Outdoor Fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains: A Weekend Itinerary

Surrounded by Pisgah National Forest and minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hendersonville welcomes travelers seeking to disconnect from daily worries and reconnect with the natural world. The Blue Ridge Mountain terrain creates an ideal setting for hiking, mountain biking, paddling, ziplining and the overall enjoyment of the great outdoors.

When you arrive, get into the flow of an outdoor weekend with a visit to Ride Kanuga, a downhill mountain biking park that’s a good fit for both beginners and advanced riders. They have everything needed to outfit inexperienced riders, including instruction, while veteran riders can mount their bikes and go.

That evening, check into Cold Spring Basecamp in Zirconia, then head to Hendersonville’s Main Street for your choice of restaurants and breweries.

Grab a quick breakfast and coffee from the nearby HenDough Chicken & Donuts, which offers sit-down or counter service options for both breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast, head down the mountain to Saluda, and go rafting with Green River Adventures. Or if everyone is up for it, check out their sister attraction, The Gorge Zipline. It is one of the steepest and fastest zipline adventures in the nation — a great way to build connections with your travel companions and maybe even face your fear of heights as you (safely and securely) fly through the tree canopy.

Back in Flat Rock, do lunch in the outdoors at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. This courtyard eatery wows patrons with slow-cooked, hickory-smoked Carolina barbecue, accompanied by an impressive array of sauces and sides.

After a tasty lunch, go on a half-day guided fly-fishing trip with DB bar D Outfitters in Mills River. Enjoy access to private waters where the average size of the trout caught is 17 inches. DB bar D accommodates anglers of all skill levels and offers shorter, two-hour guided lessons for beginners, and provides all of the necessary equipment you’ll need, including your NC Fishing license.

Take in a gorgeous sunset at Jump Off Rock, a small mountaintop park just 15 minutes from downtown Hendersonville. Afterward, go casual with patio dining at White Duck Taco Shop in the Historic 7th Avenue District. White Duck is also walking distance to two breweries, Southern Appalachian Brewery and Guidon Brewing Co., a distillery and NC’s first brandy bar.

Get going early with breakfast at Flat Rock Village Bakery, after breakfast, conveniently grab a quick sandwich for you picnic at DuPont State Recreational Forest. Park at the High Falls access area, which has clean restrooms and a Visitor Center, for a three-mile hike to three scenic waterfalls along Little River. Highlights include a swimming area below Hooker Falls and great views of Triple Falls, featured in The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. Mountain bikers should also consider the slick rock trails at DuPont, some of the best of their kind on the East Coast.

As a reminder, please practice Leave No Trace Principles while you visit DuPont, and be sure to pack out your waste, respect wildlife, give others space, stay on the trails and leave only your footprints. Additionally, DuPont is one of the most popular parks in the region, so it is recommended to make an alternate plan if you can’t find parking at the High Falls parking area, and either find parking at one of DuPont’s other parking areas or check out one of the many other trails in the region.

Additionally, always practice waterfall safety, and please note that e-bikes, alcohol, drones, camping and cookouts are prohibited at DuPont.

After your day of hiking at DuPont, end the day with a delicious dinner at Auction House Food Hall. With a variety of dining options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Relax in the outdoor seating area and soak in the last few hours of Hendersonville, making it the perfect way to cap off your adventure.