You'll find some of your favorite trails in Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and the Blue Ridge Foothills, all close to Asheville, NC. There’s a trail for everyone: bikers, hikers, paddlers, walkers, and riders. Visit Rutherford County’s website to get trail details.
Walk and Hike
Here are a few of the best walking and hiking trails in Rutherford County:
Chimney Rock State Park - 4+ miles of multiple trails that range in difficulty.
Thermal Belt Rail Trail - 13.5 mile, 12' wide paved trail connects five small towns at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains: Ruth, Spindale, Rutherfordton, and Forest City.
Bike
Pedal along smooth, paved trails or hit dirt trails with amazing views.
Buffalo Creek Park - 3.5 mile loop trail that’s designed with mountain bikers in mind, featuring banked turns, rollers, and berms. It can be a challenging ride because of elevation change. Located off Buffalo Creek Road just north of Rumbling Bald Resort in Lake Lure.
Weed Patch Mountain Trail- 8.6 mile trail extending from the highest point on the Buffalo Creek Park blue loop up the Eagle Rock where you get an incredible view of the surrounding mountains. The trail is a backcountry experience with no other connecting trails on its entire length. This is a trail best used by experienced bikers (and hikers) Located at 2191 Buffalo Creek Road, Lake Lure for Buffalo Creek Park side.
Paddle
Explore the blueways and scenic waterways of Rutherford County. Here are just a few ideas:
Broad River Paddle Trail - 49 miles of multiple trails that consist of 12 sections starting below Lake Lure.
Morse Park Trails - This park is conveniently located next to Lake Lure’s Welcome Center, Washburn Marina and Lake Lure Tours. Lake Lure Tours does boat rentals including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Climb
Rutherford County is one of the areas in Western NC that offers bouldering!
Chimney Rock Boulders Trail - A short but challenging hike up to an incredible view of Chimney Rock Mountain and Hickory Nut Gorge. More than 50 boulder problems for climbers as well. The trail is in Chimney Rock Village, with the trailhead at the top of the village paid parking lot,
Rumbling Bald Trail - This 1.5-mile loop trail in Chimney Rock State Park takes you to the boulder fields and base of the cliffs of Rumbling Bald Mountain that towers over Lake Lure.
Ride
Equestrian enthusiasts will find peaceful trails in Rutherford County.
Riverside Riding Stables - Offers something for everyone whether you're an experienced or inexperienced rider. They have one-hour guided trail rides and two-hour river rides—where you can swim with your horse!