Geography

Asheville is nestled in a valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains at over 2,000 feet in elevation. Asheville’s unique location at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains brings wonderful weather to the area. Spring arrives early, Falls last longer and winters are milder than other mountain areas of similar altitude and latitude. The east coast’s highest peak, Mount Mitchell at 6684 feet, is just a short drive from Asheville on one of America’s most scenic drives, The Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is very popular during the Fall leaf season when visitors can take in the vibrant display of color put on by the seemingly endless forrest of trees. Even when the leaves aren’t in season the area is still breathtaking. Backpacker magazine rated Art Loeb Trail, a short drive from Asheville as #2 of scenic alpine views in America. Hollywood has also taken notice of the area’s natural beauty with famous movies such as Last of the Mohicans, Dirty Dancing, The Fugative, Hanibal and Cold Mountain being filmed here to name a few.