Mount Pisgah Area Itinerary For Nature Lovers & Hikers

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If you are traveling around the Mount Pisgah area on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) just under 1 hour away from Asheville, NC, there are plenty of gorgeous overlooks, trails, picnic areas, and rest stops. If we had to select just a few hikes for an easy Asheville day trip, we’d trek Mount Pisgah, Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, and Skinny Dip Falls (even post-flooding). For lunch, we’d stop at the Pisgah Inn or The NC Arboretum. Keep reading for the details. Libations included!

Mount Pisgah in North CarolinaPin

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As locals, these are our favorite Blue Ridge Parkway hikes and stops in the Mount Pisgah Area just under one hour away from Asheville. If you drive further out, you’ll also catch beloved fall foliage hikes like Black Balsam and Sam Knob via the Art Loeb Trail and Graveyard Fields. Pink Beds Loop is right there too. And, if you find yourself on the Blue Ridge Parkway in September and October, be sure to scan our fall foliage color forecast to catch those breathtaking colors. In the winter, check with the National Park Service for BRP road statuses and gate closures.

Mount Pisgah Itinerary From Asheville

  • Start with Looking Glass Rock Overlook & Skinny Dip Falls; see the Dragon Tree
  • Walk the gravel road to Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
  • If open (seasonal), grab lunch at the Pisgah Inn; don’t forget your souvenirs
  • Hike Mount Pisgah (Stairmaster!) OR
  • Visit The NC Arboretum ($)

Beautiful Overlooks & Hikes Near Mount Pisgah

All lengths, times, and photos are our own. We track our hikes on GAIA GPS. Keep in mind that we are short and semi-slow hikers. If you prefer guided hikes, consider this popular waterfall and Blue Ridge Parkway/Pisgah National Forest tour.

Looking Rock Glass Overlook

🌄 Located at Milepost 417, this overlook is a great first stop to see Looking Glass Rock from afar (you can hike Looking Glass from the Pisgah National Forest). This scenic overlook is also where hikers park for Skinny Dip Falls. Like many Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, the parking lot is small; get there early and on a week day.

Skinny Dip Falls

💦 Also located at Milepost 417, Skinny Dip Falls is an easy one-mile out and back to low-key falls that were damaged by tropical storm flooding in 2021. For locals, it’s a bit heartbreaking to see the changes, including trickling falls, small wading-only areas, and no large bridge. Today, hikers will still find the famous dragon tree guarding the forest and can enjoy a rocky trail perfect for getting back into hiking season or helping littles gain their hiking feet. Budget about 30 to 45 minutes here.

🥾 Discover more family-friendly, easy Asheville hikes. If you are craving bigger falls, we have just the waterfall hiking guide for you.

Mount Pisgah Trail

🥾 The Mount Pisgah Trailhead sits at MP 407.6. You can also join up with the Mount Pisgah hike from numerous connecting trails around the area. We typically clock this trail at about 2.4 miles+, and it is a moderate out-and-back hike to a gorgeous 5,721-foot summit. While the initial easy and flat half mile or so deceives hikers, that 700-foot elevation gain hits hard in the form of endless forest stairs. There are one or two spots along this trail that make my stomach drop with rock stairs along nerve-wracking edges. I love the 360-degree views at the top, though. Just watch out for mean flies and bees and budget just under 2 hours.

Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower Trail

🥾 At MP 409.6, find the small parking lot for Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower Trail. Don’t block the gate, which is also the start of the trail. This easy 1.5-mile out and back follows a rather boring gravel road to a sketchy fire tower promising beautiful views and one unforgettable experience. Climbing the tower is heart-stopping in the wind. The very top deck is locked and off-limits to hikers (people will break in, but please don’t follow their lead). This experience takes under 1 hour. If you dislike heights, skip the tower.

Great Visitor Places For Restrooms, Food, and Souvenirs

There are plenty of food options in the immediate Mount Pisgah area. Of course, you can head straight back to Asheville for lunch. However, we recommend the Pisgah Inn (when open), The NC Arboretum’s Bent Creek Bistro, or nearby Greek diner, Apollo Flame, on Brevard Road.

The Pisgah Inn

🍴The Pisgah Inn, at MP 408.6, will be almost impossible to get near in peak leaf season. It’s not hard to see why. Open April through October, this 3-star hotel boasts accommodations, a delicious restaurant, Blue Ridge Mountain viewing platforms, restrooms, grab-and-go shops, and a souvenir shop. We bought quality and fairly priced sweatshirts and shirts here along with holiday ornaments.

Dining At The Pisgah Inn

Make reservations at the Pisgah Inn restaurant, especially during peak times. We have gotten in at opening without reservations in shoulder season. The dining room has large mountain view windows. Enjoy a delicious and extensive American food menu, including GF options and GF bread (part-Celiac household here). I love their wine selection – like a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – and we prefer their lighter sandwiches and burgers if it is lunchtime.

The NC Arboretum

🌺 As Asheville locals, we are members of The NC Arboretum. Immediately before one entrance and exit to the BRP at Milepost 393.6, stop by for the Quilt Garden, nature trails, and special exhibits. If you haven’t eaten, grab a simple salad or sandwich at Bent Creek Bistro. The arboretum is also a great stop on the way back to Asheville for restrooms, drinks, and pretty flowers. You will need an annual membership or have to pay for parking for grounds access. The membership is worth it for the low-key biking and hiking trails.

Blue Ridge Parkway Resources

For official information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we recommend these sites:

Let us know in the comments your favorite Mount Pisgah itinerary.

Christine Frascarelli

Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.

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