great trails Asheville near or not so far from?

So many options.  Roan Highlands is superb hiking. It has long stretches of bald walking with tremendous views.  Grayson Highlands is similar but just a little further.  Linville Gorge is rugged and beautiful. Smokies are close; you can do a nice loop out of Big Creek that goes up to Mt. Sterling and crosses back over to the AT and Mt. Cammerer.

What time of year?

How many days?

How many miles per day?

Ben has some good suggestions:  Grayson Highlands is top notch hiking and you can put together some nice overnight loops there above 5K feet.    Roan Highlands is nice too, but you need to get a shuttle (Mountain Harbor Hostel and Kincora Hostel)

That loop in the Smokies would be nice too, CS#38 on top of Mt. Sterling is the highest campsite in the park.

Thanks yall. I dont have definite dates, just lining up ideas. What would be some great day hikes with Asheville as base? Max Patch?

Max Patch is fine; its kind of a drive up and look around. There are thousands of fine day hikes: Mt. Mitchell,  Pisgah, Smokies, Transylvania County had a lot of waterfall hikes,  etc.

Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mtn. crest.  The highest ridge east of South Dakota and less than an hour (maybe 30 minutes) from Asheville.  Dayhikes or overnights.

Thanks. Thats what Im hoping to learn about: specific recommended hikes. I dont like to decide on the spot without having some idea

Sebastian here is a link to some trip reports of mine of hikes on the Black Mtns.