Posted By auntie on January 1, 2022

2.25 miles; 16 ft. total ascent; Asheville, NC

This post is a composite of many, many walks around this pretty suburban lake. I’m here at least once a week.

Beaver Lake is part private park, Lakeview Park, and part Audubon Bird Sanctuary. You can also rent boats and kayaks here in the summer.

The bird sanctuary part is tiny, only about 8 acres, and it really isn’t on the lake, per se, but in a wetland area at the eastern end, where there is also parking for maybe 30 or so cars, and is where the entrance to the boardwalk that goes through the wetland can be found. There are a couple of observation decks and a nice gazebo on the sanctuary, too. [Ed. note: see update, below]

The Perimeter Trail that circles the lake starts from the sanctuary parking lot as well. You will meet plenty of runners and walkers here. This is really what my friend Marjorie calls an “Easy Walk,” in that it’s basically flat and for the most part has very even footing. The stretch along the south shore is a little rooty, but it’s easily navigated. Lots of dog walkers, too, but I’ve never once seen any dogs off-leash. (Note: dogs are not allowed on the sanctuary part at all.)

I was fascinated by the pretty design at end of this cut log. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

There’s also the occasional bit of man-made art to be found, too.

And not for anything, but the weather here has been so kind that it has fooled these daffodils into poking above ground. I have a feeling that won’t last, tho.

You can find out more about Lakeview Park and the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary at the links at the beginning of this post. If you’re a Facebook user, check out my friend Marjorie’s Easy Walks page here. And as always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.

UPDATE: Wednesday, January 5, 2022, I visited the boardwalk loop in the Audubon sanctuary. It’s a 1/4-mile loop that is all boardwalk, with numerous benches and observation platforms. I have updated this post to reflect this. Word of warning, though, in cold weather the board walk gets a bit icy.

Categories: North Carolina, Walks and Hikes
Tags: 2–5 miles, Asheville NC, NC