Western North Carolina Fall Highway Journey

When the ephemeral magic of fall — crisp, cool air; cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin flavors; and a surprising array of pink, orange, and yellow leaves — arrives within the South, there’s one vacation spot that stands out above all others: Western North Carolina. 

“In Western North Carolina, we’re very lucky to have an acceptable local weather that helps a big variety of bushes and a considerable elevation gradient offered by the mountains that, collectively, often give us an excellent fall shade present,” says Darby Harris, Ph.D., affiliate teacher of biology at Western Carolina College. With no scarcity of mountain climbing trails, overlooks, and quaint mountain cities — all inside driving distance of each other — plus greater than a handful of entry factors to the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s additionally the proper place to embark on a street journey. “I begin within the northern areas close to the cities of Boone and Blowing Rock in early October and work my approach south throughout the next weeks towards Asheville, Waynesville, and at last Sylva and Cherokee by the top of the month,” he says. 

Although there aren’t any hard-and-fast guidelines for planning a street journey — that’s the fantastic thing about such a journey — there are a couple of greatest practices to remember when heading to the mountains of North Carolina. Matt Naked, founding father of The Glamping Collective outdoors Asheville, tells Journey + Leisure that it’s vital to e-book early and contemplate weekends: “Peak fall dates fill so shortly, you will wish to e-book as early as potential to get the most effective choice of lodging.” Doing a little preliminary analysis on factors of curiosity and actions alongside the way in which may also be useful. “To me, the enjoyment of being within the mountains within the fall comes from veering off the crushed path. The favored mountain climbing spots will all the time be crowded, so don’t be afraid to discover the less-known trails and parks,” says Daniel Fletcher, co-owner of Outland Hospitality in Cashiers. 

After you have a basic concept of when and the place you’re going, you may embrace a extra versatile mindset. In keeping with Lynda Doucette, a retired nationwide park ranger and the knowledgeable in residence at The Swag, it’s vital to take your time: “Don’t be in a rush; as an alternative, plan for a leisurely expertise.” 

Whereas there are a variety of wonderful locations to see on an autumn street journey by means of Western North Carolina, we put collectively a number of the area’s highlights — together with issues to do, locations to remain, and the place to search out the most effective fall foliage. 

Associated: 10 Greatest Locations to See Fall Foliage in North Carolina

Asheville

Asheville is among the best locations to start your fall foliage journey. With an airport served by a number of main airways, a lineup of unbelievable boutique accommodations, and quick access to the Blue Ridge Parkway, town is each a vacation spot to find and a jumping-off level for the remainder of the journey. “To expertise fall in Asheville is to expertise fall at its best possible,” says Naked. “It is mountain climbing with probably the most vibrant colours unfold throughout mountaintops adopted by crisp air with the most effective beer round a campfire with new mates and retiring to [a] sizzling tub to soak the day away.”

Issues to Do

“That is the most effective time of yr to hit probably the most scenic mountain climbing trails the Southeast has to supply,” says Naked — and there are a number of trails in and round Asheville, starting from simple, family-friendly hikes to more difficult treks. The Biltmore Property Trails, Lookout Mountain Path, and the Exhausting Instances Loop Path are all comparatively near the downtown space, and Naked recommends ending your exercise with a brewery lunch; Burial Beer Co., Thirsty Monk, and Depraved Weed are all nice choices. 

The place to Keep

The Glamping Collective’s picturesque mountaintop retreat is situated in close by Clyde. Its domes and glass cabins present privateness, a cushty sleep, and a few fairly unbelievable views of the mountains and the altering leaves. For those who’d slightly keep in Asheville correct, you may’t go unsuitable with boutique properties like Blind Tiger Asheville, The Radical, or Zelda Dearest.

Waynesville

For those who’ve determined to go west in your street journey, Waynesville must be your subsequent cease. “Fall in Waynesville is among the most stunning occasions to be right here. Relying on the elevation, the times are often heat to take pleasure in outside actions whereas the evenings supply a crisp chill within the air because the solar units,” says Doucette. The elevation additionally performs a essential position in how and once you’ll see the most effective fall colours. “You’ll wish to time your leaf peeping in and round Waynesville based mostly on elevation. Later within the season, decrease elevations are far more scenic because the leaves will drop from the bushes on the highest elevations early within the season,” she explains. 

Issues to Do

Mountaineering is, unsurprisingly, one of many high fall actions in Waynesville, and Doucette says you may count on to see wildflowers and delightful creeks reflecting the autumn colours alongside the way in which. For those who’re hoping to begin with one thing on the better facet, she recommends a stroll round Lake Junaluska, the place “the encircling mountains supply a gorgeous panorama to take pleasure in as you stroll the trail across the lake.” For a extra reasonable hike, Naked suggests Waterrock Knob, which is a handy addition to a drive alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whilst you’re on the parkway, put Heintooga Ridge Highway and Balsam Mountain Highway into your GPS. Doucette says these slim roads “make a gorgeous fall drive by means of the woods.”

Outdoors of hikes and scenic drives, Waynesville has a number of festivals and cultural actions to have fun the season. To expertise what Doucette calls a celebration of “all issues apple,” plan to be on the town on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the Apple Harvest Pageant. In case your journey dates don’t align with the competition, you may all the time get your apple repair — assume apple donuts, fritters, and cider — at Barber Orchards Fruit Stand.

