The Adventure Collective 2017 WNC Adventure Guide | Page 7

7
Perfect Weekend
Adventure Guide
Explore the RiverWay: Carrier Park and
the French Broad River Park are the jewels of the
17-mile Wilma Dykeman RiverWay. Both parks are located
along Amboy Road and offer visitors a chance to run or walk
the paved greenways, fish from the piers, or pedal Asheville’s
velodrome. Also be sure to check out the bocce fields, the
dog park, and ball fields. For a fun adventure, we recommend
taking a bike from Hominy Creek Park to New Belgium
Brewing and enjoy all that these parks have to offer along the
way. Directions: 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.). There are two parking areas along Amboy Rd.—
Carrier Park is the first on your right; the French Broad River Park
will be on your left a few miles down Amboy.
Float the French Broad: For those who want
to play Huck Finn for a day, float by raft or drift boat
through the Biltmore Estate is the way to go. while casting for
some of the elusive, but hard fighting Smallmouth Bass. Drift
past forests and vineyards, casting crease flies and poppers to
feisty smallmouth bass that lurk along the rocky shoals. A few
musky are caught every year throwing big streamers with wire
leaders, but the phenomenal smallie fishing and the scenery is
the big draw. You can wade the Bent Creek area when water
levels allow. Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W
to exit 1B (Brevard Rd.). Turn right off the ramp to an immediate
left onto Shelburne Rd, then first left again onto Hominy Creek
Rd. to reach French Broad Outfitters and Hominy Creek for the
takeout. [phone]. The put-in can be reached by taking I-240
W to I-26 E and get off on exit 33, NC 191. Turn left and head
south on NC 191 passing the Bent Creek Forest/Lake Powhatan
Access and N.C. Arobretum on the right to a left turn into the
Bent Creek park.
Go Climbing:
If you are looking to do
some climbing at one of the best known climbing
establishments in Asheville, head over to Climbmax Climbing
Center. Head indoors to test your moves on over 4000 square
feet of climbing space. If you want to feel the sunshine while
climbing, take a lap on their 40 foot outdoor climbing wall. The
good thing about this climbing gym is that it has a challenge
for all types of climbers—beginners, advanced, kids, adults, etc.
Also, be sure to ask for Asheville’s own climbing guru—Stuart
Cowles. Directions: This is located in the heart of downtown
on 43 Wall Street; one block over from the Grove Arcade.
Hard Times Loop:
This 6-mile loop uses
old Forest Service road beds, and does offer patchy
views of the Asheville skyline and the Biltmore Estate along
the way. Head out at the bottom of the parking lot, and head
left to follow the river. You’ll pass through the gate into the
Arboretum property. Follow to climb up the ridge until it dips
back down to where you started by the river. Bent Creek can
be a maze of intersecting trails and road beds, so remember
your map. Directions from Asheville: From Asheville,
take I-26 East and exit onto Exit 33 to NC 191. Turn left to head
south on NC 191 for two miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto
Bent Creek Ranch Road, following the brown signs to the Lake
Powhatan Recreation Area (bear left at fork after 0.2 mi on this
road). The paved parking area at the Hardtimes trailhead is just
over two miles down this road on the left. If you reach the Lake
Powhatan / campground parking area you’ve gone too far.
Lake Julian Disc Golf Course
(Asheville): Offering a nice mix of holes mostly
located in beautiful mixed hardwood forests near Lake Julian.
The tight fairways make for numerous challenges, especially
considering the dense terrain found just off the fairway on
many of the holes. While not too terribly steep, the course
does offer a nice bit of elevation change throughout while
taking in the views of Lake Julian. Directions: From Asheville
head east on I-26 to Biltmore Park exit. Take Long Shoals to a right
on Hendersonville Rd and look for the park entrance about 1
mile on the right.
Relax At A Spa: Shoji Retreat (96 Avondale Heights
Rd. 828-299-1999): Japanese style outdoor hot tubs and cold
plunges with mountain views.
Savor The Flavor: French Broad Chocolate Lounge’s
tagline is “a sacred space for chocophiles.”After trying their
liquid truffle, we think you will agree. Don’t miss out on the
hand-carfted artisanal chocalates and pastries at the French
Broad Chocolate Lounge.
Local Brew: Head to the LAB to grab a great lunch and
get started with their delicious brews before making your way
to the South Slope’s Brewery District to sample craft brews
from some of Asheville’s up-and-coming breweries. Bring in
the weekend outdoors by heading to Highland Brewing on
Friday afternoons where patrons will find live music, food
trucks and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere in their large
grassy field.
Killer Tunes: The Orange Peel is one of the most
well respected live music venues in the Southeast and hosts
big name acts and up and comers alike. The Grey Eagle
brings great bands to their rustic stage for an intimate concert
experience that will have you reminscing about the great times
for years to come.
Find Your Way: Head to Diamond Brand
Outdoors in downtown Asheville for driving
directions to these and other adventures or download our
free mobile app for turn-by-turn navigation to each of these
adventures and find even more adventures in the Asheville area.