Things to Do around Waynesville
Waynesville is a region in North Carolina, situated between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains. Its landscape features lush forests, rugged slopes, and expansive mountain balds, providing a diverse environment for outdoor pursuits. The area offers opportunities for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging, with trails ranging from paved greenways to challenging mountain paths. This geographical setting makes Waynesville a notable destination for active exploration.
Things to Do in Waynesville
Waynesville provides access to more…
33
Routes
4.5
(2)
Average rating
388
People visited
1
hikers
4.10km
01:16
210m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.30km
00:53
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2.44km
00:51
60m
20m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
8.12km
03:00
400m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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8
riders
23.4km
01:31
710m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.5
(2)
5
riders
83.8km
05:14
2,040m
2,050m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
2
riders
35.4km
02:24
1,080m
1,080m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
9
riders
47.1km
02:34
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5
riders
30.2km
02:26
920m
920m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
35.3km
02:51
1,080m
1,080m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
79.3km
05:58
1,920m
1,910m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
11
riders
40.3km
02:28
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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47
runners
12.5km
01:19
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
44
runners
6.95km
00:43
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
39
runners
6.00km
00:37
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
runners
3.59km
00:23
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Most popular attractions in Waynesville
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Waynesville?
Waynesville offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The region provides access to more than 10 routes across these sports. Over 600 visitors have rated the area's outdoor offerings with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
What are some popular hiking trails in Waynesville?
Popular hiking trails near Waynesville include the Waterrock Knob Trail, a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) round-trip hike with panoramic views, and the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail, a 3.5-mile (5.6 km) loop featuring waterfalls. The Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop offers a 5-mile (8 km) trek across open balds. For more options, consult the Hiking around Waynesville guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in Waynesville?
Yes, the Waynesville Greenway provides an easy, paved path suitable for hiking and jogging, extending 4.8 miles (7.7 km) along Richland Creek. This greenway connects to Lake Junaluska. For additional accessible options, refer to the Easy hikes around Waynesville guide.
Where can I find scenic viewpoints near Waynesville?
Scenic viewpoints are abundant, particularly along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Waterrock Knob offers nearly 360-degree panoramic views. Richland Balsam, the highest point on the Parkway at 6,053 feet (1,845 meters), also provides stunning mountain vistas. Black Balsam Knob features expansive, unobstructed views from its open mountaintop.
What cycling routes are available in Waynesville?
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers exceptional opportunities for both road and touring cycling. A challenging 21.9-mile (35.2 km) touring cycling route, the Balsam Gap Overlook to Richland Balsam Overlook, climbs significantly to the Parkway's highest point. The Waynesville Greenway is also suitable for leisurely bike rides. More details are in the Road Cycling Routes around Waynesville and Cycling around Waynesville guides.
Is Waynesville suitable for jogging?
Yes, Waynesville is suitable for jogging. The Waynesville Greenway is explicitly designed for jogging, offering a pleasant 4.8-mile (7.7 km) route along Richland Creek. Many less strenuous hiking trails also provide opportunities for jogging. The Running Trails around Waynesville guide provides further information.
What natural features are near Waynesville?
Waynesville is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Great Smoky Mountains. Notable features include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Richland Balsam, Waterrock Knob, and the Cataloochee Valley within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Pisgah National Forest, with its lush forests and waterfalls like Looking Glass Waterfall, is also nearby. Lake Junaluska offers a peaceful water feature.
Are there family-friendly outdoor activities in Waynesville?
The Waynesville Greenway is an excellent family-friendly option, offering an easy, paved path for walking, jogging, and leisurely bike rides. Less strenuous hiking trails also provide accessible outdoor experiences for families. The diverse range of activities ensures options for various fitness levels.
How popular is Waynesville for outdoor activities on komoot?
Waynesville is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 600 visitors having shared their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are more than 10 routes available across hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging.
What komoot guides are available for Waynesville?
Komoot offers several guides for Waynesville, including Hiking around Waynesville, Easy hikes around Waynesville, and Road Cycling Routes around Waynesville. Guides for Cycling around Waynesville and Running Trails around Waynesville are also available.
How can I contact the Town of Waynesville?
The official website for the Town of Waynesville, NC, is www.waynesvillenc.gov. The main phone number for the Town of Waynesville is +1.828.452.2491.
What is the Waynesville Greenway?
The Waynesville Greenway is an easy, paved path that extends 4.8 miles (7.7 km) along Richland Creek. It is suitable for hiking, jogging, and leisurely bike rides. The greenway also connects to Lake Junaluska, offering a pleasant route for various outdoor activities.
Are there challenging hikes in Waynesville?
Waynesville offers challenging hikes for experienced trekkers. Trails like the Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop provide a 5-mile (8 km) trek across vast balds with significant elevation changes. The extensive trail networks within Pisgah National Forest also feature more strenuous options. The Hiking around Waynesville guide can provide further details.
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