Western North Carolina’s luxury-home market keeps expanding, and with it the roster of master-planned villages that promise golf-course living, conservation acreage, walkable town squares or miles of private trails. For buyers, the choice can feel dizzying. This guide simplifies everything.
North Carolina continues to attract discerning buyers from across the country seeking the perfect balance of natural beauty, luxury amenities, and strong long-term value. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the western piedmont, the state offers a diverse mix of gated and master-planned communities—each with its own pace, personality, and perks. Some centers focus on golf and wellness, while others emphasize conservation, family-friendly design, or vibrant town centers. But with so many choices, the search can quickly become overwhelming.
This guide simplifies the process. Curated by the local experts at Walnut Cove Realty, it highlights the top-performing and most frequently requested communities in our network. Every profile includes the features that matter most: homes and homesite price ranges, club and community amenities, lifestyle insights, and candid broker notes.
Use the table of contents to explore a specific community or scroll through to compare them side by side. And when you’re ready to take the next step—whether that’s a discovery visit, a custom home search, or just a call to talk through options—we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Let’s find the master-planned community that feels like home.
Table of Contents
1. The Cliffs at Walnut Cove — Arden
3. The Ramble Biltmore Forest — South Asheville
6. Biltmore Park — South Asheville
7. Champion Hills — Hendersonville
9. Balsam Mountain Preserve — Sylva
A Tudor-style clubhouse anchors “Golf Village,” complete with men’s and women’s locker suites, wine lockers, a farm-to-table tavern, a pro shop, and the Turnhouse Pavilion for quick bites between nines. Just uphill, an 18,000-square-foot Wellness Center adds indoor/outdoor pools, tennis court, cardio and strength zones, yoga–Pilates studios, massage rooms and a packed calendar of group classes.
Miles of private hiking trails snake past waterfalls, trout ponds and wild-flower meadows before tying into the adjoining 715-acre Turtleback Falls Preserve. Creekside Farm, the on-site 60-acre CSA, supplies produce, eggs and honey to both Walnut Cove chefs and member pantry subscriptions. Housing spans townhomes, cottages, custom estates, and view lots; the Walnut Cove Realty Luxury Spec Home Program lets buyers shortcut the ground-up build timeline while still adding personal touches.
Prices generally range from $1 million to well over $5 million for finished homes and from roughly $150k to $2 million-plus for homesites. Social life is equally robust—member-run groups cover everything from bowling and bridge to fly-fishing and mah-jong—yet the gated entrances, lush landscaping and strict architectural guidelines maintain an unmistakable sense of privacy and prestige.
Five-star golf resort meets national-park scenery only eleven miles from downtown Asheville.
Explore current homes for sale in The Cliffs at Walnut Cove »
Set on the south face of Cedar Cliff Mountain, Southcliff blends authentic wilderness with easy city reach: the main gatehouse is just 8.5 miles from Asheville’s galleries, breweries and live-music venues, yet inside the gates you’re immersed in 400 acres of hardwood forest.
Elevations from 2,500 to 3,900 feet produce cool summer breezes and big-sky vistas. Conservation sits at the core of the master plan—165 acres are permanently reserved as community open space, and every building envelope is oriented to protect native flora. Six miles of private, rustic trails connect six neighborhood parks, a grand pavilion with an outdoor fireplace, multiple smaller fire-pit overlooks, picnic lawns and children’s playgrounds.
Residents often gather at dusk for s’mores while the sun drops behind layered mountain ridges. The Blue Ridge Parkway lies 3.5 miles away for even broader hiking and cycling options, and Lake Lure, DuPont State Forest and a dozen trout streams sit within a 45-minute radius. Homes emphasize natural materials—stone, cedar and glass—and lots vary from low-maintenance cottage parcels to multi-acre view estates.
For buyers who want a true mountain setting without sacrificing airport access (13.5 miles) or hospital proximity (8 miles to Mission), Southcliff checks every box.
Conservation-minded mountain living with six miles of private trails and long-range views, eight minutes from Asheville’s coffee shops.
Explore current homes for sale in Southcliff »
More than 23 miles of sidewalks and natural-surface paths lace through pocket parks, meadows and towering oaks, yet downtown Asheville and Mission Hospital are only six miles away. Residents converge at the 16,000-square-foot Living Well Center: a heated saline pool, well-equipped gym, group-cycle room, demonstration kitchen and fireside great room—even lighted tennis and pickleball courts just outside.
Concerts, food-truck Fridays and art fairs fill Longmeadow Park, while a private south gate opens to Biltmore Park Town Square’s boutiques, Whole Foods, YMCA and stadium-seat cinema. Strict architectural guidelines preserve a cohesive streetscape—think timeless stone, shingle, and board-and-batten in earthy palettes—yet homes range widely in size, from right-sized cottages to multi-wing estates topping $5 million. Homesites begin around $250k and run north of $2 million for rare ridge parcels.
For those who crave mature forest plus true neighborhood energy (and some of Asheville’s best tennis at neighboring Asheville Racquet Club), The Ramble delivers a best-of-both-worlds experience.
Olmsted-inspired parks and miles of sidewalks moments from Biltmore Park Town Square.
Explore current homes for sale in The Ramble »
The resort is located near the Pigeon River and Blue Ridge Parkway, 20 minutes from Waynesville, and around 40 minutes from Asheville.Springdale Resort, a luxurious retreat nestled on over 400 acres of former farmland at the base of Cold Mountain, offers an exceptional blend of rustic mountain charm and upscale amenities. The resort boasts an 18-hole championship golf course (par 72, 6,969 yards) and a variety of dining options, including the Rocky Face Tavern, a 2023 Golden Fork Award recipient serving upscale-casual Southern-inspired cuisine, and the Village Grill for convenient on-course dining. Guests can also enjoy a heated pool, hot tub, and fitness center.
