Nature & Outdoor Recreation
I run 6-12 miles every morning at 5:30am, and let me tell you, Asheville at sunrise will make you believe in god or whatever
Dylan's Real Voice
The Hook:
"I run 6-12 miles every morning at 5:30am, and let me tell you, Asheville at sunrise will make you believe in god or whatever."
Personal Story:
Coming from Boston, I thought I knew about running. Then I moved here and discovered trail running at Bent Creek and literally had to stop mid-run the first time because the view made me cry. Now I'm that annoying person who posts sunrise photos every morning. My ex used to say I loved running more than him. He wasn't entirely wrong.
Why This Matters:
If you're thinking about moving here and you're outdoorsy, you need to know that this isn't just marketing bullshit. The access to trails, the running community, the fact that you can be on a mountain in 10 minutes – it's all real. Also, the gay running group is surprisingly fast and unsurprisingly dramatic.
☕ Miles run in Asheville: 3,847 and counting
Your Weekend Schedule
The Essential Asheville Runs
Dylan's routine: This is my daily church. 5:30am, headlamp on, coffee after.
River Arts District Greenway
✓ Dylan's been herePost-Helene: modifiedThe daily pilgrimage
Dylan says:
"This is where I run every single morning. Flat, fast, and you can see the sunrise over the mountains. The gay running crew meets here Saturdays at 7am."
Frequency: 365 days a year
Insider Tip: Park at New Belgium brewery (free). After October 2024, parts are closed from Helene but the main section is runnable.
Summit Coffee Truck
✓ Dylan's been herePost-run reward
Dylan says:
"Post-run cortado at the coffee truck. This is literally my routine 365 days a year."
Frequency: Every morning
Insider Tip: They open at 6:30am. The barista will start your drink when they see you coming if you're a regular.
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
✓ Dylan's been hereTrail running paradise
Dylan says:
"This is where I PR'd my trail half marathon. Also where I ate shit in front of a very attractive mountain biker."
Frequency: Weekly for long runs
Insider Tip: Start with Green's Lick trail if you're new to trails. Hard Times Road if you hate yourself. Parking is $5.
Highland Brewing
✓ Dylan's been hereTuesday night volleyball recovery
Dylan says:
"Tuesday night gay volleyball is where you'll meet everyone. I'm not saying this is where I met my boyfriend, but I'm not not saying it."
Frequency: 2-3 times per week
Insider Tip: Get there by 6:30 to get on a good team. Intermediate players on court 2.
Hiking the Classics
Dylan's routine: Early start to beat crowds. This is how locals actually do these hikes.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
✓ Dylan's been hereSunrise hike above the clouds
Dylan says:
"Short but steep. The 360 view at the top made my very atheist boyfriend say 'holy fuck there might be a god.'"
Frequency: Monthly in good weather
Insider Tip: Go before 8am or after 5pm unless you want to hike with 400 tourists. June for rhododendrons.
Black Balsam Knob
✓ Dylan's been hereAbove the tree line adventure
Dylan says:
"Above the tree line, 360 views, and I've seen three proposals here. Also great for existential crisis walks."
Frequency: Monthly
Insider Tip: Windy as fuck. Bring layers. The Instagram photos don't show everyone freezing their asses off.
Rough Ridge via Tanawha Trail
✓ Dylan's been hereSunset magic hour
Dylan says:
"Only 1.5 miles but feels like you're on top of the world. I bring all my out-of-town clients here."
Frequency: With every visitor
Insider Tip: The boardwalk section is slippery when wet. I've seen multiple people eat it.
Local's Secret Spots
Dylan's routine: Recovery day but still moving. These are the chill spots locals actually use.
Richmond Hill Park
✓ Dylan's been hereHill repeats with mansion views
Dylan says:
"Hidden gem for hill repeats. Also, you can judge real estate while you run."
Frequency: Weekly for hill work
Insider Tip: The residents are used to runners but don't be the asshole with music on speaker.
Hominy Creek Greenway
✓ Dylan's been hereRecovery run or walk paradise
Dylan says:
"Flat, shaded, and you'll see every dog in West Asheville. Great for recovery runs or first dates where you're not sure if they can keep up."
Frequency: Weekly recovery runs
Insider Tip: Connects to Carrier Park. You can make it a 10-mile loop with the RAD greenway.
DuPont State Forest
✓ Dylan's been hereWaterfall wonderland
Dylan says:
"Triple Falls trail is where Hunger Games was filmed. I may have pretended to be Katniss. No one saw."
Frequency: Monthly in summer
Insider Tip: 45-minute drive but worth it. Go on weekdays if possible. Hooker Falls is easiest.
Dylan's Must-Do List
- RAD Greenway at sunrise - this is church
- Bent Creek Hard Times Road - earn your beer
- Black Balsam above tree line - worth the wind
- Highland volleyball Tuesday - meet the gay outdoor crew
- DuPont waterfalls - worth the drive
- Saturday 7am gay running group at RAD
Reality Check
- You need trail shoes. Roads here will destroy regular running shoes
- Headlamp for winter runs (dark until 7:30am)
- June-August: Humid as balls. Start before 7am or die
- Parking at popular trailheads fills by 9am on weekends
- Download AllTrails. The paid version is worth it
- The gay running WhatsApp is how we coordinate
Where to Stay
Best greenway access, walkable to everything, this is where active gays live
If you're serious about running. I see the sunrise here every morning.
Getting Around
- • Need a car for trailheads
- • Greenways accessible by bike
- • Uber won't go to Bent Creek
Photo Ops
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