Road Biking around Asheville
For road bikes, a popular spot is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Read some great tips about biking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Also, read a biker's journal of his ride of the entire Parkway. There are plenty of country roads to explore in the North Carolina mountains. In Asheville, Carrier Park has a paved track for biking loops and is located along the 2.8-mile French Broad River Greenway in West Asheville at the French Broad River Park. It's part of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan, a major urban waterfront redevelopment project. Our favorite paved greenway near Asheville is the Point Lookout Greenway Bike Trail, a very scenic 3.6-mile paved greenway that climbs 900 ft. in elevation. Completed in 2019, the Thermal Belt Rail Trail is 13.5 miles of mostly level paved path that connects the towns of Forest City, Rutherfordton, and others.
Bike Rentals
If you do not bring your bike, you can rent mountain bikes and mountain e-bikes in town at the Adventure Center of Asheville. For a convenient place to rent and service bikes near Tsali Recreational Area, go to Nantahala Outdoor Center. Their bike shop is only ten minutes from Tsali, and they have their own Flint Ridge Trail with great views of the Nantahala Gorge.
Mountain Biking
As you may guess, mountain biking is big in the Asheville area of the North Carolina mountains. Just south of the city, you will find a variety of mountain bike trails at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest and the NC Arboretum next door. The Pisgah Forest District’s other popular biking areas include Bent Creek, near Asheville; Trace Ridge, near the town of Mills River; Davidson River, near Brevard; and South Mills River, near the town of Pisgah Forest. About an hour west of Asheville is the nationally known Tsali Recreation Area. Near downtown, go to the Asheville Adventure Center to the Kolo Bike Park.
Beech Mountain
Follow the training route of Lance Armstrong. Beech Mountain is a biker's mountain offering something for everyone. The Adventure Trail Park is a series of trails on both public and private land, maintained by the Town of Beech Mountain, that includes single track, double track, technical downhill runs, freeride areas, fire roads, and old unmaintained gravel roads. USA Cycling chose Beech Mountain Resort as the site of the Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships. The resort, the highest ski area in eastern North America, is developing the course and enhancing its lifts with the goal of creating an advanced facility for all mountain bike enthusiasts. On summer weekends, ride the chairlift up and bike down! And it's always cooler at this high elevation. See our Beech Mountain Guide.
Tsali
The most popular mountain biking area is Tsali Recreation Area in Nantahala National Forest, with 40+ miles of trails near Bryson City. See our Tsali Biking Guide.
Bent Creek Mountain Biking
Located in Asheville near the NC Arboretum, Bent Creek's collection of trails is great for all levels of mountain bike riders, with easier flat trails to trails with large climbs and technical sections. Bent Creek is popular for after-dinner rides because it is just a few minutes' drive from downtown Asheville. Lake Powhatan has a great campground. See our Bent Creek & Lake Powhatan Guide.
DuPont State Recreational Forest - Our Favorite!
DuPont State Recreational Forest, fast becoming one of the leading mountain bike destinations in Western North Carolina. This forest offers 86 miles of trail, nearly all of which is open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. Please note that no e-bikes or pedal assist bikes are allowed at DuPont State Recreational Forest. DuPont offers everything from gentle forest roads to exciting single tracks, with an impressive variety of scenic attractions located only minutes apart. Ride across a granite summit at Cedar Rock (pic at top of page) or gentle dirt roads to Bridal Veil Falls. The Gunion Farm area in the forest (home to Wintergreen Falls) is a biker's favorite with a network of trails.
Lake Lure
New bike trails have opened in Lake Lure at Buffalo Creek Park. The current trail snakes upward in a 3.5-mile loop that climbs approximately 500 ft. through forest terrain and boulder fields. Continue 8 more miles to Eagle Rock. More to come soon. Read more in our Lake Lure Guide.
North Mills River
About 14 miles from Bent Creek, find an interconnecting trail system in Pisgah National Forest that creates multiple loops to ride on easy to very challenging trails such as Trace Ridge and Fletcher Creek. Laurel Mountain, Pilot Rock, and Spencer Branch. Located near Mills River, a quick drive south of Asheville. Drive NC 280 past the Asheville airport, take a right on North Mills River Road (at Ingles grocery store), and follow signs to North Mills River Recreation Area. Turn right on Wash Creek Road for two miles. Turn left on a gravel road and go a half-mile to the Trace Ridge trailhead and parking. Get details on an 8.4-mile loop ride.
