Moore Cove Falls Trail: Looking for a short and sweet adventure in Pisgah? Look no further than Moore Cove Falls trail! This hike is understandably one of the more popular in the area, and for good reason. With a well-marked trail that’s just under 1.5 miles round trip, this...
Nestled in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest, just a short drive from Asheville, lies one of the best climbing destinations in the Southeast: Looking Glass Rock. With its stunning views, challenging climbs, and world-class reputation, Looking Glass is a must-visit destination for...
Avery Creek Trail and Bennett Gap Trail: Two trails that live up to the “fast, steep, and gnarly” badge that the Pisgah Ranger District has earned are the Avery Creek and Bennett Gap singletrack. These two parallel trails are best accessed from the popular horse stable parking lot, off of...
“Musky Mile”: This is a local favorite spot for trying to go toe-to-toe with the closest thing a river may have to a shark, a Musky. These toothy critters are more formally known as Muskellunge and are the largest member of the Pike Family. They are apex predators in the...
Skinny Dip Falls: This three-tiered waterfall along the Yellowstone Prong drops a total of 30 feet through a rocky bend in an ice-cold mountain stream. Perched on the edge of the tallest falls is a rock that juts over a deep plunge pool. While we can’t say that the waterfalls are...
Blue Ridge Parkway Ride (Brevard): Climb US 276 through the Cradle of Forestry to gain scenic views of the expansive Pisgah National Forest and the site where forestry first began in the U.S. Head South to gain views of Looking Glass Rock, a towering dome of granite deep in Pisgah...
The Sam Knob Summit Hiking Trail is considered one of the “Best Hikes In Asheville.” This 2.2-mile out and back hike starts at 5,800 feet in elevation and ascends through a “Canadian” ecosystem of evergreen forests and expansive meadows until it reaches the double peak of Sam...
Looking Glass Rock Trail (Brevard): Looking Glass Rock’s stone face is one of the more recognizable landmarks from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sheer face is a popular climbing spot while the trail to the summit rewards hikers with stunning views. This moderately difficult hike...
Coontree Picnic Area & Swimming Hole: One of Brevard’s best swimming holes and a great place to stop for a picnic in Pisgah National Forest is found at the Coontree Recreation Area in Pisgah National Forest, located just outside of Brevard on US 276. While there are a lot...
Davidson River Running Trail (Brevard): The Davidson River Exercise Trail is a great warm-up run for the more advanced adventurer and a nice workout for the beginner runner. The exercise trail is a 1.5-mile flat, mostly wide loop with some rocks and roots that runs in between the Davidson...
Bracken Mountain Trail Running Loop: For a leg-burning trail run, check out the loop at Bracken Mountain Preserve that clocks in at approximately 6 miles, with 1000′ of elevation gain. Bracken Mountain Preserve is a beautiful 395 acre section of public land, and the trail winds...
North Side Boulders At Looking Glass Rock: Tucked away beneath the 500-foot-tall North Face of Looking Glass Rock are a handful of classic boulder problems well worth a visit. Thanks to the blocky granite of Looking Glass, the boulders have a unique style unlike most other areas in WNC...
Cedar Rock Trad Climbing (Pisgah National Forest): With a vast difficulty range that accommodates all skill levels and over two dozen varied climbs, Cedar Rock is a popular yet typically uncrowded climbing spot. The dome’s main wall features classic climbs like Cedar Pie and Toads R...
When thinking of the lazy days of summer, who can resist bobbing down the river on an inner tube? The Brevard area has a couple of great options for some floatin’ fun either on the French Broad River with a trip through Headwater Outfitters or on the Davidson River with rental tubes...
Sliding Rock in Brevard is an incredible adventure that is consistently ranked as one of the best swimming holes in the U.S. and, as a result, draws big crowds during summer months. We can’t blame them though, as the sloping waterfall creates a natural waterslide that is a lot...
Nowhere Boulders | Brevard: This small bouldering area features a handful of short, but fun climbs and is worth a quick stop when in the Brevard area if you’re looking for some easy to moderate boulder problems to play on when in the area. There are a few boulders located just off...
This trailhead is super close to the entrance to the forest, making it ideal for those short on time. At the back of the parking lot, take a left to head up away from the road for this almost 4 mile loop. The first section is an old road bed, and after short distance, Black Mountain Trail...
Running Moore Cove Falls Trail: Moore Cove Trail is a good Brevard running adventure that is suitable for the entire family. The first 150 feet of the trail are moderate, but the grade becomes easy for the remainder of the run. You will cross the creek three more times on good footbridges...
