Asheville's six city greenways with lengths and parking, the Arboretum's 10 miles of trails into Bent Creek, Richmond Hill and Beaucatcher Overlook, and what is closed.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts come from the City of Asheville’s greenways page and park pages, and The North Carolina Arboretum, linked below. Asheville Parks and Recreation: 828-259-5800.

Asheville’s city greenways add up to about 9 miles, most of it along the French Broad River and through the River Arts District, and the hills around town carry miles more of natural-surface trail. Tropical Storm Helene closed much of the riverfront in September 2024; most of the main greenway has reopened, but some sections and parks have not. This guide gives distances, trailheads and parking. For parks, playgrounds and dog parks, see parks and trails.

At a glance

  • Longest flat route: French Broad River Greenway, 3.9 miles, plus the 2.2-mile Wilma Dykeman Greenway through the River Arts District.
  • Most trail miles: The North Carolina Arboretum, more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails.
  • Hours: city parks and greenways 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Arboretum 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. April to October, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. November to March.

City greenways

The city maintains six greenways, according to its greenways page:

Greenway Length Route Status
French Broad River Greenway 3.9 miles Hominy Creek River Park through Carrier Park to Craven Street, west bank Mostly open; closed through French Broad River Park
Wilma Dykeman Greenway 2.2 miles Hill Street to Amboy Road through the River Arts District, with a two-way cycle track Open; the 8 River Arts Place lot is closed
Reed Creek Greenway 0.9 mile The Botanical Gardens on W.T. Weaver Boulevard toward downtown along Broadway Open
Glenn’s Creek Greenway 0.75 mile Weaver Park on Merrimon Avenue to Broadway, through UNC Asheville Open
Hominy Creek Greenway 0.7 mile Natural-surface trail from 26 Shelburne Road to Sand Hill Road Open
Swannanoa River Greenway 0.5 mile Inside Riverbend Park Open

Status is from the city’s French Broad River Greenway and Wilma Dykeman Greenway pages.

Linking them up. The French Broad River Greenway and the Wilma Dykeman Greenway meet near Amboy Road, so together they make a riverside route of about 6 miles from Hominy Creek to the River Arts District, minus the closed section at French Broad River Park.

Parking for the French Broad River Greenway: Hominy Creek River Park, 220 Hominy Creek Road; Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road; Amboy Riverfront Park, 180 Amboy Road; Craven Street Trailhead Park, 7 Emma Road; and on-street on Craven Street.

Carrier Park, partly reopened, keeps its velodrome, picnic shelter, wetlands and parking open, with the greenway running through it; the playground and courts on the west side are closed.

Coming. A 1-mile Swannanoa River Greenway extension from Thompson Street to Bleachery Road started construction in 2024 but is paused because of Helene damage to the site, the city says.

The North Carolina Arboretum

The Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way off the Blue Ridge Parkway, has more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, 12 of them rated easy, moderate or difficult, that connect to Lake Powhatan, the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway, according to the Arboretum. Parking is $25 a vehicle; leashed dogs are welcome on trails.

Trail Length Use Level
Bent Creek Road 1.3 miles Walkers, leashed pets and bikes; flat gravel Easy
Bent Creek Trail 1.3 miles Foot traffic only, along the creek Easy
Azalea Collection Trail 0.5 mile Foot traffic only Easy
Old Mill Trail 0.3 mile Connects the main trailhead parking to Bent Creek Road Easy
Wolf Branch Road 0.3 mile Connector into Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Lake Powhatan Easy
Carolina Mountain Trail 1.2 miles Foot traffic only Moderate
Owl Ridge Trail 0.94 mile Bikes, hikers and leashed pets; natural surface Difficult

Bikers start from the recreational parking area near the front entrance or the Production Greenhouse lot, according to the Arboretum’s biking trails page. Hard Times Road, a short, steep biking trail, drops off the property into Pisgah National Forest and meets Bent Creek Road near Lake Powhatan.

Hills in town

  • Richmond Hill Park, 300 Richmond Hill Drive. Partly reopened after Helene: the disc golf course is fully open and some hiking trails are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pisgah Area SORBA has maintained and expanded the trail network for years and is helping rebuild it. Obey temporary signs and fencing; the city warns that hazards remain and trail conditions have changed, on its Richmond Hill page.
  • Beaucatcher Overlook Park. About 30 acres of forested slope with natural-surface trails and views over downtown, with a trailhead at Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park, according to the city.

Greenway etiquette

The city asks greenway users to:

  • pass slowly on the left, and call out before passing;
  • keep music at a volume where you can hear others;
  • travel no more than two wide, and step off the path to stop or talk;
  • keep dogs on a 3-foot leash;
  • not litter.

In the River Arts District, the cycle track is for faster traffic such as bikes.

More outdoors: dog-friendly Asheville, kids’ activities, free things to do and getting around.

Frequently asked questions

What is the longest greenway in Asheville?

The French Broad River Greenway, at 3.9 miles, from Hominy Creek River Park through Carrier Park to Craven Street on the river’s west bank. The section through French Broad River Park is closed after Helene.

Where do I park for the French Broad River Greenway?

At Hominy Creek River Park, 220 Hominy Creek Road; Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road; Amboy Riverfront Park, 180 Amboy Road; Craven Street Trailhead Park, 7 Emma Road; or on Craven Street.

Where can I mountain bike near Asheville?

The North Carolina Arboretum has easy to difficult biking trails that connect to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Pisgah National Forest. Richmond Hill Park’s trail network, built with Pisgah Area SORBA, is partly reopened after Helene.

Are Asheville greenways open after Helene?

Mostly. The Wilma Dykeman Greenway is open and most of the French Broad River Greenway is open, but the section through French Broad River Park is closed, and the 1-mile Swannanoa Greenway extension is paused.

What are the rules on Asheville greenways?

The city asks users to pass slowly on the left and call out first, travel no more than two wide, step off the path to stop, keep dogs on a 3-foot leash and not litter. Greenways are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.