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 2500 to 3900 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 Champion Hills

Champion Hills is one of the most sought-after gated golfing communities in the area. Nestled in the pristine splendor of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains in Hendersonville, residents enjoy a beautiful living experience that combines southern hospitality with a mountain lifestyle. At Champion Hills, you’ll find crystal-clear mountain streams and a top-rated Tom Fazio-designed golf course offering world-class play.

Like all the communities listed here, Champion Hills is located in a mild, four-season climate with temperate winters and cool mountain summers, Champion Hills experiences a vibrant spring and fall. Resplendent seasonal colors are a big draw for residents from points north and south. You’ll also get easy access to the arts, entertainment, sports, and the fantastic healthcare of the Hendersonville, Asheville, and Greenville regions.

Residents here enjoy a lifestyle that offers the best of both worlds: a sense of solitude and quiet, along with an active social life. A fully-equipped fitness and wellness center, tennis courts, and championship golf course are just the beginning. Champion Hills plays host to many events throughout the year, such as wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and holiday gatherings.

Over 17 miles of marked trails provide ample opportunities for nature walks and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Champion Hills was voted 2017’s Best Hiking Community of the Year by Real Estate Scorecard. Love tennis? Champion Hills offers multiple tennis programs—perfect for any skill level. The community offers a variety of other clubs and groups to suit your interests, including local hiking groups, bridge clubs, and sports car enthusiasts.

Champion Hills is also the perfect place to live for those looking to be active in the community. Many residents are engaged in volunteer initiatives supporting organizations such as the Brevard Music Center, the American Red Cross, the Community Foundation of Henderson County, the Boys & Girls Club, and our own Back-To-School drive and Employee Scholarship Fund.

No matter what you’re seeking in a full-time residence or seasonal retreat, Champion Hills offers attractive homes in a range of styles and sizes—each thoughtfully crafted for elegant living.

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 2300 to 3300 feet.