Walnut Cove Realty

Troy's Asheville Area Favorites

Living here is the best part of selling here. These are my go-to recommendations for clients, visitors and new neighbors, from Asheville out to Hendersonville, Brevard, Black Mountain and Arden. Drive times are from Walnut Cove in Arden.

Any Time of Year

Year-Round Favorites

Waterfalls, big views, hikes, Biltmore, art and beer. These are good in every season.

  • Looking Glass Falls

    Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard

    A classic 60-foot curtain of water you can see right from the roadside on US 276. There is a viewing deck up top and stairs down to the creek.

    Tip: No fee. Parking is tight on fall weekends, so go early.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 50 minU.S. Forest Service (opens in a new tab)

  • DuPont State Forest Waterfalls

    Between Brevard and Hendersonville

    Hooker, Triple and High Falls are all on one short foot-traffic-only trail from the Hooker Falls lot. Bridal Veil and Wintergreen are longer outings.

    Tip: The Triple Falls stairs are still closed after Helene. Check the forest's closures page first.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 45 minN.C. Forest Service (opens in a new tab)

  • Crabtree Falls

    Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 339.5

    A tall, lacy waterfall reached by a loop trail off the Parkway north of Asheville. A good pairing with Mount Mitchell.

    Tip: Check Parkway road status before you drive.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hr 30 minNational Park Service (opens in a new tab)

  • Skinny Dip Falls

    Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 417

    A short, steep walk from across the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. Floods changed the creek, so think pretty cascades, not the old swimming hole.

    Tip: Swimming is not allowed in Parkway waters.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 55 minBlue Ridge Parkway Foundation (opens in a new tab)

  • Craggy Gardens

    Blue Ridge Parkway, north of Asheville

    Grassy balds, wind-twisted trees and long views. The short climb to Craggy Pinnacle is one of the best payoffs near town.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 50 minNational Park Service (opens in a new tab)

  • Mount Pisgah Area

    Blue Ridge Parkway, south of Asheville

    Overlooks, picnic spots and the hike up Mount Pisgah, an easy run up the Parkway from the Arden side of town.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 40 minNational Park Service (opens in a new tab)

  • Mount Mitchell State Park

    Yancey County

    The highest peak east of the Mississippi. You can drive nearly to the top and walk the last stretch to the observation deck.

    Tip: It is often 10 to 20 degrees cooler up top. Bring a jacket.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hr 20 minNC State Parks (opens in a new tab)

  • Chimney Rock State Park

    Chimney Rock / Lake Lure

    The famous rock spire above Hickory Nut Gorge, with views down to Lake Lure.

    Tip: Check the park page for current access after storm recovery.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 50 minNC State Parks (opens in a new tab)

  • Gorges State Park

    Sapphire, near Brevard

    Steep, wild country on the edge of the Blue Ridge, with big waterfalls for hikers who like a workout.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hr 15 minNC State Parks (opens in a new tab)

  • Biltmore Estate

    Asheville

    The Vanderbilt house, gardens, winery and Antler Hill Village. Plan a full day.

    Tip: House day visits start at $110 per adult (Biltmore's price as of Oct 2026). Kids 9 and under are free.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 15 minBiltmore (opens in a new tab)

  • River Arts District

    Asheville

    Old warehouses along the French Broad full of working studios and galleries. Many artists are happy to talk shop.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 20 minRiver Arts District (opens in a new tab)

  • The North Carolina Arboretum

    Asheville (Bent Creek)

    Gardens, easy trails and exhibits right next to the Parkway. One of the closest outings to Walnut Cove.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 15 minThe NC Arboretum (opens in a new tab)

  • Folk Art Center

    Blue Ridge Parkway, east Asheville

    Handmade Appalachian craft, from pottery to woodwork, in a gallery right on the Parkway.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 25 minSouthern Highland Craft Guild (opens in a new tab)

  • Asheville Art Museum

    Downtown Asheville

    American art with a strong Southern Appalachian thread, on Pack Square.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 20 minAsheville Art Museum (opens in a new tab)

  • Sierra Nevada Brewing, Mills River

    Mills River

    A huge, handsome brewery and taproom just a few minutes from Arden, with food and an outdoor lawn.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 10 minSierra Nevada (opens in a new tab)

  • New Belgium Brewing, Asheville

    Asheville (River Arts District)

    A riverside brewery and liquid center on the French Broad. Easy to pair with a RAD gallery walk.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 25 minNew Belgium (opens in a new tab)

  • Carl Sandburg Home

    Flat Rock

    The poet's farm, with trails up Big Glassy and a herd of goats descended from his wife's dairy herd.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 25 minNational Park Service (opens in a new tab)

  • WNC Farmers Market

    Asheville

    Year-round local produce, jams, honey and plants, close to I-26 and I-40.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 15 minWNC Farmers Market (opens in a new tab)

Waterfalls are slippery and dangerous. Stay on trails and behind barriers. Many parks are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, so check each link before you go.

Beyond Asheville

Nearby Towns

Some of the best days out start in the small towns around the city.

Season by Season

Seasonal Things to Do

Apple country, fall color, holiday lights, spring blooms and summer escapes.

Fall

  • Fall

    Fall Color on the Blue Ridge Parkway

    Parkway north and south of Asheville

    Color starts on the high peaks and works its way down the mountains over several weeks.

