Western North Carolina Fall Highway Journey

When the ephemeral magic of fall — crisp, cool air; cinnamon, apple, and pumpkin flavors; and a shocking array of crimson, 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 timber and a considerable elevation gradient supplied by the mountains that, collectively, normally give us an excellent fall coloration 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 right 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 method south throughout the next weeks towards Asheville, Waynesville, and eventually Sylva and Cherokee by the tip of the month,” he says. 

Although there aren’t any hard-and-fast guidelines for planning a street journey — that’s the great thing about this sort of journey — there are just a few greatest practices to remember when heading to the mountains of North Carolina. Matt Naked, founding father of The Glamping Collective exterior Asheville, tells Journey + Leisure that it’s essential to guide early and think about weekends: “Peak fall dates fill so shortly, you will wish to guide as early as doable to get the perfect number of lodging.” Performing some preliminary analysis on factors of curiosity and actions alongside the way in which may even be useful. “To me, the enjoyment of being within the mountains within the fall comes from veering off the overwhelmed path. The favored mountain climbing spots will at all times 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. 

Upon getting a common thought of when and the place you’re going, you possibly can embrace a extra versatile mindset. Based on Lynda Doucette, a retired nationwide park ranger and the professional in residence at The Swag, it’s essential 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 via Western North Carolina, we put collectively a few of the area’s highlights — together with issues to do, locations to remain, and the place to search out the perfect fall foliage. 

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

Asheville

Asheville is likely one of the best locations to start your fall foliage journey. With an airport served by a number of main airways, a lineup of unimaginable boutique motels, and easy accessibility to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 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 perfect beer round a campfire with new associates and retiring to [a] sizzling tub to soak the day away.”

Issues to Do

“That is the perfect time of yr to hit probably the most scenic mountain climbing trails the Southeast has to supply,” says Naked — and there are a selection of trails in and round Asheville, starting from simple, family-friendly hikes to tougher treks. The Biltmore Property Trails, Lookout Mountain Path, and the Arduous 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 snug sleep, and a few fairly unimaginable views of the mountains and the altering leaves. Should you’d fairly keep in Asheville correct, you possibly can’t go improper with boutique properties like Blind Tiger Asheville, The Radical, or Zelda Dearest.

Waynesville

Should you’ve determined to go west in your street journey, Waynesville needs to be your subsequent cease. “Fall in Waynesville is likely one of the most stunning instances to be right here. Relying on the elevation, the times are normally heat to get pleasure from out of doors actions whereas the evenings supply a crisp chill within the air because the solar units,” says Doucette. The elevation additionally performs a vital function in how and while you’ll see the perfect fall colours. “You’ll wish to time your leaf peeping in and round Waynesville primarily based on elevation. Later within the season, decrease elevations are rather more scenic because the leaves will drop from the timber on the highest elevations early within the season,” she explains. 

Issues to Do

Mountain climbing is, unsurprisingly, one of many prime fall actions in Waynesville, and Doucette says you possibly can count on to see wildflowers and exquisite creeks reflecting the autumn colours alongside the way in which. Should you’re hoping to start out with one thing on the better facet, she recommends a stroll round Lake Junaluska, the place “the encircling mountains supply a lovely panorama to get pleasure from as you stroll the trail across the lake.” For a extra average hike, Naked suggests Waterrock Knob, which is a handy addition to a drive alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway. When you’re on the parkway, put Heintooga Ridge Highway and Balsam Mountain Highway into your GPS. Doucette says these slim roads “make a lovely fall drive via the woods.”

Exterior 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 Competition. In case your journey dates don’t align with the pageant, you possibly can at all times get your apple repair — suppose 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 perfect place to remain in Waynesville, however fall dates are likely to guide out a yr prematurely. You’ll be able to at all times name the property to see if there are any last-minute cancellations, however you’ll 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 vital mountain ranges with peaks at 5,000 to six,000 ft,” giving approach to a “fall coloration present that may final 4 to 6 weeks yearly.” A bit over 20 minutes from Waynesville, Sylva is full of pleasant sights and autumnal actions to enrich 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. Should you’re hoping for extra adventurous actions, the city additionally delivers. “The world round Sylva has glorious 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 just 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’ll be able to 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 Important Road.

Cashiers

Relying on which route you’re 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 form of place” and one the place it’s “very easy to immerse your self within the fall season.” Right here, he says, “Nature is infinite… and simply accessible; there are nice eating places and heat fireplaces to cozy up by, and the individuals will at all times make you’re feeling at residence.”

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 nice open air. “An off-the-cuff stroll via the Village strolling path is nice with youngsters and canine and provides you with all the autumn vibes with out working too exhausting,” says Fletcher. Vacationers who’re hoping to push themselves a little bit extra will admire Yellow Mountain Hearth Tower, the place Fletcher says you’ll uncover “some of the 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.”

While you’re not out mountain climbing or snapping photographs of the autumn foliage, be at liberty 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, but it surely bats effectively 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 also be a chance. Named America’s Greatest Small Mountain City in 2023, Highlands is residence 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, chances are 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 called 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 possibly can 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 last fall foliage hikes throughout your time in Black Mountain. June Bergeron, the innkeeper at Black Mountain Inn, says the autumn is completely “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 tip 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 possibly can select so as to add just a few days onto your journey, visiting the likes of Little Switzerland, Boone, and Banner Elk.