Weekend Road Trip in the Pisgah ForestIf you just have the weekend to get out in North Carolina, this is the perfect scenic drive for you! Start in Asheville, head up to the Pisgah National Forest and then complete the loop, ending back in Asheville.AuthorsSteller
DestinationsNorth CarolinaItinerary

Friday

Applewood Manor Inn Bed & Breakfast
A homey stay in the historic district of Asheville. The rooms and property are all beautifully decorated!
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Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown by IHG
A modern hotel in downtown Asheville that is near top restaurants and the activities of downtown. It also boasts amazing mountain views.
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Biltmore
No trip to Asheville is complete without touring America's Largest Home, built by George Vanderbilt, and the 8,000 acre estate.
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The Inn on Biltmore Estate
You can even stay at the Biltmore! You'll definitely want to after exploring the estate.
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Cúrate
Head to this upscale, Spanish spot for dinner before your long day of adventures tomorrow!
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Saturday

Key Falls Estate
Stay amongst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains at this estate within Pisgah National Forest. It is a great hub for exploring the natural features of the area!
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The North Carolina Arboretum
Located at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is worth a stop! It doesn't open till 8 a.m., though, so if you're trying to get to the overlook for sunrise, skip it or stop here on the way back to Asheville.
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Blue Ridge Parkway
You can enter this parkway near the arboretum at Brevard Road. The 469-mile-long scenic road connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.
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Mills River Valley Overlook
Only about 10 miles from the arboretum, stop here for incredible views over the mountains. Pro tip: head here at sunrise and sunset to see the orange hues paint the sky!
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Pisgah Inn
Located at 5,000 feet up in the Pisgah National Forest, this is a great option for breakfast, lunch or dinner with stunning views, too. Only open April-October.
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Art Loeb & Black Balsam Knob Trailhead
It's another 12 or so miles from the inn to this trailhead. You can do the quicker 1.4-mile loop or take the Art Loeb trail for panoramic views. You can go as far as you want (this trail stretches nearly 30 miles), just give yourself time to get back to the car!
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Looking Glass Rock
Alternatively, this popular trail is ~17 miles from the Pisgah Inn. It's a 6.1-mile out-and-back trail with amazing views. It's considered a somewhat challenging hike, so come prepared to spend the day in mud and on slippery rocks. March through November are the best months to visit.
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Looking Glass Falls
If you'd rather not hike and just want to see one of the most popular falls in North Carolina, head here. It's just about 4 miles on the Pisgah Highway past the Looking Glass Rock trailhead.
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If you'd rather let someone else plan the days adventures, this is a great option! You will see beautiful sunrise views with a hot cup of coffee already ready for you.
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Old Europe Pastries
Back in Asheville, reward yourself with a delicious pastry. This place is open late at night just for that!
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Sunday

High Five Coffee
A local favorite coffee spot that is perfect for a lazy Sunday morning pick-me-up!
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Asheville Botanical Garden
Enjoy an easy day in Asheville strolling around this garden in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
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Or if you still have some energy left, sign up for this fun brewery crawl by E-bike! Asheville is known for its local brews!
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Limones Restaurant
End your weekend in Asheville at this restuarant that combines Mexican and Mediterranean flavors. Salud, with a margarita in hand and talk about your favorite parts of the trip!
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