
Many families travel to the Blue Ridge Mountains for the ultimate ‘Great Outdoors’ experience. Hiking is a great way to connect as a family and see the best of the mountains, but children don’t always share the same invigoration and stamina for hiking that adults do. With thousands of miles of hiking trails near Asheville (many of which are in national forests or parks), it’s hard to know which ones are kid friendly hiking trails. Below are our favorite trails that aren’t too long or too strenuous and offer some kid friendly highlights along the way, like waterfalls, picnic areas, paved trails for strollers and more. See our hiking tips for kids below. See our Top 20 Family Vacation Ideas for more things to do.
15 Kid Friendly Trails near Asheville














Kid Friendly Hiking Tips
- Kids require flexibility, so it’s important to keep your expectations realistic for your child’s age.
- Be sure your little one wears layers, some hikes are at higher elevations- which can range in temperatures as much as 20 degrees.
- Pack plenty of water, snacks and a backup change of clothes.
- Pack a small first aid kit.
- Hike first thing in the morning when kids are well rested and have high energy levels.
- Make it a game! Help kids stay engaged with games like scavenger hunts, counting objects, i-spy, etc.
- Register your little ones with Kids in Parks so they can log hikes and earn prizes.
- Allow stops for a closer look at things. “What does it look, feel, sound, taste, smell like?” Encourage discovery of bugs, leaves, bark, moss, animal prints, etc.
- Have fun! Kids take their cues from adults. If you’re having fun, they’re having fun.
See more pages from our Family Guide: Top 20 Family Vacation Ideas | Waterfalls for Kids | Biltmore for Kids | Family-Friendly Hotels & Lodging | Top 20 Indoor Activities for Kids | Hands-On Learning & Children's Museums | Kids in Parks | Places for Kid's Birthday Parties | Overnight Summer Camps | Day & Half-Day Summer Camps | Kid-Friendly Restaurants | Family Date Ideas


