Home › North Carolina › Asheville › Hard Times Trailhead
Hard Times Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 391 Google reviews · Running trail in Asheville, North Carolina · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 6.3 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Hard Times Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid-friendly hiking area with many trails for mountain biking and walking, plus an arboretum and a lake.
What runners say about Hard Times Trailhead
“My wife and I did this hike almost at peak color in the Asheville area (10/24/2020) and it is a truly stunning experience!”
“Is a lot to see and good for all ages.”
I have hiked parts of the trail but never the whole loop at one time until today. It isa great loop to hike. It even has a hidden waterfall right off the trail maybe 20 feet. Not sure if it is a seasonal waterfall as it rains or permanent . the trail runs by the creek for half the hike. Then back country for the rest.
Great trail- took the flat bent creek road from the trailhead parking lot, turning left. 2 miles of flat and then moderately steep consistent climb to the top where the trail meets up with the parkway. Nice views with no leaves on the trees. Gentle descent back to the parking lot.
We hiked here while visiting the area, and enjoyed a really great 7 miles around these trails. Even pre-spring it was a fun and pretty hike, and I can see how it could be the type of spot where you could change up your hike each time and always see something different.
Good place to walk, run or bike from. And a good place to bird. On a walk you can go through woods, streams, Lake Powhatan, brush, and mountan wetland habitats
Trail conditions & character
“My wife and I did this hike almost at peak color in the Asheville area (10/24/2020) and it is a truly stunning experience!”
“Early path from parking lot is wide and well cleared so almost everyone could probably make it the .”
“I am a beginner mountain biker and the pine tree loop was pretty technical and narrow, but the views were lovely and the trail was hardly crowded.”
“I am a beginner mountain biker and the pine tree loop was pretty technical and narrow, but the views were lovely and the trail was hardly crowded.”
“Much of it is flat but there are break off paths like we took with one step stair section as an option.”
“2 miles of flat and then moderately steep consistent climb to the top where the trail meets up with the parkway.”
“25 mile to the creek, but some sections have lots of roots and rocks to go over which is enjoyable if you are able bodied.”
“Good spot to go trail running or gravel riding on the long fire roads.”
Plan your run at Hard Times Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance6.3 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteexploreasheville.com
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Asheville
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rice Pinnacle Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 105 reviews
Hiking area with a public restroom that's also popular with mountain bikers.
Bent Creek trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 174 reviews
Many of the trails in this area are for both hikers and bikers.
The North Carolina Arboretum
4.8 ★★★★★ 8,179 reviews
Arboretum in a forest with mountain views, gardens & a bonsai exhibit, plus hiking & biking paths.
Hominy Creek Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 62 reviews
Park featuring kid-friendly hiking trails, plus a creek where visitors can play.