Living in Western North Carolina and surrounded by some of the best hikes in the nation, while wonderful, can be a little intimidating. 

I mean, how can you live here and not take your kids out for a hike?!

Then again, what exactly are you setting yourself up for if you do?

Will they hate it? Is it something you can realistically expect their little legs to handle? Will you end up carrying them half the way? Will you be able to make it the entire way?

For every child that is happy being outside and running along the trail, you have another one asking “are we there yet?” before you’ve even started. 

The stress is real!

While everyone has different levels of experience and fitness, these are the hikes I consider the go-to’s with kids.

Looking Glass Falls

Less of a true hike and more of a quick drive and view, we stop here every time we venture into Pisgah Forest (also recommend Dolly’s Ice Cream [128 Pisgah Hwy.

Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 ] right outside). It’s a great way to get some amazing pictures (always a top priority!) and build some excitement for what’s to come. If you can climb stairs you can do this “hike”. 

Dupont Forest

Three miles of easy to moderate hiking with 3 different waterfalls along the way (Hooker, Triple, and High Falls). The trail starts with a relatively level and smooth hike only .3 miles to Hooker Falls where kids can actually play in the water and amongst the rocks. From here, you have the option to continue up the trail and enjoy the other 2 waterfalls further up the mountain. However, because it’s such a  beautiful and kid friendly hike, be prepared for crowds!

Catawba Falls

If you want to go east towards Old Fort, I would recommend the Catawba Falls hike. It’s an easy 3 mile hike that has deserted buildings from the 1920’s, a wooden bridge and opportunities to dip your toes in the water before you reach the 100 foot waterfall. 

Black Balsam Knob

Located in Canton off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this hike offers beautiful long range views just 1.5 miles from the road. Because of the views and easy access, the hike is hugely popular for families looking to get that perfect family shot with a gorgeous mountain backdrop. 

Biltmore Estate

While you’ve probably visited before, did you know you can actually use any of the hiking trails on the property with your daily or annual pass? And when you go in Spring or Summer, the flowers offer up a backdrop unlike anywhere else. The Azalea Garden trail is not only one of my favorite hikes on the property, but it is also one of my favorite destinations to take family photographs since it gives you an amazing assortment of backgrounds with minimal concern of no longer being “picture ready” upon your arrival. Visit here to find out more!

Kids on Trails

Lastly, another awesome hiking resource/list of kid friendly trails is the newly developed “Kids on Trails” program that has a list of about 15 hikes in and around Asheville. Part of what makes these hikes so special, is that the program has inserted markers along the path that gives even the littlest hikers things to look for and/or activities to complete that helps entertain them along the way. 

Here is a sample of what to expect from the one at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASHEVILLE VISITORS CENTER

… and here’s a quick cheat sheet with the rest of the hikes they’ve created so far:

HAW CREEK ELEMENTARY

 THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM 

CHARLES D OWEN PARK

BLACK MOUNTAIN VETERANS PARK

 MONTREAT

FLETCHER COMMUNITY PARK:

 MILLS RIVER PARK

 PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST

THE PARK AT FLAT ROCK

CARL SANDBURG HOME NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK

MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK 

TOWN OF MARSHALL – BLANNAHASSETT ISLAND

THE ORCHARD AT ALTAPASS

Hopefully, this list of hikes has given you a good starting point of where to go with your kiddos. My last piece of advice would be to make sure you take pictures along the way! The memories and backdrops can be truly magical.