The Asheville Camino

The WNC Chapter of American Pilgrims on the Camino is a very active group.  In an effort to create a local example of The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, a 17-mile route has been established in Asheville - the Asheville Camino.  Today, my wife Janice, my sister Priscilla, and I joined Danny Bernstein, Mark Cobb and Rob in walking the AVL Camino.  In addition to walking the route, Danny was recording turn-by-turn directions so others can follow the route through downtown Asheville and surrounding neighborhoods.  Like the Camino in Spain, not all the AVL Camino is on city streets. As you will see in the description below, part of the route follows greenways and quiet streets through neighborhoods.  Also like the Camino, the route passes by coffee shops, restaurants and other eateries.

First, an overview of the route that begins and ends at the Asheville Visitor Center on Montford Road and I-240.  As the map shows, there are two loops that join to make a meandering 17-mile walk.  The route is relatively flat along and near the French Broad River, but the second loop climbs about 1,000 feet from the area near the hospitals to downtown.  

The AVL Camino makes a large loop south and west of downtown, then returns to downtown via the smaller loop.

From the Visitor Center a one-mile walk down Haywood St. and Clingman Ave. brings you to the River Arts District and views across the French Broad River and the New Belgium Brewery.  Another mile takes you across the French Broad and on the French Broad River Greenway.

Entering the RAD.

New Belgium Brewery across the French Broad River.

Entrance to the greenway.

On the greenway.

The next few miles were along the French Broad River Greenway, partly paved and partly unpaved as we made our way along the river.  The greenway connects two parks, the French Broad River Park and Carrier Park.  As the greenway continues, the park merges with the old Asheville Speedway on Amboy Road.  Near there we found Edna's, a great stop for coffee or tea at about the 4 mile mark.  Like the Camino, places that offer food and drink are popular.

Edna's for coffee. 

Wall art at Edna's.

Memorial to bygone days.

Asheville Camino peregrinos on the French Broad River Greenway.

At mile 6 we reached the end of the greenway and began walking on Hominy Creek Road, passing under the overpasses of I-40, Brevard Road, and I-240.  At Brevard Road there was a good example of older and newer infrastructure.  The Brevard Road overpass was high above an older bridge that once carried traffic over Hominy Creek.  You see both bridges in the photo below.

Older and newer infrasturcture.

The next mile was on the Hominy Creek Greenway along the creek.  This greenway is unpaved and was muddy in places.  At the end of the greenway we climbed along some residential streets in the Malvern Hills neighborhood.  The houses were a mix of older homes and new ones.  Several homes were updated with new facades, siding and trim work.  Another mile brought us to Haywood Road, the main thoroughfare through trendy West Asheville with its shops, restaurants, and coffee shops. It was almost lunchtime, but we pressed on to get back to the River Arts District where we planned to eat.

After 11 miles from the start, we were back in the RAD and ready to eat lunch at White Duck Tacos.  Fish tacos and chips & salsa hit the spot.  

As we finished lunch the rain began to fall.  We got our rain gear and continued on, knowing the biggest climbs were ahead.  Our walk took us by Mission Hospital and then a steep climb up Beaucatcher Mountain.  Downtown Asheville came into view as we neared the top.

City Hall and Buncombe County Building through the trees.

We descended into town and soon were on Pack Square.  Knowing we were within a mile or so of the end we stopped by French Broad Chocolate Lounge for a sweet snack.

Asheville City Hall

Sweet treat.

At mile 16 we reached the Basilica of St. Lawrence, a fitting last stop on the AVL Camino.  The basilica is an architectural gem.  

The Basilica

Short walk brought us back to the visitor center.  The final stats were 16.9 miles, 1,500 ft. of elevation gain and just over 8 hours of walking.  Not bad considering stops for coffee, lunch, and dessert.

The AVL Camino is a good mix of city streets, greenways, and interesting neighborhoods.  Once directions are finalized, it will be another way to see the city and its environs and to get a feel for what it is like to walk the Camino, if only for one day.