Blueridge parkway This is one of my favorite areas. Between Asheville and Waynesville NC, there are a few areas which are a must see / must do.

1. Black Balsam – great hiking area on probably one of the only bald mountain ranges on the east coast. From where you park it is 5 to 10 minutes to where the incredible views start, then you can hang out up there and read a book (as some people do) or hike as long as 14 miles in one direction (28 miles round trip). Check and see if they allow mountain bikes. If they do, it would be a relatively easy place to ride.

2. Graveyard fields – this is a popular spot with a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. But if you venture off (once you get to the river / creek) on a path to the left, it takes you on a beautiful hike to some grander waterfalls and also far fewer visitors.

3. Mt Pisgah Inn (restaurant). We try to go at least a few times per year. My favorite things there: 1. The French onion soup, one of the best I have had. 2. Their fresh mountain trout, fish comes from just a few miles away and they filet it at the table. We usually go for a late lunch. They stop serving at 3pm and start again at 5pm. 4. North of Asheville, MOUNT MITCHELL – we love this area. You can drive up to the top and go to the lookout but more exciting is a walk around (about a 2 mile hike) just below the lookout that takes you through some of the most interesting vegetation I have seen. It is so beautiful there, we tend to take our time and relax. Cool weather, mossy forest and a few natural springs. You park in the same place as you would to see the lookout. You can also park further down (about 2 miles down the road) and take a hiking path up which I would recommend