The place to Keep

The Swag, one of many greatest all-inclusive resorts within the South, is definitively the most effective place to remain in Waynesville, however fall dates are likely to e-book out a yr upfront. You may all the time name the property to see if there are any last-minute cancellations, however you could have extra luck at Andon-Reid Inn Mattress and Breakfast, Yellow Home, or Boyd Mountain Log Cabins.

Sylva

Sylva is a leaf peeper’s dream; Harris notes the small city is “surrounded by some important mountain ranges with peaks at 5,000 to six,000 toes,” giving method to a “fall shade present that may final 4 to 6 weeks yearly.” A bit of over 20 minutes from Waynesville, Sylva is full of pleasant sights and autumnal actions to enhance your street journey. 

Issues to Do

“The cities of Sylva and close by Dillsboro have a thriving restaurant and brewery scene and an eclectic mixture of retail outlets,” says Harris. The lineup in Sylva consists of Blue Ridge Bootleg Espresso, White Moon, Balsam Falls Brewing Co. Dalaya, and Metropolis Lights Bookstore. For those who’re hoping for extra adventurous actions, the city additionally delivers. “The realm round Sylva has wonderful roads and trails for street biking or mountain biking, particularly within the space of Western Carolina College, simply south of city,” he provides. 

For extra fall foliage sightings, go to the mountain climbing trails at Pinnacle Park or hop again on the parkway. “A major part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is barely a 15-minute drive from downtown Sylva,” says Harris, who recommends trying out the foliage at Richland Balsam and Satan’s Courthouse.

The place to Keep

You may both spend simply the day in Sylva — opting to proceed on to both Cashiers or Bryson Metropolis and Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park — or relaxation up on the lately renovated and redesigned Lodge Sylva. The dog-friendly boutique resort has 35 visitor rooms and is conveniently situated on Essential Avenue.

Cashiers

Relying on which route you are taking, it’s a couple of 40- to 50-minute drive from Sylva to Cashiers, a city that Fletcher describes as a “very relaxed, down-to-earth type of place” and one the place it’s “very easy to immerse your self within the fall season.” Right here, he says, “Nature is limitless… and simply accessible; there are nice eating places and heat fireplaces to cozy up by, and the folks will all the time make you’re feeling at house.”

Issues to Do

You’ll wish to give your self a minimal of two days to expertise the restful nature of Cashiers and benefit from its unparalleled entry to the good outside. “An informal stroll by means of the Village strolling path is nice with children and canine and gives you all the autumn vibes with out working too arduous,” says Fletcher. Vacationers who’re hoping to push themselves slightly extra will respect Yellow Mountain Fireplace Tower, the place Fletcher says you’ll uncover “one of the crucial breathtaking views within the area.” Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park is one other one in all his favorites and a hike that’s “comparatively simple to get to and packs a critical punch.”

If you’re not out mountain climbing or snapping pictures of the autumn foliage, be happy to put up up in Buck’s Espresso Cafe or subsequent to a hearth in a resort lounge, drink in hand. 

The place to Keep

Cashiers might have a inhabitants of beneath 1,000, nevertheless it bats properly above common within the hospitality division. Excessive Hampton Resort, probably the most luxurious keep on the town, was lately voted one in all T+L readers’ favourite resorts within the South for 2024. For a extra boutique expertise, there’s Lodge Cashiers — a retro-chic property with a restaurant, bar, and firepit — or The Wells Lodge, which payments itself as a “mountain boutique bed-and-brewery.”

Staying within the neighboring city of Highlands can be a risk. Named America’s Greatest Small Mountain City in 2023, Highlands is house to Outdated Edwards Inn & Spa, Half-Mile Farm, Highlander Mountain Home, and Outpost Inn, a 14-room resort that opened its doorways this spring. 

Black Mountain

Begin your morning early as you drive again up north to Black Mountain and the Asheville space. Time allowing, it’s possible you’ll wish to cease in Brevard and Hendersonville alongside the way in which, the latter of which known as “the apple capital of North Carolina.” 

Issues to Do

When you arrive in Black Mountain, a vacation spot that was often known as an artists’ haven within the mid-Twentieth century, the very first thing you’ll wish to do is discover the downtown space. Whereas the experimental artwork faculty, Black Mountain School, closed in 1957, the city’s dedication to artwork continues to be evident, as you may see for your self when popping out and in of the native boutiques and galleries. 

You might also be capable to sneak in a single or two remaining fall foliage hikes throughout your time in Black Mountain. June Bergeron, the innkeeper at Black Mountain Inn, says the autumn is totally “wonderful” on this a part of the state, and recommends Blue Ridge Meeting for leaf peeping: “It’s a historic YMCA campus set within the mountains… with trails all the way in which to the highest.”

The place to Keep

Mark the top of your Western North Carolina street journey with a memorable keep at Black Mountain Inn, The Monte Vista Lodge, or Peri Social Home. Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is a 30-minute drive from Black Mountain — or you may select so as to add a couple of days onto your journey, visiting the likes of Little Switzerland, Boone, and Banner Elk.