Mars Hill, NC

Ireland

Mars Hill is a small college town in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, about 20 miles north of Asheville via US 25-70. Home to Mars Hill University and 3,000 residents, it sits at 2,200 feet elevation with mild mountain weather. I-26 provides the main long-distance connection about 10 miles southeast. The Bailey Mountain Preserve offers 1,100 acres of hiking trails with sweeping views of the French Broad River Valley.