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Educational Spring Hikes to Take with Your Kids

Educational Spring Hikes to Take with Your Kids

March 01, 2022

Spring is in the air. Well, it may not quite be in the air just yet here in Asheville, but the temperatures are trending upward, and in a few weeks, our area will be transformed. 

Color will spread from the ridges to the valleys as trees and flowers blossom and grow. As we trade the cold and snow for warmth and sunshine, spring is one of the best times of the year in western North Carolina.   

Our area is known for being among the most scenic in the South. In southwestern North Carolina, there are thousands of miles of hiking trails. Attempting to hike all of them in a lifetime would be a huge undertaking. 

Exploring these trails, however, is always a great option for your family to enjoy the outdoors and help children continue learning even when they are not in class. 

Your favorite trails and vistas will change from day to day and season to season, so spring is a great time to observe that transition in action. In this article, we are discussing some of the best educational hikes in western North Carolina. 

Ten Educational Spring Hikes for Families with Children

1) Turtleback and Rainbow Falls

4 Miles | Out-And-Back | 870-Feet of Elevation Gain | Sapphire, NC

Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls share the same trail near Brevard. It is an easy-to-moderate trek for families and children, with the opportunity to see two different types of waterfalls. Rainbow Falls, which you will reach first, is tall and wispy. Your children will love feeling the light spray. 

Turtleback is just ahead after you pass Rainbow. This waterfall is beautiful, fast-moving, and the sound will make you want to relax and spend all day beside them. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy discussing the wonder of God's creation. 

2) Blackrock Mountain Trail

4.5 Miles | Out-And-Back | 1,600-Feet of Elevation Gain | Sylva, NC

Blackrock Mountain Trail follows a high elevation ridge near Addie, NC, and is moderately difficult owing to the distance and elevation increase. This trail, which reaches a height of over a mile, offers excellent 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains. Blackrock is roughly an hour and a half from Asheville via the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Bring a detailed map and utilize the view to point out all the various mountain ridges. You can also discuss the history of the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian chain as you enjoy the amazing view.

clingmans dome

3) Clingmans Dome Observation Tower

1.2 Miles | Out-And-Back | 330 Feet of Elevation Gain | Swain County, NC

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is one of the highest summits east of the Mississippi River, just forty-one feet lower than Mount Mitchell. Located on the Tennessee border, you can reach the parking lot to the paved trail by traveling through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 

Although it is one of the shorter trails on our list, it is one of the most educationally rich. The unique observation tower is wheelchair accessible and provides a 360-degree view of up to seven states on a clear spring day, including: 

  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • South Carolina 
  • Virginia
  • Kentucky
  • Alabama
  • Mississippi

There is plenty of signage around the tower to help identify the towns, valleys, ridges, and lakes in view in each direction. Of course, parents and children can do some research beforehand and bring binoculars to better appreciate the views from the top of the world. 

If your family wants to get a few more miles of hiking in on the trip to Clingmans Dome, you can use the storied Appalachian Trail to hike about two miles total to either Mt. Love or Mt. Buckley. Between the views and the high elevation flora and fauna, there is much to learn at Clingmans Dome. 

4) Roan Mountain: Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald

Alltrails Trail Map

5 Miles | Out-And-Back | 1,100-Feet of Elevation Gain | | Roan Mountain, TN

The Roan Mountain Highlands of East Tennessee offers some of the most spectacular views in the Appalachian Mountains. There are several hiking trails of various lengths throughout the area. This specific family hike follows the Appalachian Trail to Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge Bald. 

In addition to being treated to the magnificence of creation, your family will likely be treated to wildlife that can include deer, many birds, chipmunks, and potentially even a black bear. Keep your distance, of course. 

5) Natural Garden, Bent Creek, and Carolina Mountain Trails

2.7 Miles | Loop | 300-Feet of Elevation Gain | Asheville, NC

This loop is made up of trails at the North Carolina Arboretum, which is located just outside of Asheville. Despite its proximity to the city, it plunges into magnificent forests and follows gorgeous Bent Creek for part of the way.

