Biltmore Estate Trails
By Joanne O'Sullivan
Biltmore Estate Trails Details
Difficulty: Easy Moderate
Length: 1.7 to 6 miles round-trip
Region: Biltmore
Duration of hike: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours each way
Elevation gain: 233 Feet
Type: Loop
Blazes:
Facilities & Parking: Parking lot; bathroom facilities at Antler Hill Village or Biltmore House
Features: Pet Friendly, Views, Kid Friendly
Directions to Trail Head | Open in Google maps
A legendary landscape, a variety of hikes
With 8,000 acres of nearly intact Western North Carolina landscape, the grounds at Biltmore are equally as grand as the famed house. The roughly 22 miles of trails here run through meadows with stunning views of the French Broad River and along the river itself and past the estate’s agricultural fields. The majority of the terrain is flat and easy enough for young kids to hike, plus picnicking is allowed in the Lagoon area.
360 View - Lagoon Trail
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LEAVE NO TRACE TIP
There are 22 miles of trails in Biltmore's "backyard." Please utilize the trash receptacles on the Estate to help keep it as pristine as when George Vanderbilt lived there long ago.
What To Expect
Biltmore’s trails are accessible to those who have either an annual pass or ticket. Once you’re on the estate, you can choose to start your hike from the house, the Lagoon, the Bass Pond, the Inn or the area near Antler Hill Village. Possibly the best option is to pick up a trail map from the Outdoor Center at Antler Hill Village.
Deerpark Trail can be accessed by the wrought-iron gate at the end of the South Terrace of the house, from the Bass Pond area, or from the Lagoon. If you start from the South Terrace, cross the open field to a gorgeous viewpoint over the French Broad River and descend to the Lagoon (1.3 miles total). From here, you can pick up the flat Lagoon Trail, a 3-mile paved trail along the river that’s shared with bikers. It’s possible to pick up the 1.5-mile gravel Farm Trail at the end of the Lagoon Trail. The Farm Trail runs from a wooded area along the river into an area surrounded by the estate’s agricultural fields. At its end, you can access the Arbor Trace Trail, a 1.5-trail through a wooded area near the estate’s Market Gardener’s Cottage. The trail emerges from the woods at points along the way to provide views of the agricultural fields. This is an in-and-out option.
Once you’re in Antler Hill Village, you also have the option of doing the three Westover trails which you can access from the area near the Bike Barn or from the Inn on Biltmore Estate. The Green trail starts with a gravel road that runs by open fields and up into a wooded area near the estate’s Brooder House where young chicks are hatched. The Black (3.5 mile-loop) and Blue (2.8-mile loop) trails lead into a wooded area behind the Inn.
Directions
From downtown Asheville, take Biltmore Avenue south toward Biltmore Village. Turn right at the McDonald’s, onto Lodge Street and into the estate. Follow the signage to Antler Hill Village and stop at the Outdoor Center for a map of all trails on the estate.
GPS Coordinates
35.541097, -82.564117
We all love the Blue Ridge Mountains! By working together, we can keep these incredible outdoor spaces beautiful and pristine for years to come. Make it your nature to Leave No Trace: Leave what you find, pack out what you pack in, stay on designated trails and plan ahead. To learn more about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, CLICK HERE >>.