Biltmore Estate
If you are visiting Biltmore, take along your bike and try out their mountain biking trails - from easy to difficult. Read more.
Biking Resources
Brevard Cycling Capital
With its abundance of singletrack mountain biking trails, remote backcountry gravel roads and beautiful paved riding options–including the Blue Ridge Parkway–Brevard and Transylvania County… read more
With its abundance of singletrack mountain biking trails, remote backcountry gravel roads and beautiful paved riding options–including the Blue Ridge Parkway–Brevard and Transylvania County represent a mecca for riders of every stripe.
The Flying Bike - Electric Bike Tours & Rentals
See Asheville the best way possible - by electric bike! The Flying Bike provides unforgettable tours and rentals on their Pedego electric bikes. Join them on a tour and see Asheville’s noteworthy… read more
See Asheville the best way possible - by electric bike! The Flying Bike provides unforgettable tours and rentals on their Pedego electric bikes. Join them on a tour and see Asheville’s noteworthy architectural gems, take in the stunning mountain scenery from carefully chosen viewpoints, and hear the stories behind Asheville’s best historic sites.
Thermal Belt Rail Trail
Bike, jog and walk the 13.5 paved rail-to-trail path that connects the towns of Ruth, Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City - with plenty to see along the way.
Bike, jog and walk the 13.5 paved rail-to-trail path that connects the towns of Ruth, Rutherfordton, Spindale and Forest City - with plenty to see along the way.
Kolo Bike Park at The Adventure Center of Asheville
Kolo Bike Park is on 125 acres of land open all year with four miles of purpose-built trails, jump lines, two pump tracks, a skills park, a service shop, rentals, summer camps, and youth bike… read more
Kolo Bike Park is on 125 acres of land open all year with four miles of purpose-built trails, jump lines, two pump tracks, a skills park, a service shop, rentals, summer camps, and youth bike clinics. Combine your ride with a zipline canopy tour or a Treetops Adventure Park climb.
Beech Mountain Biking & Hiking
Hike, bike and golf in the highest town in eastern America, and enjoy cool temperatures all summer long. Their 20-mile trail system is open year-round.
Hike, bike and golf in the highest town in eastern America, and enjoy cool temperatures all summer long. Their 20-mile trail system is open year-round.
Point Lookout Trail
(7.2 miles round-trip, moderate) The best paved greenway near Asheville is a blast for biking or hiking. This paved path in Pisgah National Forest was formerly part of Old US Highway 70, winding… read more
(7.2 miles round-trip, moderate) The best paved greenway near Asheville is a blast for biking or hiking. This paved path in Pisgah National Forest was formerly part of Old US Highway 70, winding through the woods with views of the mountains, railroad and forest. While the trail is only 3.6 miles one way, it climbs 900 ft. in elevation from Old Fort to Ridgecrest.
Great Smoky & Tsali Mountain Biking, NC
Find mountain biking heaven in the Nantahala National Forest with 40 miles of trails overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains. Located near Bryson City, where you can find bike… read more
Find mountain biking heaven in the Nantahala National Forest with 40 miles of trails overlooking Fontana Lake in the Great Smoky Mountains. Located near Bryson City, where you can find bike rentals and supplies.
Nantahala Outdoor Center Mountain Biking
Rent a mountain bike at NOC’s Tsali Bikes on the Nantahala River! We’re just 10 minutes from Tsali, or ride across the river on our own Flint Ridge Trail. Service and repairs, bike sales.
Rent a mountain bike at NOC’s Tsali Bikes on the Nantahala River! We’re just 10 minutes from Tsali, or ride across the river on our own Flint Ridge Trail. Service and repairs, bike sales.
Biking Events
Assault on Mt. Mitchell
May: Bike a very challenging 102-mile supported route in May from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the top of Mt. Mitchell. You climb a cumulative of 11,000+ vertical feet (6,600 feet in the last 24 miles)! You can bike the entire route or take ride the Assault on Marion, a 78-mile ride that stops before the steep climb to the top. Go to their website.
Asheville Gran Fondo
July: Gran Fondo National Championship Series® (GFNCS) benefits Friends of the Smokies. The Asheville Gran Fondo is a European-style cycling challenge that takes bicycle racing to the next level through a hybrid of competitive road racing and casual century rides, designed for cyclists of every skill level. Courses cover 30, 60 and 100-mile journeys with four timed sections, fully stocked aid stations along the route, food and beverages at the finish, and prizes. Go to their website.
Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride
August: 12-70 mile routes. Go to their website.
