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Asheville Climbing Adventures Asheville Running Adventures
Corner Rock Boulder : Big , steep and concentrated : this boulder is like a little crag of problems . Perched above a creek in the majestic Pisgah National Forest this boulder is a true gem . Generally speaking , the boulder has a few warm-ups in the V2 to V5 range , but the bulk of the climbing is concentrated on the harder grades that make this one of the best testpieces for boulders in the Asheville area . With a wide range of problems ranging from V8 to V12 , this is a boulder that is perfect for the strongest climbers in the area looking to test their finger strength on one of the steepest blocks around . Directions From Asheville : Corner Rock is located ~ 35 minutes north of Asheville in the Big Ivy area of Pisgah National Forest . From Asheville , take I-26 W to Barnardsville and head east on Barnardsville Hwy until you see Dillingham Rd on your right . Follow Dillingham Rd into Pisgah National Forest and past a gate for ~ 1.7 + miles to a sharp
bend at Corner Rock Creek with two parking areas . Hike 200 yards up the trail to the boulder .
Looking Glass Rock ( Brevard ): Looking Glass Rock features enough routes to occupy many a full day of adventure . Steeped in history and set in the most beautiful part of the Pisgah , the massive granite dome includes climbs of all varieties and grades , providing challenges for first-time novices and experienced veterans alike . Tucked away beneath the 500-foot-tall North Face of Looking Glass Rock are a handful of classic boulder problems well worth a visit . The boulders are located 1 / 4 mile before the base of the cliff on both sides of the trail when approaching the North Side . Climbmax Climbing Guides specialize in guided adventures for all regardless of their previous experience , age , or abilities , making them a great fit for a first-time trip up Looking Glass Rock or other local climbing areas . Directions
from Asheville : Take I-26 E to Exit 40 . Turn right on NC 280 towards Brevard for 16 miles to Hwy 276 . Turn right on Hwy 276 N into the Pisgah NF . Go 5.3 miles to left at the State Fish Hatchery sign . Continue straight on the gravel road to the fork , then bear right 1.2 miles . The first parking area is for the South Face , the second for the Nose Area , and the third for the North Face .
Cedar Rock ( Pisgah , Brevard ): With a vast difficulty range that accommodates all skill levels and over two dozen varied climbs , Cedar Rock is a popular yet typically uncrowded climbing destination . The dome ’ s main wall features classic climbs like Cedar Pie and Toads R Us , requiring delicate face climbing , but also has numerous shorter climbs in the vicinity . At about 1,000 feet higher in elevation than Looking Glass Rock , air temperatures are typically cooler , and the views are stunning . Directions from
Asheville : Take I-26 E to Exit 40 . Turn right on NC 280 for 16 miles to Hwy 276 . Turn right on Hwy 276 N into the Pisgah National Forest . Go 5.3 miles to left at State Fish Hatchery sign . Continue straight for about 3 miles on gravel road past the road to Looking Glass Rock parking area . Turn left onto Gloucester Gap Rd . and head 2.2 miles to parking .
Smoky Mountain Adventure Center : Asheville ’ s only climbing gym with sport climbing features a 34-foot high climbing wall and bouldering gym - as well as cold beer served up between burns . Directions from Asheville : SMAC is located at 173 Amboy Road between the French Broad River Park and Carrier Park .
Stony Knob ( Blue Ridge Parkway ): The Stony Bald Boulders are on the south face of Stony Bald , NC at over 4000 ’ and up the hill from the Shut-in Ridge trail . Generally , the area features overhanging rock with positive holds . There are two sets of obvious boulders along the trail . The second cluster holds the
highest concentration . Directions from Asheville : Head south to the Blue Ridge Parkway and travel south past MilePost 402 and look for parking at a gravel road on the right ( Hwy 151 ). Cross the parkway and turn left onto the MTS Trail for about a half mile to the boulders on your left .
Mountains to Sea ( Parkway North MP 380 ): This trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway on the edge of Asheville offering trail runners easy access to extensive forest runs . From the Folk Art Center , head north for a steady climb up to the Haw Creek Overlook , or head south for an easier out and back over rolling terrain . Directions from Asheville : Take I-240 E to Exit 7 / Tunnel Rd ./ US 70 . Take Tunnel Rd ./ US 70 E ( left off the exit ) for about 3 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway . Take a right off Tunnel Rd ./ US 70 E to get on to the Parkway . At the stop sign turn right onto the Parkway . The Folk Art Center is about 1 / 4 mile on your left . Park there and look for the white Mountains to Sea trail blaze .
Shut In Trail ( Asheville ): This 16.3-mile trail starts near the N . C .
Arboretum , and follows a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail . With tough climbs and the long one-way mileage , most users opt for an out and back option , going whichever distance suits them . If you have a way to leave a vehicle , then there are plenty of access points along the Blue Ridge Parkway , including at the end of the trail at the Mt . Pisgah parking lot . Directions from Asheville : Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 33 , NC 191 / Brevard Rd . Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles to the Bent Creek Park lot on the left located beside the river . The trail starts by following the path through the bridge that will take you under the road . Once you cross the street , stay left and you ’ ll see the trailhead .
Historic Montford ( Asheville ): Starting from the northern edge of downtown , the historic neighborhood of Montford is packed with centuryold arts and crafts architecture as well as the Riverside Cemetery , a popular running destination with car-free paths passing by the gravesites of Asheville ’ s most prominent citizens , including Thomas Wolfe and O . Henry . Directions from Asheville : This run is just north of downtown so a great parking spot is at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce which is located at 36 Montford Ave . right off I-240 Exit 4C .
Lover ’ s Leap Trail ( Hot Springs ): Part run , part steep hike , the
Lover ’ s Leap Loop follows the Appalachian Trail from downtown Hot Springs , along the French Broad River , and climbs the ridge to Lover ’ s Leap rock overlooking the river and the surrounding mountains . The beautiful view is well worth the effort . Take Lover ’ s Leap Trail back down the ridge for a 2-mile loop . Directions from Asheville : Take 1-26 W / US 19 / 23 N to Weaverville then US 25 / US 70 W to Hot Springs . If you park in town head north on Bridge Street and cross the bridge over the French Broad River . Be sure to follow the white Appalachian Trail blazes . After crossing the bridge step over the guard rail and follow the path to the street below . Continue to head up river following the AT blazes until the trail takes a sharp turn up the mountain .
Run The RAD : The flat terrain of the French Broad River valley combined with miles of greenway paths and broad shoulders along the roads make for an ideal running location . The Wedge / 12 Bones parking area at The Foundation makes for an ideal starting and finishing location . We like the loop that explores the greenways to Hominy Creek Park and beyond for a quick out and back warm-up before staying on the West side of the French Broad along the greenway to New Belgium and looping back via River Road or a combination of side roads .
Directions from Asheville : From downtown Asheville , take I-240 W to Exit 1-B ( Farmers Market , Hwy . 191 ). Turn left at the light and pass over I-240 . Turn left at the very next light ( I-240 E / I-26 W ) and stay in the right lane . Take Exit 1-C ( Amboy Rd .) and continue to 5 Foundy Street , Asheville , NC .