A hike for all ages which is part of the Mountain to Sea Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Craven Gap is a popular section of the Mountain to Sea Trail located just north of town on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A popular trail year-round, it's easily accessible and a great choice when trying to let your kiddos burn off some energy! From the parking lot head north and the trail will parallel the Blue Ridge Parkway. When the leaves are gone you’ll enjoy long-range views over an old-growth Balsam forest, and in the warmer months you’ll be fully immersed in nature with the leaves helping block out the road noise below. Most hikers will follow the trail for about 2 miles to Bull Gap, making it a nice 4 mile round trip hike. But of course, it can be as long or short as you want to make it! It’s an easy enough trail to pack a baby/toddler on your back, for older toddlers to walk, and any age child to enjoy!

One of my favorite things about hiking Craven Gap with kids is the chance to explore various parts of the ecosystem. Within the first mile you’ll encounter huge fallen trees with their root systems fully exposed, areas where rock slides have occurred leaving layers of rock exposed allowing water to seep through the cracks, creeks, wildflowers, and large rock overhangs that create small caves right along the trail. There is always something to discover and question, prompting awesome talks about nature along the way!

The easiest way to get to Craven Gap is to take Town Mountain Road straight out of downtown until it ends and intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parking area for the trailhead is right where the 2 roads intersect. Additional parking can be found right along the parkway. It is about a 15-20min drive from downtown.

Please note the address on the map is the Blue Ridge Visitor Center in Asheville. The hike doesn’t have an address but the mile marker is noted above.