Taste Nolichucky Whitewater
Nestled away in a spectacular gorge along the Tennessee border, the Nolichucky gets less traffic than other rivers in the region. But don't let that fool you. Unlike many of its southeastern cousins, where controlled-release schedules make river levels predictable, Nolichucky whitewater is all natural. You'll find the prime runs on the upper sections, starting in Poplar, North Carolina. Stretches of Class III and IV water extend some 30 miles into Tennessee, with enough drops, holes, and chutes to satisfy the most discriminating masochist. Further down, the river quiets down to some Class II that's great for canoeing.

More on the Nolichucky River

Mountain Bike Sweet Singletrack
The North Carolina Outward Bound School doesn't lead its mountain-biking courses in the Pisgah for nothing. To be sure, the terrain offers enough variation and technical challenge to suit all abilities. Even better, you'll need all your navigational skills to avoid losing yourself on a seemingly endless trail network. North of Asheville, the rugged, remote Staire Creek route climbs and drops past waterfalls, streams, and a cave. To the southwest, the Black Mountain (a.k.a. Clawhammer) route attracts hardcore enthusiasts with a four-mile, 1900-foot technical downhill.

Move on to Trail Finder: Pisgah National Forest

Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway
A winding two-lane highway climbs through the forest. Autumnal scarlets and flaming oranges blaze past on either side. Suddenly the trees break; the road turns sharply, but the shocking beauty of the peaks stretching into the haze distracts you. At the last second, you realize only a small wooden rail stands between you and a thousand-foot drop into the valley below. You've just learned the cardinal lesson of the Blue Ridge Parkway: like a siren, its beauty will seduce you, but to give in means only certain doom. In other words: it's hard, but keep your eyes on the road.