Montreat

Beyond the Stone Archway: Historic Living in Montreat

Nestled just east of Asheville next to Black Mountain, Montreat is a secluded and scenic town accessed through an iconic stone archway that is known for the conference center and Christian liberal arts college that call it home. Montreat is prized for its gorgeous setting (a majority of which is protected under a conservation easement) and 30-mile trail system.

Two of its most popular hiking trails are Graybeard Trail (our namesake) and Lookout Mountain Trail, both of which offer stunning panoramic views. Additional recreation in Montreat includes Lake Susan, where residents and guests alike can enjoy canoeing, paddle boating, and fishing during the summer months, and Robert Lake Park, a large family-friendly park with a playground and creek running through it.

Many of the homes in Montreat were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as summer cottages, offering ample space and timeless touches, though today there’s a blend of custom luxury homes and cabin-style homes constructed from native wood and stone. Nearly all of the unfurnished long-term rentals in Montreat are cozy studio or 1-bedroom apartments within larger historic homes or updated cottages with 2-3 bedrooms that primarily rent during the school year.