This itinerary for a day trip from Asheville to a waterfall hike includes our recommendations for picnic food, where to get ice cream and what you should have for dinner.
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This itinerary details a delightful day trip from Asheville. It includes the 3-mile Crabtree Falls trail, a stop in a local village for shopping and ice cream, and a drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. We also share food recommendations along the way.
About This Itinerary
Your day begins with breakfast in North Asheville at City Bakery. This is also where you can get your picnic lunch to-go.
From there, you’ll hop in your car and head to Crabtree Falls. Here you can enjoy a moderate hike to a 70-foot waterfall. Make sure to spend time there admiring the views!
After that, make a quick stop in nearby Little Switzerland for ice cream and shopping before heading back on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
This itinerary ends with dinner at a local favorite spot, though we also include a few other ideas to inspire.
The total drive time starting at City Bakery is 2 hours 36 minutes (109 miles.) While this may sound like a lot, more than half of it is on the Parkway. It’s a very enjoyable drive and truly part of the destination.
Early Morning: Breakfast
A quick stop for breakfast and lunch provisions
The first stop on this itinerary is City Bakery in North Asheville. Not only can you get a great breakfast sandwich but they also have picnic-worthy lunch sandwiches available starting at 7:30 am.
Plan to order online! Your order will be waiting in their grab-and-go area at the scheduled time.
What to order: Get a bacon, egg and cheese on a cheddar scallion biscuit for breakfast. For a picnic lunch, order their BLT and/or the turkey avocado + bacon sandwich to-go.
Want a different breakfast option?
If you prefer a sweet breakfast, check our OWL Bakery’s North Asheville location. They have excellent breakfast pastries and great coffee.
OWL is just down the road from City Bakery, so you can combine this with a picnic lunch pickup from City Bakery. The other option is to get a ham and cheese croissant from OWL for your picnic lunch.
Wondering how to keep your sandwiches cool? We typically pack a lunch box with an ice pack or two!
Next: Take A Drive
Your next destination is the Crabtree Falls trailhead. We love this trail because it’s a shaded loop with an impressive waterfall.
To avoid crowds and enjoy cooler morning temperatures, we recommend taking the quicker route from Asheville to the trail via I-26 through Burnsville.
It’s just under one hour (49 miles) from City Bakery to the trailhead if you go through Burnsville. You’ll even get time on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a few miles before arriving at the trail.
And don’t worry, our recommendation for the drive back to Asheville is to take the Parkway the whole way.
Wondering what time you should arrive? Our recommendation is by 9:30 am during peak tourist season. This would especially be true on fall weekends!
Anticipated time: 1 hour drive (+ additional time if you stop at overlooks)
Late Morning: A Waterfall Hike
A moderate loop hike to a waterfall on the Parkway
You’ll be ready to stretch your legs after the drive to the trailhead! Luckily the 3-mile Crabtree Falls loop is a great trail for that.
It’s an enjoyable trail with a lot of shade and plant life along the way. The real star of the show, though, is the picturesque 70-foot waterfall toward the middle of the loop.
There are some steep areas, as well as roots and rocks on the trail. Be prepared!
Crabtree Falls is dog-friendly and kid-friendly, though we recommend it for kids who have trail experience.
Know Before You Go
There are portable restrooms in the parking lot. There aren’t any additional facilities along the trail.
Bring a change of shoes and a towel if you want to rock-hop for a bit. There’s a pretty calm creek area on the side of the bridge away from the waterfall for this.
Don’t forget snacks and water!
Picnic At The Waterfall
The waterfall area at Crabtree Falls is an excellent spot for a picnic lunch. You can either opt to sit on the rocks near the waterfall or head away from the waterfall down the creek a bit.
There’s also a bench located on the bridge in front of the waterfall.
Plan to hang out for a bit! There is plenty to explore here and you can regain some energy before the hike back to the parking lot.
Speaking of, from here you can decide if you want to retrace your steps or continue on the loop back to the parking lot. Make sure to read our Crabtree Falls trail guide for details!
Anticipated time: 3-4 hours (especially with kids!) This includes the hike to and from the waterfall.
Explore A Charming Town
Next up: head to Little Switzerland, NC! It’s a small village just 10 minutes from the trailhead.
Here you’ll find ice cream, a small marketplace with snacks, a few gift shops, and even a restaurant with an epic view.
To get there, map yourself to The Swiss Shoppe. This is where you can get ice cream or packaged snacks. There are a few outdoor tables as well as a restroom right here.
You’ll find several shops located in this area as well as Switzerland Inn. Pop over and take in the views!
There’s a second area to explore just down the road. Here you’ll find a bookshop, a gallery, and an eatery. Map yourself to Switzerland Cafe to get here.
Anticipated time: plan to spend 1-1.5 hours in Little Switzerland
Enjoy A Scenic Roadtrip
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway back to Asheville
The next part of this itinerary is a leisurely drive back toward Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It’s over an hour away and is filled with jaw-dropping views and several points of interest along the way.
Anticipated time: 2+ hours with stops. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from The Swiss Shoppe to Asheville on the Parkway.
Points Of Interest On The Parkway
Mount Mitchell: the tallest mountain in North Carolina. You can take a short hike to the top or opt for a longer trail. There’s also a gift shop, museum and restaurant.
Craggy Gardens: easy trail to a meadow. There’s also a picnic area nearby and a visitor center with restrooms.
Craggy Pinnacle: short and steep trail with panoramic views at the top. Would be a great pick for a sunset hike!
Make Sure To Stay On The Parkway
Our recommendation is to first map yourself to a destination along the Parkway (ex. Craggy Gardens Visitor Cetner.) This will ensure your map app will direct you along the Parkway. Otherwise, you may get redirected for a shorter route.
Dinner In Asheville
We are certain you are ready to kick back with a great meal if your day follows this itinerary.
Our pick for dinner? Cheeseburgers from Baby Bull! Well, burgers, fries and a chocolate malt shake for the full experience.
Baby Bull is located in the River Arts District and has great outdoor seating. They also have easy online ordering if you are ready to return to basecamp.
Make sure to check our guide to takeout in Asheville or our list of the best restaurants in town for more inspiration.
