Our last run for the fall trail series with Fleet Feet AVL started at their retail store in Biltmore Park. Seems fitting that an Asheville running store is literally less than a mile from one of the best trail-webs in the country: The Mountains to Sea Trail.

This is a fraction of the 71.4 mile Segment Three: High Peaks and Asheville on the MST. From Fleet Feet in Biltmore Park just south of Asheville, it’s about a mile out to the connector trail that catches the MST. We did this as a total 5.5 mile out and back from the store, so we were on the trail for about 3.5 miles.

I’ve done other sections of the MST, as it runs really close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s really easy to catch parts of it here and there, and every section really varies depending on where you’re running and what the elevation is. This is a very runnable section with just enough ups and downs each way to make it a great workout. While the run is spectacular, and the section is beautiful – there aren’t any views or amenities along the way. Even so, it’s one of my favorite runs now and I could recommend to a new trail runner, especially if you’re nervous about running alone. You always feel close enough to the road or residential neighborhoods to feel really safe.