The Lake Lure area has some of the most incredible hiking and biking opportunities in western North Carolina, and with the summer heat slowly cooling towards fall, there is no better time to get out on the trails and experience the true majesty of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. With our own Rumbling Bald Resort Trailhead opening onto the Buffalo Creek Park Trail System, Rumbling Bald Resort is the perfect home base for your hiking and biking adventures, and for first timers, or those wanting to explore some new trails, joining a hiking or biking group is a great way to discover new paths and even make some new friends along the way. The Lake Lure area boasts several such groups, and the following are just a few of our favorites.

Rutherford Outdoor Coalition. The ROC offers guided bikes and hikes throughout Rutherford County and nearby public lands, including game lands and preservation properties. The ROC also hosts the annual River Sweep cleanup of the Broad River corridor through the county, organizes the Rutherford Race Series, and hosts the annual Tour de Pumpkin 100k and 50k bicycle races. Find out more about the ROC’s at www.rutherfordoutdoor.org.

Asheville Hiking Group. Open to people and pets of all ages, the Asheville Hiking Group enjoys a little bit of everything, from quick, 3-4-hour hikes, to full day adventures, to overnight backpacking trips, the group organizes hikes for all ages and experience levels. There’s not membership required, and hike leaders are all volunteers. To learn more, join in the conversation, or donate to the help support the Asheville Hiking Group, please visit their Meetup Page at www.meetup.com/asheville-hiking/.

These are just two of the dozens of clubs, organizations, and conservation groups in the Lake Lure area that sponsor hikes, bikes, runs, races, and activities throughout western North Carolina. Members of these groups all share an abiding love of the outdoors and the incredibly beautiful place we at Rumbling Bald Resort are lucky enough to call home. To book your home base for hiking and biking at Rumbling Bald Resort, call 828-694-3015, or visit our website at www.rumblingbaldlodging.com.