Outdoor activities near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
Enjoy the best of both worlds at The Ramble! The Ramble provides the amenities and convenience of a premier gated community while living among 1,000 acres of preserved woodlands.
What's more, the surrounding mountains offer myriad opportunities for the adventurous at heart, from hiking and biking to paddling, horseback riding, and much more. Your Ramble home is just minutes from the trails of the historic Biltmore Estate, the bike paths of Biltmore Forest, the winding roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the perpetual presence of the French Broad River.
Discover a beautiful way to live.
The Ramble Biltmore Forest is sculpted into the woodlands of Ducker Mountain and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. The community has been carefully planned by Biltmore Farms to provide an active and welcoming environment, complete with a wellness center, parks and trails, and community activities. Preserved open spaces are abundant and connected by an extensive network of trails that invites residents to ramble in the mountains.
Community and Outdoor Amenities Near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
Within a short walk of your home at the Ramble, you’ll have access to outstanding amenities, including a beautiful Living Well Center, parks, greenspaces, creeks, and trails—all surrounded by lush woodland forests.
Discover a community outdoor "living room" for all seasons at Longmeadow Park. This grand space was designed in the tradition of Central Park with a natural amphitheater that frames its striking open air pavilion. The park is home to The Ramble’s popular Concert Series and is considered the community’s geographic heart.
Living Well Center
Residents can enjoy a daily workout in the well-equipped exercise spaces of the Living Well Center. Gather with neighbors and family around the fireplace in the great room. Relax in the heated saline pool. And enjoy a match-up on the lighted tennis court or new pickleball courts. The center is also connected to the community walking trails, so you can live well inside and outside of its walls.
Overlook Park
When the woods call to you, Overlook Park awaits. Discover this pocket park on the way to Biltmore Park Town Square via the southern gate. Scenic views can be enjoyed from one of its benches perched along the sidewalk. Or, descend into the park to find a charming bridge close to a trickling waterfall.
Crescent Park
Just inside The Ramble’s main gates, tranquil Crescent Park is a popular destination for The Ramble's residents. Spend your days whiling away at sitting areas surrounding a pond that's as functional as it is picturesque. The pond is a bioretention basin designed to filter stormwater runoff before entering natural waterways. Over time, these pollutants break down and can be partially absorbed by plantings that include Carolina Sunset Day Lilies and Blue Flag Water Irises.
Dingle Creek
Formerly part of George Vanderbilt’s Buck Spring Lodge on Mount Pisgah, the Buck Spring Cabin now serves as a quaint community gathering space along The Ramble’s trails near Dingle Creek. A short walk away, the Bow Bridge is a signature gem of the community and a popular spot for photographers.
Community Trails
The Ramble Biltmore Forest has an extensive trail system that connects neighbors to the community's parks and amenities. Peaceful bird calls and seasonal mountain blooms can be enjoyed from the boardwalk. Additional trails are planned for the future.
Hiking trails near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
It's easy to get lost in the picturesque world of The Ramble, but it would be a mistake to ignore all the beauty in the surrounding mountains. In addition to offering ready access to one of the best small cities in the country, The Ramble is located near a wide range of outdoor opportunities for hikers of all levels of experience.
Craggy Gardens
EASY
This short, 1.4-mile stroll designated by the state of North Carolina as a National Heritage Area boasts incredible vistas. Craggy Gardens is home to unique plants and wildlife, including native rhododendrons. Parking is easily accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
French Broad River Greenway
EASY-Moderate
This 2.4-mile scenic double loop goes through Carrier Park and French Broad River Park, where parking is available. This paved greenway trail follows the contours of the French Broad River, offering a relatively flat route.
Graveyard Fields
EASY-Moderate
Graveyard Fields offers a short, moderate hike down to Lower Falls, a gorgeous waterfall and swimming hole. Hikers traverse grassy meadows and wading ponds, perfect for Summer day trips. Be sure to come back for mountaintop blueberry picking in late Summer.
North Carolina Arboretum
EASY–DIFFICULT
In addition to regular exhibits, events, and educational opportunities, the NC Arboretum offers 10+ miles of dog-friendly walking trails and outdoor gardens. Choose your level of difficulty on these trails that connect other area attractions, including Lake Powhatan, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Mount Pisgah
Moderate
South of Asheville, the Mount Pisgah Trail is recognized for its spectacular views of Buncombe, Henderson, and Haywood counties. At 5,721 feet, Mount Pisgah is a striking landmark, visible throughout the region. Trekking to its peak also includes a scenic trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Art Loeb Trail
Difficult
At 420.2 miles, the Art Loeb Trail is one of the longer and more difficult trails in the state. Traveling mainly along peaks and ridges, it skirts along the southwestern rim of the Davidson River valley, then skips across some of the highest peaks in the area before descending Cold Mountain.
Paddling and watersports near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
Waters surrounding The Ramble call to thrill-seekers looking for a whitewater adventure and casual fishermen looking to get out on the water with friends and family. Western North Carolina's clear waters make it easy to enjoy everything from paddling to water skiing all year long.
