The best walks and hikes around Hoopers Creek

The Fletcher Park Trail offers a delightful, easy escape into nature, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. You'll wander through a varied landscape, from peaceful, shady tree canopies to open areas with views of Cane Creek and Hoopers Creek. The trail also features a charming arboretum garden and a serene pond, providing a pleasant mix of natural and cultivated scenery over its 2.4 miles (3.8 km) length. With only 18 feet (5 metres) of elevation gain, it's a genuinely accessible route for everyone.

Planning your visit to Fletcher Park is straightforward, with ample parking available at Fletcher Community Park. The park is well-equipped with amenities like restrooms and picnic areas, making it a great spot for families. However, be aware that due to past hurricane damage, the Cane Creek bridge is currently impassable, and some outer greenway trails are closed; always check for current conditions and respect any posted closures.

This easy, 58-minute hike is consistently rated as suitable for all skill levels, including families with children and those with leashed pets. It's a fantastic option if you're looking for a gentle introduction to hiking or simply a tranquil walk without the challenge of significant climbs, offering a refreshing outdoor experience in a convenient park setting.

The Bearwallow Mountain Trail offers a delightful journey through shaded woodlands before opening up to a vast, grassy summit. You'll navigate well-built rock steps and switchbacks on your way up, with the option to descend via a gravel service road for a slightly different experience. The real magic happens at the top, where nearly 360-degree views stretch across the Hickory Nut Gorge, revealing distant peaks like Mount Mitchell and Mount Pisgah, often shared with grazing cattle.

This easy 1.2-mile (1.9 km) hike involves a steady 573 feet (175 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 39 minutes to reach the top. It's a popular choice for families and dog owners, though dogs must be leashed due to the free-roaming cows. The trail is located about 19 miles from Asheville, making it a convenient and rewarding outing for a quick dose of mountain air and stunning scenery.

Bearwallow Mountain is part of a working farm, giving it a unique character with its friendly, free-range cows. The mountain is also protected by Conserving Carolina, ensuring its natural beauty and public access for years to come. It connects to the larger Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail System, including trails like the Trombatore Trail, offering options for longer hiking adventures if you're looking to explore further.

The Bearwallow Mountain Loop Trail offers a delightful journey through varied terrain to a spectacular summit. You can choose between a woodland path with switchbacks and rock steps or a more gradual gravel road, both leading to an open, grassy meadow at the top. Here, you'll be treated to nearly 360-degree panoramic views, often shared with grazing cows, stretching from Mount Mitchell to the Great Smoky Mountains.

This easy 2.1-mile (3.4 km) hike involves 559 feet (170 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Be sure to check for current road closures, as storm damage has affected access, particularly from Gerton. It's currently recommended to approach the trailhead from the Edneyville side of Bearwallow Mountain.

Bearwallow Mountain is a unique destination, sitting on privately-owned land that functions as a working farm while generously allowing public access. It also serves as the initial segment of the developing Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail, connecting to other routes like the Trombatore Trail for those seeking longer adventures.

Hike the moderate Strawberry Gap Trail for 4.9 miles (7.8 km) through boulder-strewn forests to panoramic views at Blue Ridge Pastures.