    Tip: Check the Parkway's road status page before you go. Sections can close.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: 10 to 60 minNational Park Service (opens in a new tab)
  • Fall

    Sky Top Orchard

    Zirconia (Flat Rock area)

    U-pick apples on a mountaintop, plus hayrides, an apple cannon and cider donuts. Family-run since 1967.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minSky Top Orchard (opens in a new tab)
  • Fall

    Stepp's Hillcrest Orchard

    Hendersonville

    A fourth-generation farm with 26 apple varieties, a corn maze and wagon rides.

    Tip: No admission charge. You pay for what you pick, buy or do (per the farm, 2026).

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minStepp's Hillcrest Orchard (opens in a new tab)
  • Fall

    Grandad's Apples

    Hendersonville

    Pre-picked apples daily, U-pick on select weekends, a pumpkin patch and a bakery.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 30 minGrandad's Apples (opens in a new tab)
  • Fall

    Coston Farm & Apple House

    Hendersonville

    U-pick and pre-picked apples, a bakery and a covered picnic and play area.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minCoston Farm (opens in a new tab)
  • Fall

    Justus Orchard

    Hendersonville

    A fifth-generation family orchard with apples, a bakery, a taproom and kids' activities.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minJustus Orchard (opens in a new tab)

Winter

  • Winter

    Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum

    Asheville (Bent Creek)

    Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027

    A walk-through holiday light show in the gardens, close to home for Walnut Cove.

    Tip: Tickets are timed and sell out on popular nights.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 15 minThe NC Arboretum (opens in a new tab)
  • Winter

    Christmas at Biltmore & Antler Hill Village Illumination

    Asheville

    Illumination: Nov 3, 2026 – Feb 15, 2027

    The estate dressed for the holidays, with Antler Hill Village lit nightly from 5 p.m. to midnight (included with admission).

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 15 minBiltmore (opens in a new tab)
  • Winter

    Skiing at Cataloochee

    Maggie Valley

    The closest ski area to Asheville, good for families and first-timers.

    Tip: Opening day depends on the weather. Check the resort.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hrCataloochee Ski Area (opens in a new tab)

Spring

Summer

  • Summer

    Navitat Canopy Adventures

    Barnardsville

    Zip line canopy tours in the forest north of Asheville.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 45 minNavitat (opens in a new tab)
  • Summer

    Lake James State Park

    Nebo

    Clear water, a swim beach and paddling at the foot of the mountains.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hr 15 minNC State Parks (opens in a new tab)
  • Summer

    Mount Mitchell's Cool Air

    Yancey County

    When the valley is hot, the summit is usually much cooler. A good summer escape.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 1 hr 20 minNC State Parks (opens in a new tab)

Apple season near Hendersonville usually runs from late summer into fall. Varieties change week to week, so check the orchard before you go.

For the Kids

Pumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes

Pumpkin patches, corn mazes and hayrides within an easy drive.

  • Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival

    West Asheville

    2026 season runs through Nov 1

    An 8-acre maze plus tractor rides, pumpkins, cider and lawn games. A family maze, not a haunted one, and proceeds support Eliada's work with kids.

    Tip: Outdoor and weather-dependent. Check Eliada's page or social accounts before you go.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 25 minEliada (opens in a new tab)

  • Stepp's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

    Hendersonville

    A 5-acre corn maze, wagon rides and an apple cannon on weekends, next to the orchard.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minStepp's Hillcrest Orchard (opens in a new tab)

  • Grandad's Pumpkin Patch

    Hendersonville

    Pumpkins in every size from late September, with hot cider donuts at the bakery. Leashed pets are welcome.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 30 minGrandad's Apples (opens in a new tab)

  • Sky Top Orchard Fun

    Zirconia

    Hayrides, an apple cannon and room for kids to run, with picking on the side.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 35 minSky Top Orchard (opens in a new tab)

Personally Tested

Troy's Favorites

Things I have done myself and would do again. More coming soon.

  • Troy Norton and friends with their bike helmets on at the Virginia Creeper Trail entrance sign in the fall

    Virginia Creeper Trail

    Damascus, Virginia

    I rode the Creeper recently and loved it. It is an old railroad grade turned bike trail, with trestles, creeks and an easy, mostly downhill feel if you take a shuttle up. Damascus outfitters rent bikes and run the shuttles.

    Tip: As of Oct 2026, the Damascus to Whitetop section is closed for Helene repairs. The Forest Service plans to reopen the full trail March 31, 2027. Abingdon to Damascus is open.

    Drive from Walnut Cove: about 2 hr 30 minU.S. Forest Service (opens in a new tab)

On the Calendar

Upcoming Events

Coming up around Asheville, from official calendars as of October 21, 2026. Dates and times change, so always check the source for current details.

Want more? See the Explore Asheville events calendar and Harrah's Cherokee Center events.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Whether you are selling or buying inside The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, tell me a little about what you need and I will follow up personally.

Recommendations by Troy Norton, a local realtor. Places and events are independent businesses and agencies, not affiliated with this site. Hours, prices, dates and access change, especially after storm recovery, so confirm with each source before you go. Last checked October 21, 2026. Drive times are approximate. Icons are original line drawings, not photos of these places. The Virginia Creeper Trail photo is Troy's own.