Actor and comedian Robin Williams said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” As the season officially arrives on March 19, the return of flower blooms and green leaves to Asheville make epic decorations for outdoor parties. Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) hosts a number of opportunities to hike, backpack, roll, or walk with friends and neighbors.
Weekly Opportunities
Walking to Motown plays your favorite jams while you walk at your own pace on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-2:15pm at Linwood Crump Shiloh Community Center.
Learn technique and develop tools to make walking part of your wellness routine during Walk with Ease at Crump Shiloh Center from 10-11am on Mondays from March 18-April 29.
An introduction to the exciting world of birding for adults set inside and outside the classroom, Birding by Ear meets Mondays from April 8-29 at Harvest House Community Center from 10am-12pm. $30 advance registration required.
Walk It Out celebrates National Walking Month with relaxing strolls from Tempie Avery Montford Community Center for individuals 25 or older from 10:15-11am on Mondays from May 6-20.
Monthly Hikes, Walks, & Rolls
Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Hiking offers a free monthly hike for individuals ages 18 or older with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements. Transportation provided from Murphy-Oakley Community Center.
- March 7 – Bill Moore Community Park
- April 11 – Moore Cove Falls
- May 9 – Laurel River Trail
Crump Shiloh Center hosts Skate Jams on the second and fourth Friday of the month with all ages welcome from 5-6pm and ages 16 and older from 6-7:45pm. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for $3.
- March 8
- March 22
- April 12
- April 26
After a winter break, APR’s Greenway Walking Club returns with a goal to connect community members ages 13 and older through free out-and-back walks allowing for easy exploration along the city’s greenways.
- March 20 – Glen Creek and Reed Creek Greenways from Weaver Park
- April 24 – French Broad River Greenway from Carrier Park towards Hominy Creek River Park
- May 22 – French Broad River Greenway from French Broad River Park towards New Belgium Brewery
Treks Hiking Club hosts leisurely-paced, low-impact hikes each month for adults 50+. $5 advance registration required which covers transportation from the Outdoor Recreation facility at Recreation Park.
- March 21 – Walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary in Montreat
- April 16 – Alexander’s Ford at Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
- May 16 – Glassy Mountain Trail at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Designed by and for nature nerds, Naturalist Hikes are free short, slow-paced adventures with a goal to learn how to identify plants, animal tracks, bird songs, and other natural phenomena in the southern Appalachians.
- March 22 – Richmond Hill Park
- March 26 – Azalea Park
- April 19 – Botanical Gardens at Asheville
- May 6 – Bearwallow Mountain
Special Events
To celebrate Women’s History Month, women, people who identify as women, and nonbinary folk are invited to connect during Women’s Day Hike at Strawberry Gap Trail on March 17. $5 advance registration required and covers transportation from the Outdoor Recreation facility at Recreation Park.
Earn spoke lights and glow-in-the-dark accessories on March 23 at Light the Night Bike Ride, a new free family-friendly event encouraging bike safety, education, and community-building that ends with a group glow cycle.
Explore on Your Own
If you prefer to choose your own adventure, use these resources to find hundreds of additional recreation opportunities including free meetups and clubs, exercise and sports, arts and crafts, and more:
- Winter-Spring Program Guide: English | español
- Weekly & Monthly Programs At-a-Glance
- Search Asheville Parks & Recreation Programs Online
- Subscribe to Asheville Parks & Recreation’s Monthly Newsletter
- Visit Parks, Greenways, Playgrounds, and Unique Spaces Throughout Asheville