fri, Sep 26, 2025, 9:00 AM EDTLedford Branch Loop: 5 mi., 500 ft. Elev. Gain
Ledford Branch Trailhead, Asheville, NC
[RSVP opens Sunday Sept. 21st, 8:00 pm]

This is a typical lovely hike in the Bent Creek area. The route I've cobbled together adds up to about 5 miles and a relatively mild 500' elevation gain. With the hills and moderate pace -- around 2.4 mph -- I'd rate it 2.5 on a 0-10 difficulty scale. It's not a "fitness hike," but you'll need to be able to walk up and down some hilly terrain.

We'll traverse a mishmash of trail segments and connectors, from wide gravel roads to single-file trails, mostly good footing. Around halfway through we'll find a spot for a short snack break.

Wear sensible hiking footwear. Bring some water. If you're on the fence about hiking poles, you probably don't need them for this one.

Dog Policy: Dogs are extremely welcome but must be leashed.

Guest Policy: If you'd like to bring a guest, they should join the Asheville Hiking Group and sign up for the hike on their own. Alternatively, contact me in advance and ask if it's okay to bring a "+1" after you've made it onto the "Going" list. Depending on timing and demand, I MAY be able to add your guest.

MEET-UP TIME AND PLACE
Carpooling is encouraged. We'll meet at the Asheville Tanger Outlets by 8:45 AM. Here's the precise location on Google Maps within the Tanger Outlets parking lot, behind the Waffle House.

Asheville Outlets carpooling.

If you want to meet at the trailhead, be at the Ledford Branch parking lot a few minutes before 9:00 AM for sign-in and introductions. It may be busy, so leave some extra time in case you need to park along the access road. We'll hit the trail a.s.a.p. after 9:00 AM.

TRAILHEAD DIRECTIONS
From Exit 33 on I-26,
Head south on Brevard Rd. (Rt. 191) for 2 miles
Right at the lights on Bent Creek Ranch Rd.
After .3 miles bear left onto Wesley Branch Rd.
Go about 2 miles, past Rice Pinnacle and Hard Times Trailheads
Bear right at the fork & the sign for Ledford Branch Trailhead.
Go around 500' to the parking lot on the right.

Trailhead Parking Lot

COURTESY TO WAIT-LISTERS (Please abide!)
Only sign up if you *TRULY* plan to come. If you must cancel, please change your status to "Not Going" as soon as possible so wait-listers will have sufficient notice. And please please PLEASE don't be a no-show.
If you're on the waiting list, keep checking the evening before. Despite what I wrote above, we always get last-minute dropouts.

WEATHER
I'll monitor National Weather Service forecasts for the hike area and email cancellation messages by 7:30 AM if the forecast is for more than a 50% chance of precipitation.

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, message me through MeetUp until 8:00 AM the day of. Cell reception may be sketchy on the trail, but you can try to text or call me up to the start of the hike: (803) 767-3094.

--------------------
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, by joining a hike, 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 eliminate all risks or be responsible for your well-being. Participants assume full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses.
14 attendees+9
Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 9:00 AM EDTFolk Art to Haw Creek Valley Overlook via Bull Mtn
Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC
The Bull Mountain area, west of the Parkway and north of the Folk Art Center, has a rabbit warren of neighborhood social trails near the MST. It offers an alternative and interesting route up to the Haw Creek Valley overlook. We'll start at Folk Art and the MST to the Bull Mountain Trailhead, then walk up Bull Mountain to the Bull Mountain Labyrinth--sans Minitaur--and then hike our way through the area where squirrels fall out of trees up to the Parkway at milepost 381. Using a spur trail, we'll access the MST to the Haw Creek Valley overlook (aka lunch rock) where we'll take our break. Afterwards, it's MST all the way back to Folk Art.

A few trails have several large tree trunks straddling them. If you can't climb over a 4-foot tree trunk, this is, perhaps, not your hike.

There be bears in the Bull Mountain area; ergo, no dogs.

Stats:
Distance: approx. 6.5 miles
Pace: approx. 2 mph
Ascent: approx. 800 feet

Release of Liability Boilerplate:
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](https://www.meetup.com/terms)
1 attendee
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 10:00 AM EDTBearwallow Mountain up and over, out and back
Needs location
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3gcVKqRCyi416ULs9

approx 5 miles, 950 feet of elevation gain

this is a beautiful trail with some moderately technical (rocky) areas

nice views from atop Bearwallow Mountain, and the view from the valley ain't too shabby neither

pace of 2.0 - 2.5 mph

well behaved dogs are welcome to attend

will fill in the blanks, cut and paste the remainder fairly soon
12 attendees+7
Sat, Oct 11, 2025, 10:00 AM EDTCamino del Sur. Section 7 - Strenuous - S. Asheville Loop 11.5 mi.
Ingles (just south of I-40 on Hendersonville Rd), Asheville, NC
Please join me for a morning hike around part of South Asheville in a big loop! Hike is considered strenuous for length.

Where: We'll meet at 780 Hendersonville Road. Ingles Parking Lot. GPS: 35.54428664773419, -82.53269120944059.

Pace:
We'll be walking at a brisk 2.5 to 3.0 mph, leaning more toward 3.0 mph, even uphill. Please be mindful of your fitness level, but don’t worry—we'll take breaks at a few spots to let everyone catch up. While we’ll pause, we can’t wait too long, so come ready for a solid workout!

No-Shows:
I’ll be keeping an eye on no-shows. If you RSVP and don’t show up without changing your RSVP or letting me know ahead of time, you may end up on the waitlist for future hikes.

Waitlist:
Regular hikers may get bumped up from the waitlist because I want to emphasize community first, but if you are a regular that stops attending for a few months, you could lose that priority. Make sure to check your RSVP status, even on the day of the hike, as it might change at the last minute! People tend to drop out left and right sometimes. If you're still on the waitlist, please don't show up. Plus-ones for people on the waitlist aren’t allowed—let's keep it fair for those eager to join!

Bringing a Plus-One:
If you’re bringing a friend, please select the +1 option when you RSVP or edit your response. It helps me keep an accurate headcount! Make sure your guest is also up for the pace and distance.

Optional Rucking:
I might bring along a weighted pack (rucking) for an extra challenge, but it's totally optional! Rucking is great training for backpacking. If you’re carrying more than 15 lbs, I recommend a proper backpack designed for heavy loads to prevent discomfort or injury. If you’re new to this, start light!

Eats/Drinks:
Drinks / eats will be at either Burial Beer Forestry Camp or the Village Pub.
6 attendees+1

Past events (3741)

Wed, Sep 24, 2025, 9:30 AM EDTMt. Mitchell to Winter Star, 8.4mi, 2,900ft, Fitness Hike
This event has passed
10 attendees+5

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