Hendersonville, in western North Carolina, sits between the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Mountains. This small city of around 13,000 people is vibrant, with a variety of arts, crafts and food festivals throughout the year. Its location lends itself to outdoor activity, and many residents of Hendersonville and surrounding areas routinely take part in hiking clubs to explore the mountain ranges and other hiking trails that are abundant in this part of the state.
Geography and Climate
Hiking is a popular activity outside of Hendersonville due to the mountains and hills in the area, but the town itself is flat. Summertime temperatures easily reach into the mid-80s, while spring and fall tend to be mild and winters quite cold. Hiking in wintry weather can be a challenge for less experienced hikers, so if you go in the winter, make sure you are properly layered and have boots with a good grip.
Area Trails
Surrounding Hendersonville are the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gorges State Park, Whiteside Mountain and dozens more valleys, parkways and hills. Trails stretch for 80 miles through DuPont State Forest, a half-hour drive from town, and are open to the public for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. The Pisgah National Forest, a 20-minute drive, is half a million acres of hiking trails, waterfalls, grassy areas, camping and fishing sites.
Hendersonville
High Country Hikers, the only group based out of Hendersonville, is dedicated to socializing and exploring the area's trails. The group hikes twice a week, usually on Mondays and Thursdays, from 4-mile strolls to 13-mile challenges. Each hike is rated easy, moderate or strenuous, and the mileage is posted online so members can decide whether to join. The club has mystery hikes a couple times a month where members show up and discover the destination during the hike.
Brevard
The Pisgah Hikers club is headquartered in Brevard, a 20-minute drive from Hendersonville. The club's hikes are sorted into five difficulty levels, with the most strenuous being the Friday Hoofers, who cover at least 10 miles. Another option is the Brevard Easy Hikers and, as their name implies, their hikes are not too strenuous. Trips usually last under 3 hours and cover no more than 3 miles.
Asheville
Asheville is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and its thousands of hiking trails. This outdoor mecca is only a 20-minute drive from Hendersonville, where numerous clubs exist for residents and visitors alike to experience the lovely scenery, get some exercise, and meet new people. Asheville is also home to the Carolina Mountain Club, which was established in 1930 and is the oldest hiking club in western North Carolina.
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