Springdale Country Club and Estates, the resort's year-round subdivision, features luxury homes and homesites surrounded by the breathtaking Appalachian Highlands. The resort's prime location offers easy access to the Pigeon River and Blue Ridge Parkway, and is just 20 minutes from Waynesville and approximately 40 minutes from Asheville.
Inter-generational private resort community centered around a stunning mountain golf course serving Southern hospitality.
Explore current homes for sale in Springdale »
Private mountaintop community offering scenic views, where homes are nestled amidst the area's natural splendor.
Explore current homes for sale in Avalon »
Steps away, residential options fan out in concentric rings: sleek condos above retail, brownstone-style townhomes, Craftsman cottages on tree-lined lanes, and executive estates on quiet cul-de-sacs. Community greenways link playgrounds, pocket parks and a tennis-fitness complex while also feeding into the Blue Ridge Parkway three miles east.
The historic Biltmore Estate is close enough for weekly morning walks, and AVL Airport is a straight 4.5-mile shot down I-26. Sustainability principles—such as reduced traffic, mixed-use zoning, and energy-conscious construction—guide ongoing development, making Biltmore Park a magnet for buyers who want city conveniences without the downtown congestion.
Walkable town-square living with shops, restaurants, YMCA and cinema, surrounded by condos, townhomes, cottages and estate homes plus greenway trails.
Explore current homes for sale in Biltmore Park »
Sweeping elevation changes, mountain streams and ridge-top panoramas punctuate every hole, and golf groups, clinics and member events run year-round thanks to the region’s mild four-season climate. Off the fairways, a recently refreshed clubhouse offers fine and casual dining with farm-to-table menus, wine-pairing dinners and holiday galas.
A fitness-wellness center hosts weight training, cardio, yoga and massage, while Har-Tru tennis courts and 17-plus miles of private hiking trails cater to racquet and trail enthusiasts. Social engines include book clubs, volunteer groups, bridge and seasonal festivals, fostering genuine camaraderie among both full-time and part-time residents. Protective covenants safeguard Champion Hills’ mature forests—clear-cutting is forbidden and pruning requires approval, so the neighborhood retains an authentic mountain canopy.
Tom Fazio–designed championship golf course at the center of a wooded, club-driven community with extensive trails and year-round social events.
Explore current homes for sale in Champion Hills »
Within Kenmure, members enjoy a George Cobb-influenced 18-hole championship course, heated indoor saline pool, outdoor lap pool, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce lawns, a modern fitness center and dining spaces that range from white-tablecloth evenings to grill-room burgers after a round. A robust community association fuels social clubs and volunteer projects, while the HOA’s architectural committee insists on landscape-sensitive improvements that minimize land disturbance.
From Kenmure’s gates, Asheville is 34 miles, Greenville 40 miles, and AVL Airport 16.5 miles—making it an easy hub for regional exploration.
Historic “Little Charleston of the Mountains” charm with a full country-club slate.
Explore current homes for sale in Kenmure »
Only 354 homesites will ever be platted, ensuring permanent low density. An Arnold Palmer Signature Course threads ridge-to-ridge, offering 360-degree Smoky Mountain vistas on nearly every tee box, while the six-hole Palmer Practice Park entices juniors and twilight players. The Boarding House clubhouse pairs fine dining and an award-winning wine list with rocking-chair porches that watch sunset fade across layered peaks.
Other amenities include an equestrian center with club horses, full boarding and 42 miles of riding trails; a wellness campus with spa and fitness; tennis courts; resort-style pool; and the Ruby Valley Sports Camp for kids. Resident naturalists run the Nature Center, guiding hikes, owl-prowls and citizen-science projects that reinforce the community’s conservation mission under the Balsam Mountain Trust.
3,200-acre conservation preserve where an Arnold Palmer course meets resident naturalists and 42 miles of trails.
Explore current homes for sale in Balsam Mountain Preserve »
George Cobb’s semi-private 18-hole course climbs to 3,200 feet and threads sparkling ponds and mountain creeks. Off the fairways, residents play on a six-court pickleball complex, four year-round ClayTech tennis courts and two bocce lanes. Twenty miles of private hiking trails crisscross creeks, waterfalls and four stocked lakes teeming with bass, trout and bluegill—paddleboards and fishing kayaks are common sights on summer mornings.
Parks deliver playgrounds, lakeside picnic shelters with grills and a fenced dog park, while organic gardens supply raised beds for resident green thumbs. Nearly half of Connestee’s acreage is permanently conserved, reinforcing a laid-back, nature-first vibe.
Active-lifestyle haven of lakes, waterfalls and George Cobb golf an hour south-west of Asheville.
Explore current homes for sale in Connestee Falls »
For over 15 years, the luxury real estate experts at Walnut Cove Realty have leveraged their in-depth understanding of the most sought-after communities in Western North Carolina to assist countless buyers in discovering their ideal luxury mountain home.
As a prominent leader in the luxury real estate market in Western North Carolina, our team comprises record-breaking agents, an award-winning marketing team, a Luxury Marketing Specialist, and exceptional administrative professionals, all dedicated to delivering outstanding results for our clients throughout the entire process.
Through Private Mountain Communities' affiliation with Walnut Cove Realty / Howard Hanna, our marketing reach extends globally through Luxury Portfolio International® and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Our tailored, data-driven approach to pricing, marketing, and negotiation combined with exemplary service have been our hallmark for decades.
We invite you to explore everything WNC has to offer in person. Contact us to connect with a local real estate agent and take the first step toward making this extraordinary locale your new home.
Call us today (888) 247-3466 »