French Broad River
The French Broad River, one of the world's five oldest rivers, is accessible all year from several spots along its 218-mile length. You can find a number of launch stations at city parks and landing spots in Asheville. The French Broad is great for swimming or tubing in most areas.
Lake Lure
Lake Lure’s clear mountain water is home to sizable stocks of bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass, making it a haven for anglers. No permit? No problem. Visitors can enjoy floating on an inner tube, picnicking in the shade, or just catching some rays on the sandy beach.
Green River
The Lower Green River flows through the lush woodlands of the Green River Gorge and is great for paddlers of all levels, including beginners. Two tubing spots along this portion of the river make it perfect for casual fun. Visitors can rent a tube and float for an hour or the entire day.
Tuckasegee River
The Class I and II rapids of the Tuckasegee make it great for beginner rafters and paddlers, families with small children, and anyone looking for a relaxed river experience. At the peak of Summer, the river warms to a very comfortable 65 – 70°F as it winds through six reservoirs.
Deep Creek
Located in Bryson City, NC, Deep Creek is the most popular river tubing spot in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The creek offers a variety of terrain and water features that appeal to casual tubers and more adventurous paddlers.
Lake Adger
Covering approximately 438 acres with 14 miles of private shoreline, Lake Adger is regularly stocked with Muskellunge (Muskies). Non-residents can enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing (with some restrictions) from the public boat landing.
Mountain and road biking near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
Cyclists travel to western North Carolina from all over the world to ride this area's roadways and mountain trails. This landscape is ideally suited for cyclists of all ages and skill levels, including those looking for easy rides around The Ramble's carefully marked trails. Gorgeous backdrops, steep, rocky trails, and meandering streams combine to offer endless opportunities for adventure.
Biltmore Estate
Spend a relaxing afternoon touring the grounds of the country's most famous residence. In addition to miles of hiking, the Biltmore Estate features more than 20 miles of beginner and expert biking trails. Bikers can bring their own bikes or rent one on the spot.
Bent Creek
The Bent Creek Experimental Forest is within a 15-minute drive from The Ramble. Unlike many of the legendary trails in the surrounding Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek is an excellent area for younger or more inexperienced riders to practice their abilities and get some exercise before tackling tougher terrain.
Fletcher Creek Trail
This typical streamside trail features fern gardens, hardwood forests, hemlocks, and log bridges. It passes through open meadows rimmed with flowering dogwoods near its upper end. Still, the trail is mostly dry, depending on the season. Follow it to the North Mills River Campground or in the opposite direction to Hendersonville.
Bracken Preserve
Widely regarded as one of the best cycling areas of the Southern United States, Brevard offers numerous mountain biking paths to explore. Pick between two primary trails in the Bracken Preserve. Neither are technical and can be ridden by both beginners and experienced riders.
DuPont State Forest
One of the best waterfall rides in DuPont State Forest; biking routes range from easier forest roads to more challenging mountain biking paths. With seven miles of downhill slopes, the Ridgeline Loop is a favorite choice for riders looking for a thrill.
Additional outdoor adventures near The Ramble Biltmore Forest
There are as many ways to enjoy the outdoors near The Ramble Biltmore Forest as there are days in the year. If you have yet to visit The Ramble or wonder what more this area offers for outdoor enjoyment, here are just a few additional activities.
Birding
One outdoor activity that’s becoming increasingly popular is birding. With our mountainous topography and four-season climate, there’s no better place to see a wide variety of birds. In fact, many rare and exciting species call WNC home for at least a portion of the year. Chimney Rock State Park is a great spot for sightings of warblers, owls, and rare Peregrine Falcons.
Canopy tours
Ziplining offers one of the most awe inspiring and adrenaline inducing ways to experience our peaks. With our majestic mountains and old-growth forests, aerialists as young as four years old can travel from treetop to treetop, exploring protected forests from above.
Farm tours
A long growing season and mild winters provide bountiful harvests of produce, dairy, and other farm products for people across the region. Support local farmers by touring local farms and farm stands. The WNC Cheese Trail allows you to connect directly with artisan cheesemakers.
Golf
There’s nothing like playing a round of golf at high elevation to quicken the blood and make you feel alive. The 18-hole golf course at Biltmore Forest Country Club is still a picture of its 1922 splendor. Over the years, the course has attracted the likes of Bobby Jones, Bill Tilden, John D. Rockefeller, William Jennings Bryan, William Howard Taft, and Calvin Coolidge.
Winter sports
Even through the cold winter days, there’s plenty to do outside to get moving and keep your mind off the cold. Surrounding mountains are perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. In addition, properly equipped winter hikers and backpackers can enjoy the best views of the year without the crowds.
Learning about native plants and animals
There are more than 700 species of native and exotic plants at the NC Arboretum. Among them are trees, shrubs, vines, wildflowers, herbs, grasses, sedges, aquatic plants, ferns, mosses, and lichens. Other ways to enjoy the region’s many natural gifts include, watching elk graze in Cataloochee Valley, seeing the annual monarch migration, and visiting the WNC Nature Center to watch playful otters.
