A Complete Guide to the Top Gated North Carolina Mountain Communities Near Asheville

About The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is a private community in the western North Carolina mountains, abutting the Blue Ridge Parkway and close to downtown Asheville. This breathtaking community includes a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course set within a rich landscape of cultivated gardens and preserved woodlands, with convenient access to many outdoor activities from hiking to kayaking. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is among the most coveted gated golf communities in western North Carolina, offering elevated living integrated closely with nature.

Residents have access to all the best things about living in western North Carolina: fine dining in areas like Asheville and Hendersonville, entertainment venues like the Biltmore Estate and Flat Rock Playhouse, arts and crafts culture in Black Mountain and Weaverville, outdoor recreation like hiking at DuPont State Forest and kayaking on the French Broad River.

The community is located on thousands of acres of land within easy reach of Turtleback Falls Preserve—a 715-acre area that adjoins The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. The preserve features hiking trails boasting views of surrounding mountains, valleys, and waterfalls. Residents here enjoy peaceful, active living just a short drive from Asheville. The Cliffs communities were ranked among Golf Magazine’s 25 Best Golf Communities in North America. Residents enjoy a unique, active luxury lifestyle with all the amenities of a premier private golf community.

From single-family homes to townhomes to lots and acreage, there are many options available within The Cliffs at Walnut Cove community.

Looking to build your dream home in the North Carolina mountains? Walnut Cove Realty’s Luxury Spec Home Program combines the speed and convenience of buying a home with the freedom of customization afforded by building. It’s essentially the best of both worlds, without the worst of either.

We partner with trusted builders and residents of select communities within The Cliffs at Walnut Cove and The Ramble to fund the design and construction of new luxury homes with popular features and much shorter build times. Luxury home buyers looking to build don’t have to spend months closing on a lot, planning from scratch with designers, and waiting even longer for the build.

If you're looking for a home in the western North Carolina mountains, Walnut Cove is an ideal choice. Come visit us and see our gorgeous luxury homes, amenities, and community for yourself!

About Southcliff

Southcliff is a 400-acre private mountain conservation community located on the south slope of Cedar Cliff Mountain, only a few miles from Asheville's downtown. This coveted community offers the sought-after combination of elegant, accessible mountain living, natural beauty, and a feeling of community, with home altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 3,900 feet and 165 acres of open community space across its fully gated private neighborhoods.

Southcliff is home to six miles of hiking paths that traverse its neighborhoods and connect its residents.  These routes take you through parks, pavilions, and vistas—bringing the natural splendor of western North Carolina only minutes from your front door. Aside from the picturesque paths in Southcliff, the greater Asheville area offers up stunning scenery from the tallest ridgelines east of the Mississippi River. Natural vegetation and poplar groves frame neighborhood parks.

Southcliff’s amenities harmonize residents and their families with nature while fostering a strong sense of community. These amenities are available to all residents and are accessible to every lot owner, including trails with scenic overlooks, covered pavilions, playgrounds, and parks. Southcliff has a fully staffed gatehouse that provides security for the entire community, and an on-site sales lodge with a dedicated real estate team.

About The Ramble

The Ramble Biltmore Forest is a gated community in Asheville, North Carolina, set in the woodlands of Ducker Mountain and bordered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. Biltmore Farms designed The Ramble to be an active and friendly private community, complete with a wellness center, parks and trails, and community activities. As a master-planned community, The Ramble offers plentiful preserved open spaces connected by an extensive network of trails that enable residents to explore the mountains of Western North Carolina.

The Ramble's acreage was initially owned by George W. Vanderbilt, owner of the renowned Biltmore Estate, and was a favorite strolling spot of his. The community was closely modeled after the design and conservation concepts utilized by architect Frederick Law Olmsted, conceptually mimicking his work in New York Central Park. The exclusive master-planned community will have more than 500 houses when fully completed, with much of the space dedicated to a fantastic network of parks, trails, and common areas. Hiking and walking trails wind their way around the community, allowing homeowners to experience nature right within the gates.

Every home in The Ramble is no more than a few minutes' walk to a park, trail, or the Living Well Center. Luxury homes are available for sale as well as homesites for custom home building. Its featured builders are some of western North Carolina's most experienced specialists, ready to help you design a bespoke home that artistically represents your ideas.

The Ramble is just a few miles from downtown Asheville. Residents also enjoy direct access to Biltmore Park Town Square's stores, restaurants, and entertainment through a private south gate. The Ramble offers handcrafted homes nestled in thousands of acres of curated forest in Asheville’s most unique private luxury community.

About High Vista

Nestled in the scenic Mills River area between Asheville and Hendersonville, NC, the High Vista gated community unfolds over 500 acres of undulating hills and lush forests adorned with azaleas and mountain laurel. This idyllic enclave features 350 homes and homesites perched at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 3,200 feet. Residents enjoy breathtaking vistas of the encompassing mountains or the gently undulating fairways of the community's golf course, all conveniently located a mere six miles from the airport.

