Old Fort sits right where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the foothills, about 25 minutes east of Asheville off I-40. It’s a small town with a big backyard: new trails built for every skill level, one of the prettiest waterfalls in Western North Carolina and a riverside bike park with food and cold drinks waiting at the end of the day.

November and December are an easy time to enjoy all of it. The summer crowds are gone, the leaves are down so you can see farther through the woods and the town gets ready for Christmas with a hometown parade and a holiday market full of local artists. Here’s why late fall and the holidays are a good time to come explore Old Fort.

Hit the Trails: The Old Fort Gateway Trails

Old Fort is known as one of North Carolina’s newest trail towns, and the G5 Trail Collective is a big reason why. This local nonprofit, part of Camp Grier, works with the U.S. Forest Service to build and care for trails in the Pisgah National Forest around town.

The Old Fort Gateway Trails are the place to start. The system is made of stacked loops, so you can ride or hike a short, easy loop and add on more as you feel ready. It was built on purpose to welcome beginners, which is rare in these mountains. About 14 miles of trail are open now, with plans to grow to 42 miles. The trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners, and some to horses.

Cool, dry fall days are some of the best riding of the year. With the leaves down, you’ll also get views through the trees you can’t see in summer.

For trail maps, parking and which loops to try first, see our G5 Trails guide.

Good to know: Storm repair work is still going on in parts of the forest, so check the G5 Trail Collective for current trail status before you head out.

Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls is one of the most loved hikes in the area, and it’s just a few minutes from downtown. The trail follows the headwaters of the Catawba River past old stone remains of a 1920s dam that once powered the town.

The walk to the lower falls is easy and great for families and leashed dogs. If you want more of a workout, keep going up the new staircase, about 580 steps with three overlooks and a 60-foot observation tower, to reach the upper falls. You can loop back to the parking lot on the Catawba Falls Ridge Trail for a total of about 3.5 miles.

The upper viewing platform and the Wildflower Trail were closed after Hurricane Helene, so check the Forest Service page for the latest before you go.

How to get there: Take I-40 to Exit 73, turn onto Catawba River Road and follow it about three miles to the parking lot at the end. Weekdays are quieter, and the lot can fill up fast on nice weekends.

Foothills Watershed

Just two miles downstream from Catawba Falls, Foothills Watershed is a 117-acre riverside park that’s part bike park, part brewery and part backyard hangout. It’s run by the same folks behind Foothills Butcher Shop and Foothills Grange in Black Mountain.

Riders can try the bike trails, the big dirt pump track or the dirt jumps, and little ones can roll around the tot track on balance bikes. Everyone else can pull up a chair along the river, warm up by the fire and grab barbecue and a local beer.

The bar and kitchen are open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the bike trails are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until dusk. They’re closed Monday and Tuesday.

Catawba Falls in the morning, Foothills Watershed in the afternoon, and you’ve got a great Old Fort day.

Learn more on our Foothills Watershed page.

Downtown Old Fort for the Holidays

Old Fort’s downtown is small and easy to walk, with galleries, coffee and local shops along Catawba Avenue and Main Street. Stop in at Arrowhead Gallery & Studios to see local artists at work, follow the Seven Wonders Mural Trail around town and find a place to eat on our Food & Brew page. For more on the town’s story, see Arts, Heritage & Culture.

Holiday Bazaar

The Holiday Bazaar at 78 Catawba Avenue is open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., with gifts from more than 15 Western North Carolina artists. It runs into December, so it’s a good stop any weekend you’re in town.

Old Fort Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 5 at 5 p.m.

The Old Fort Christmas Parade rolls down Main Street at 5 p.m. It’s a true hometown parade with local churches, first responders, businesses and community groups, and of course Santa. Bring a chair, find your spot along the route and get ready to catch some candy.

Mountain Gateway Museum

The Mountain Gateway Museum tells the story of the people who settled these mountains. After Helene damaged its original building, the museum moved to 78-C Catawba Avenue. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shop Small and Local for Holiday Gifts

When you buy a gift in Old Fort, you’re buying from a neighbor. Most shops here are locally owned, many by the same folks who make what’s on the shelves, and every dollar you spend helps a small mountain town that’s still rebuilding after Helene. It also makes for a gift with a story behind it.

Find local shops, galleries and makers for everyone on your list on our Businesses page.

A Short Drive to Black Mountain

Black Mountain is about 15 minutes west of Old Fort, and the first weekend of December is a big one there.

• Holly Jolly, Friday, December 4. Starting at 5 p.m., downtown shops stay open late, with carolers, cocoa and Santa for the kids.
• Black Mountain Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 5 at 4 p.m. Floats and marching bands head down State Street. Since the Old Fort parade starts at 5 p.m. the same day, pick one, or catch the start in Black Mountain and leave a little early for Old Fort.
• Deck the Trees, December 4 through January 1. Vote for your favorite decorated trees in shops across Black Mountain and Swannanoa. Every dollar helps local families heat their homes.
• Saddle & Song Country Music Festival, Saturday, November 14. Live country music and line dancing at White Horse Black Mountain.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Check trail status first. Storm repairs are still going on in the forest. Check the G5 Trail Collective and the Forest Service before you go.
• Start early. Days are short in November and December, and it gets dark in the woods sooner than you think.
• Plan around Monday and Tuesday. Foothills Watershed is closed both days, so save it for later in the week.
• Dress in layers. Mornings can be cold, afternoons warm up fast on the trail and it gets chilly again once the sun goes down.
• Stop by the visitor center. The Old Fort visitor center at 91 South Catawba Avenue can help with maps and trail updates.
• Book a place to stay. Find cabins, rentals and inns on our Stay page, and see more local shops on our Businesses page.

Whether you come for the trails, the falls or the parade, you’ll find a small mountain town that’s glad you came. For everything happening around town, check our Local Events page and sign up for our events newsletter. We hope to see you in Old Fort.