Bennett Gap Hiking Trail: The 2.9-mile-long trail requires a car switch if you want to avoid backtracking. Most begin from Bennett Gap and travel downhill. This trail is mainly a ridgetop trail and affords nice views of the Pisgah Ledge, Looking Glass Rock, the Avery Creek valley, and Black Mountain. The terrain and vegetation varies quite a bit as you pass through a wildlife opening, traverse rocky outcrops, drop down through two gaps and climb over Coontree Mountain. After passing Coontree Gap, the trail crosses some small streams that add an array of ferns, mosses and wildflowers to the variety in vegetation. You will notice the Bennett Gap Trail intersects the Perry Cove Trail (#151) at Saddle Gap, and then shares the trail with almost one mile of the Coontree Loop (#144) be sure to follow the red blazes. In the vicinity of the southern trailhead, combinations of other trails can return you to Bennett Gap if you are interested in a longer trip.
Directions from Brevard: Head northeast on US-64 E/S Broad St toward E Main St. Continue to follow US-64 E. Turn left onto US-276 N for 2.2 miles. Turn right onto National Forest Rd for 4.5 miles. Destination on left.