Moreover, by becoming a member of the POA, also known as High Vista's Amenities Association, you gain privileged access to an array of exclusive amenities, from a swimming pool and clubhouse, to tennis courts and the cozy Robinson’s Pub. However, those who cherish the security and tranquility of a gated community but don't care to indulge in these additional luxuries can opt out of membership.

About Poplar Ridge

Poplar Ridge is an established gated development just off Pinners Grove featuring an intimate 250+ acres. A favorite of year-round residents, it offers both traditional mountain homes and land for new builds. Its deep wooded lots nestled into forested hills, mountain views, and proximity to downtown make it an attractive location for nature-seekers, with properties featuring elevations from 2,300 to 3,300 feet.

About Kenmure

Located in Flat Rock, NC, Kenmure is a gated golf community set amidst the lush scenery of the mountains with easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Spanning 1,400 acres, it provides a variety of housing options and homesites within an established neighborhood setting.

Often referred to as the "Little Charleston of the Mountains," Flat Rock's heritage stretches back to the 18th century. It became a summer retreat for South Carolina estate owners who built English-style summer homes to avoid the heat. Present-day Flat Rock retains its allure, featuring art studios and distinctive specialty stores. The entire area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kenmure Country Club members have access to an array of facilities, including an 18-hole championship golf course, an indoor heated saline pool with steam saunas, an outdoor heated pool, tennis courts, a well-appointed fitness center, and dining venues ranging from a formal dining room to a casual grill and banquet venue. It is also a hub for social activities, featuring various clubs and an active community association.

The Flat Rock Playhouse, recognized as North Carolina's State Theater, stands at the core of Flat Rock. Its esteemed professional theater group is celebrated for outstanding productions and educational programs. With performances from April to December, it attracts over 88,000 attendees annually, offering a repertoire that includes Broadway musicals, dramas, comedies, and children's theater.

About Balsam Mountain Preserve

Once logging and mining land, the area has been transformed into a picturesque "human settlement within a park," seamlessly blending wild mountain allure with upscale living.

While golf remains a prominent attraction, Balsam Mountain Preserve caters to a range of interests with its array of amenities. Residents can indulge in exquisite dining and wine at the clubhouse, stay fit at the wellness center, engage neighbors in tennis matches, indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment, or embark on camping and hiking adventures across the expansive 3,200-acre preserve. Moreover, a nature center and resident naturalists offer enriching experiences to connect with the environment.

A standout feature is the community's equestrian center, boasting club horses, comprehensive boarding facilities, and a serene lounge area for unwinding post-ride. Extending from the center are 42 miles of trails waiting to be explored on horseback, while novices can benefit from lessons, camps, and various other equine programs.

About Connestee Falls

Residents can enjoy a meal or unwind at the 26,000 square foot clubhouse before or after a round of golf at the community's championship course. With indoor and al fresco dining options, the clubhouse is not just a place to eat but a vibrant community hub. Well-appointed with a dance floor, lounge, banquet spaces, meeting rooms, and a wellness center, there's bound to be something going on at the club.

Connestee Falls is a community generously endowed with natural beauty. It boasts an impressive 20-mile network of lush, forested hiking trails that meander past serene creeks, picturesque waterfalls, and tranquil lakeshore. Anglers and water enthusiasts will be delighted by the community's four well-stocked lakes teeming with a variety of fish species such as bass, bluegill, and trout. Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy the community's parks and scenic overlooks, offering everything from lakeside picnic spots with grills and playgrounds to a dedicated dog park. For those with a green thumb, the community organic gardens offer raised beds perfect for growing fresh veggies and herbs.

Additionally, the community provides robust outlets for pickleball, tennis, and bocceball, including a full pickleball facility that includes six newly resurfaced courts, four ClayTech tennis courts open year round, two bocceball courts, and groups to play with. Plus, group fitness classes or personal training at the wellness center offer yet more ways to stay healthy and strong.

About Mountain Air

Many are drawn to Mountain Air by its 2,875-foot private runway, allowing residents to come and go as they please. But this mountaintop retreat offers much more. At the heart of Mountain Air is the Slickrock Village Green, home to the clubhouse and golf pro shop; a deli that doubles as both grocery store and pub; postal station; Orville and Wilbur's location; amphitheater; nature center; and a well-appointed family center. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts are treated to mountaintop Har-Tru tennis courts and a pickleball court. Prefer forest bathing to sports? Nature lovers can explore the community's six parks and extensive trail network, including platforms for practicing yoga. Additionally, the 4,500-square-foot wellness center offers locker rooms, a spa, and a variety of programs to help residents achieve their fitness goals.