There are plenty of other trails to choose from if you want to put in more miles. You can simply abbreviate this hike if you need to do a little less. The North Carolina Arboretum features information about flora and fauna, excellent signage, and opportunities for teaching and learning throughout its well-maintained trails. 

6) Deep Creek Waterfall Loop

4 Miles | Loop | 870-Feet of Elevation Gain | Bryson City, NC

Deep Creek Waterfall loop is a reasonably easy wooded hike that has a stunning waterfall. The trailhead is located near Bryson City, about an hour and a half from downtown Asheville. With what is typically light hiking traffic, you can witness a variety of species of wildlife on or around the trial. This hike can be extended by linking it with a number of others in the region.

The East Coast’s only wild herd of elk is located in and around this part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. If you do not see them while on the trail, you are almost guaranteed to see some elk at the nearby Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. 

mount pisgah

7) Mount Pisgah

4.5 Miles | Out-And-Back | 1,050-Feet of Elevation Gain | Canton, NC

This hike ascends Mount Pisgah, providing a 270-degree view of the surrounding mountains and vistas. There is a television tower at the summit, which is an incredible marvel of modern engineering. Stop at the visitor center to learn some of the amazing stories of how people kept the tower operation through some of the wildest weather western North Carolina could throw at it.

After your climb, you can dine at the legendary Pisgah Inn for lunch or dinner. The inn itself is famous and has a storied history. 

8) Crabtree Falls

2.6 Miles | Loop | 580-Feet of Elevation Gain | Little Switzerland, NC

A little over an hour northeast of Asheville, Crabtree Falls features a magnificent waterfall. When the weather is warm, the bool at the base of the falls is a popular swimming hole. You are likely to catch a glimpse of salamanders and other water wildlife. 

From the falls, the trail climbs up toward some impressive mountain views. During spring, wildflowers and blooming trees give families plenty to talk about and study. 

9) Lakeshore and Tunnel Bypass Trail Loop

3.2 Miles | Loop | 446-Feet of Elevation Gain | Bryson City, NC

The Tunnel Bypass Trail, sometimes known as the Road to Nowhere, is located near Bryson City on the western shore of Fontana Lake. Walking through the old tunnel with your family, hooting and yelling, and listening to the echo will be a blast. It also provides an opportunity to discuss sound waves and the history of Fontana Lake and Dam. 

After walking back through the tunnel, you can continue hiking the Lakeshore Loop for views of Fontana Lake. This is one of the most stunning bodies of water in western North Carolina. After your hike, you can drive to the visitor’s center for more information about the lake and the dam. You might also consider taking a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad to learn more about the Nantahala Gorge area. 

dupont state forest high falls

10) DuPont State Forest Three Waterfalls Hike (High Falls, Triple Falls, Hooker Falls)

4.5 Miles | Loop & Out-And-Back | 600-Feet of Elevation Gain | Cedar Mountain, NC

Dupont State Forests boasts 12,500 acres of protected western North Carolina beauty. Beautiful views, stunning rock features, and dozens of waterfalls present visitors with more to explore than can be done in a single trip. 

This hike helps families see some of the highlights of Dupont without venturing too far away from civilization. Part of the trail is an out-and-back, but much of it is a loop, so you won’t be doing much backtracking. 

Dupont State Forests has some of the most unique flora, fauna, wildlife, forests, and natural features you can find in western North Carolina. This will be a great way for your children to enjoy learning more about nature while having fun in our amazing area. 

Emmanuel Lutheran School in Asheville, NC

At ELS, we love to encourage parents and families to get kids outdoors and experience God’s amazing creation. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, so our faculty and staff can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get out and enjoy it. 

Getting outside can help kids improve their mental health, get vitamin D, and get the exercise they need to grow strong. While in class at ELS, students expand their minds and grow spiritually through hearing the gospel daily. We are the only Chrisitan parochial school that utilizes a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum

If you know your child would benefit from being part of a private Christian school in Asheville, we would love to tell you more about how they can be enrolled. Contact the team at Emmanuel Lutheran School for more information