The mountains surrounding Asheville are overflowing with opportunities for outdoor adventures, from hiking to cycling to camping to whitewater rafting. But did you know you don’t have to leave Asheville’s city limits to enjoy an afternoon of outdoor thrills? Urban adventures abound; here are a few favorites to try next time you’re looking for a little local excitement.

Asheville Treetops Adventure Park

Featuring 60 unique climbing, flying, walking, jumping, swinging and rappelling challenges anchored to more than 30 trees and poles, this park (just minutes from downtown Asheville in the Adventure Center of Asheville) has five different trails with various obstacles and challenge levels – think a jungle gym for all ages. Challenges include a flying kayak, snowboard and swinging hula hoops. https://www.ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/asheville-treetops-adventure-park

Kolo Bike Park

Located in West Asheville, right off I-240, is Kolo Bike Park, part of the Adventure Center of Asheville. Here you’ll find four miles of mountain bike trails featuring a hand-built singletrack surrounded by wooded terrain, a machine-built flow trail with dirt berms and rollers, two pump tracks for beginners and advanced riders, wooden balance features and bridges, a dirt jump area with a range of jump levels, and a 180-degree wood berm. All the trails are designed for various rider levels, from beginner to expert. https://www.ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kolo-bike-park

Rock Climbing and Bouldering

For some in-town climbing, head to Climbmax (with two locations, downtown and by the French Broad River in West Asheville). The downtown location (which is great for children as well as adults) features expansive bouldering terrain, as well as a 40-foot outdoor climbing wall. The Smoky Mountain Adventure Center location on Amboy Road features extensive top rope and lead climbing, with six auto-belays for indoor use. It also offers a 44-foot outdoor wall, MoonBoard and fitness equipment. https://www.climbmaxnc.com

Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures and KidZip

This convenient zipline canopy tour, amid white and red oaks on a 124-acre resort, affords views of downtown Asheville set against a majestic mountain backdrop. The full canopy tour includes 11 ziplines in nine treetop platforms and several large adventure towers, as well as three sky bridges. The express tour includes seven ziplines and one sky bridge. https://ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/asheville-zipline-canopy-adventure/about-asheville-zipline-canopy-adventures

In addition, kids ages 4-10 can enjoy KidZip (either self-guided for older kids, or with an adult escort for younger kids), which includes nine ziplines and four climbing elements, with ziplines ranging in length from 50 to 250 feet. https://www.ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/kidzip

French Broad River activities

The French Broad River flows through the heart of Asheville, which means you can enjoy a range of floating fun without leaving town. Among the offerings:

·       Stand-up paddleboarding – Wai Mauna offers paddleboard rentals, which include a free lesson (and complimentary footwear!), as well as guided tours where you can learn about Asheville’s history. https://www.waimaunaashevillesuptours.com

·       Tubing – This laidback way to see Asheville from the water involves putting in at one of the many points along the French Broad, then floating through forests and past riverside breweries, bars and restaurants. Popular starting points include Hominy Creek River Park, Carrier Park and Jean Webb River Park. Many businesses along the river encourage tubers to disembark for a drink or meal: Grab a bite at White Duck Taco or 12 Bones, or a brew from New Belgium Brewery or the Bywater. Tube rentals are plentiful (check out Asheville Outdoor Center or Zen Tubing for starters).

·       Flat-water canoeing or kayaking – To travel via canoe or kayak, there’s a popular seven-mile river trip that runs through Asheville, passing through the Biltmore Estate. Put-in is at Bent Creek River and picnic area (near the N.C. Arboretum), and take-out is at Hominy Creek River and picnic park. The Asheville Outdoor Center offers shuttles.

To learn about Real Estate in Asheville, contact Mosaic Realty owner Mike Figura at Mike@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call him anytime at 828-337-8190.

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