As they near the top of the huge 60-foot flat, sloping boulder, most hold their noses and take the plunge, sliding into the clear cool water below. Sliding Rock, is just one of a hundred or so waterfalls that grace the mountains around Asheville, and one of many adventures waiting in Western North Carolina. Whether your pleasure is a pleasant hike through virtually undisturbed wilderness, seeking out a 400-foot waterfall, embarking on a rollicking whitewater raft ride, rockhounding for precious gems, the mountains around Asheville offers outdoor activities to suit every taste. The area includes the highest mountain peaks east of the Mississippi, and a cornucopia of outdoor delights that include whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, camping, golfing, fishing, and rockhounding.
Pristine beauty brings crowds, no matter what the destination.
It also means adventure. With some of the most beautiful and exhilarating wilderness rivers in the eastern United States, western North Carolina has become the capital of whitewater recreation. The French Broad River, which runs through Asheville, N. C., has long, peaceful stretches that can accommodate family raft rides, and whitewater rapids for kayaks and canoe enthusiasts. The wide river winds among the mountains of the Pisgah National Forest, offering eight miles of numerous small rapids and several larger ones, with placid pools that are perfect for swimming. The Nantahala River, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Bryson City, N.C., offers ideal whitewater rafting conditions for families and beginners.