We’re so fortunate to live in North Carolina.  We’ve got beautiful mountains, endless beach options, and several unique cities.  And guess what?  Spring break is just around the corner. Here are just a few ideas of mountain adventures not too far from home.

Hike the Appalachian Trail

96 miles of the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail can be found in North Carolina.  An additional 225 miles hug the North Carolina/Tennessee border. If you’d like to be super adventurous and spend the week hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail that is in North Carolina you’ll need to find your way to Bly Gap.  Bly Gap is where the trail leaves Georgia and begins to wind its way through North Carolina. It will end that stretch in North Carolina at Fontana Dam where the trail then enters Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is also a great option for a 29 mile hike in the Nantahala Mountains. You can find a description of this option at wilderness.org.

Visit Asheville

Asheville is a funky town that has something for everyone.  The town is known for excellent food and craft beer.  Visit Asheville Ale Trail to find self-guided brewery tour maps and for a calendar of events.  River Arts district has 22 working galleries along the French Broad River.  While walking between galleries you can frequently see kayakers and tubers floating down the river.  Looks across to the other bank and you’ll see some very happy people hanging out on New Belgium Brewery deck. There are endless hiking options in the Asheville area. Visit Romantic Asheville to see the area hikes with a view.

If you’re interested in history visit the beautiful Biltmore Estate. Built in the late 1800s, the Biltmore is still the largest privately owned home in the United States.  When visiting the Biltmore you can wander the beautiful gardens, have a glass of wine at the winery, or book a romantic room and live like royalty for a night. Another beautiful site to visit is the Omni Grove Park Inn.  Built in 1913, the Grove Park Inn has views for miles, a golf course, and a world renowned spa with an underground grotto.

Visit Boone

Boone is a great place to spend your spring break. It’s the heart of the North Carolina high country and is surrounded be endless outdoor activities. You can spend your vacation fly fishing in the beautiful New River, biking or driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s most scenic routes, to see the breathtaking mountain views.  You can make a stop at one of the trailheads and go on a hike.  If you’re feeling really wild visit High Gravity Adventures or Hawksnest Zipline. Depending on when your break falls you may be able to ski at Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, and Appalachian Ski Mountain.  Don’t forget to stop at an area winery or brewery after all of your outings.  The High Country is home to Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, Banner Elk Winery, Lost Province Brewing Co., and Appalachian Mountain Brewery.

Mountain Lakes

Lake James is located about an hour east of Asheville.  Along with gorgeous private homes and rentals, there is Lake James State Park. The park has boat ramps, a waterfront campground, a beach, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails.  The lake, along with the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, is a breathtaking spot to have a relaxing getaway.

Lake Lure is 45 minutes southeast of Asheville. Lake Lure has everything you could in a getaway to the mountains. You can hike at Chimney Rock State Park and horseback ride at Cedar Creek Stables or Riverside Riding Stables.  If you’re a wine lover you can visit Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards,  The Parker-Binns Vineyard, and Overmountain Vineyards.

There is so much more that the mountains of North Carolina have to offer.  Check out Brevard and Pisgah National Forest, Black Mountain, Hot Springs, Bryson City….the list goes on.  Where is your favorite mountain escape in North Carolina?