Situated in a landscape where nature and history seamlessly merge, Western North Carolina holds nature’s offer and cultural abundance. It is as if the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains are making tales to the east and the west and the air sapid with pine and the resonance of falling water. There are accessible treasures here, including headlands that offer an inspiring tableau for sunrise and sunset and void valleys that are filled with flowers every spring.
There are calls for adventure at every angle – from hiking through lush forests and exploring mysterious caves to challenging yourself on the white waters of untamed rivers, there are endless things to do. Yet it’s not just the wild that calls – the mountains thrive with the soul of Appalachian culture. From lively music and paintings to casual dining to local artisans whose hands breathe soul into every piece, you are truly experiencing a culture.
The surrounding farms and natural areas tell a story with each meal. Find your quiet place or your community, but most importantly, find yourself in Western North Carolina. Thus, you are not a visitor. Instead, you are part of an ancient drama that is still unfolding, a sensitive artist finding a chunk of clay and placing his inscription on the tapestry of what WNC is.
Map of Western North Carolina
List of Western North Carolina Counties
There are a total of 28 counties in Western North Carolina, as mentioned below:
- Cherokee
- Graham
- Clay
- Macon
- Swain
– The 9 Best Things to Do in Cherokee, NC
– 12 Best Hikes Near Cherokee, NC (+ How Far They Are)
– 9 Must Visit Waterfalls Near Cherokee, NC (+ How Far They Are)
– Discover These 4 Fascinating Museums in Cherokee, NC (w/Map)
– 10 Best & Must Visit brunch spots in Cherokee, NC
– 8 Best Places to Eat Ice Cream in Cherokee, NC
– Ultimate Guide to Visiting Clingmans Dome
– How to Hike to Shuckstack Fire Tower
– Ultimate Guide to Visiting Deep Creek, Bryson City
– Top 7 Things to Do in Bryson City, NC
– Hiking Guide Twenty Mile Loop Trail - Jackson
- Haywood
– How to Hike to an Airplane Crash – Waterrock Knob - Transylvania
- Henderson
- Buncombe
– 12 Breathtaking Hikes Near Asheville, NC
– 50+ Fun Things To Do in Asheville, NC (MUST DOs)
– 31 Date Ideas in Asheville, NC, to Spice Up Your Love Life
– Top 15 Brunch Spots in Asheville that Await Your Palate!
– 18 Fantastic Breakfast Spots in Asheville, NC For A Delicious Morning - Madison
- Yancey
- Mcdowell
- Rutherford
- Polk
- Cleveland
- Burke
- Mitchell
- Avery
- Watauga
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Lincoln
- Gaston
- Ashe
- Alleghany
- Wilkes
- Alexander