The world-famous Appalachian Trail weaves in and out of towns and right down the heart of Hot Springs, a recreation destination all of its own. Western North Carolina is home to several other rivers offering high adventure - the Nantahala, Nolichucky, Pigeon, Ocoee, Chattooga and Tuckaseegee. Outfitters leading whole and half-day and overnight trips abound. Whitewater parks on the Nantahala River in Wesser and Ledges Park on the French Broad in Asheville also provide holes for whitewater kayaking. There is also no shortage of outdoor guides ready to take you mountain biking on the rough and tumble trails in Bent Creek Experimental Forest near Asheville, Pisgah National Forest and in Tsali Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest in the far western region of the state.
Many bike shops offer clinics, instruction, rentals and repair services.
If hanging off cliffs gets you high, we've got the rocks to do it on. From the indoor climbing wall at Climbmax Climbing Center in downtown Asheville to monoliths like Looking Glass Rock in the Pisgah Ranger District, you can hang to your heart's content. Disc golf is one of the newest outdoor pursuits to hit the mountains. The courses are free - all you have to buy are the discs at stores like the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Disc golfing is unlike traditional golf in that the courses are designed to blend with the natural environment, using obstacles such as trees, shrubs, hills and streams to make the course more challenging, without the use of pesticide-laden greens.