Sycamore Cove Running Trail Loop: This trail – essentially a loop – is a nice run with a variety of vegetation types and scenery. The trail initially follows Starnes Branch amidst large hemlock trees. After crossing the branch, the trail becomes moderate in difficulty and...
For local trail runners, North Slope is something of a legacy. A favorite for it’s ease of access and perfect 3.7 mile loop, the North Slope trail begins and ends in the Davidson River Campground. This location also makes it a popular hike among campground guests, so during the high...
Turkey Pen Hiking Loop: If you’re really up for a challenging loop, then this hike won’t disappoint – and it’s certainly not for the novice hiker. The initial climb out of the parking lot on Turkey Pen Trail heads straight up Sharpy Mountain for approximately 2 to...
A good mix or road bed and trail – Cove Creek is suitable for the novice hiker, yet even the avid outdoor’s person will enjoy the territory. Plus, if 2.5 miles round trip it’s too lax of a hiking journey, then be sure to sit and slide down the rock in the frigid river to...
John Rock Hiking Trail: If you’re looking for killer views, then John Rock is the hike to take. There are a couple of trail approach options, either the long way (about 6 miles) or the shorter way (about 4 miles), but either way you’ll be rewarded with views of Looking Glass...
Coontree Gap Hiking Loop: For a challenging 3.7 mile loop with nice elevation changes and varying micro- environments, Coontree Loop is a great hike to check out. The trail begins across the road from the well known Coontree Picnic Area – where there is super fun rock to jump off...
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...
Cradle of Forestry in America Heritage Site: The Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500 acre historic site within the Pisgah National Forest. Congress set the Cradle aside to commemorate the beginning of forest conservation in the United States. The Cradle of Forestry tells the story of...
Courthouse Creek Fly Fishing: Beginning as a series of cold springs below Devil’s Courthouse, Courthouse Creek tumbles down the mountain to form the headwaters of the North Fork French Broad. Its crystal clear waters are chock full of wild rainbows in the 5- to 10-inch range...
Avery Creek Fly Fishing: Avery Creek is a small tributary of the Davidson near Brevard that is a critical spawning ground for rainbows and browns. It is classified as a Wild Trout stream, which has no closed season and allows a limited amount of harvest (though we recommend you practice...
Looking Glass Creek Fly Fishing: Starting high on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this major tributary of the Davidson is paralleled by Hwy. 276 as it drops steeply through the Pisgah Ranger District. The half-mile stretch below Looking Glass Falls receives the most attention from fly anglers...
North Fork French Broad Fly Fishing: The North Fork is a wide-open stream well suited for fly fishing. Like its sister to the west, the North Fork runs through a deep, rocky gorge, plunging over several major waterfalls on its way to the mainstream of the French Broad River near...
Davidson River Dog-Friendly Trail: Take Fido out for a hike along the scenic Davidson River Trail that passes through beautiful hardwood forests near the Cradle of Forestry. There are miles of trails that run alongside the river. On most days trout can be seen swimming around in the pools...
Trace Ridge Dog-Friendly Trail: At about 5 miles round trip, Trace Ridge Trail climbs from the Mills River area up to the Beaver Dam Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views from the Parkway are well worth the journey. For those that are wanting to cut the distance in half, there...
Avery Creek Dog-Friendly Trail: This moderate hike offers a great opportunity for you and your pet to get out and explore Pisgah National Forest and see one of the roughly 200 waterfalls found near Brevard in Transylvania County. Avery Creek Falls is a great swimming hole and the cool...
Art Loeb Hiking Trail: With just over 30 miles of incredible hiking, the Art Loeb Trail is renowned as one of the most beautiful and difficult hikes of its length in the state. The trail is named for Art Loeb, an avid hiker and activist from the Carolina Mountain Club who had a fond...
Challenge your skills on the Davidson. Named as one of Trout Unlimited’s “Top 100 Trout Streams in America” the Davidson is a very productive freestone river that supports trophy-class fish over 20 inches. About 14 miles of the river, from its headwaters to Avery Creek...
The North Mills River area is one of the most popular fishing areas in the Asheville area for a reason. This river is conveniently located to Asheville, has easy access and fishes very well throughout the year. The lower section near the campground and picnic area is the most popular and...
Sliding Rock Falls | Brevard Waterfalls Guide: Sliding Rock Falls is one of western North Carolina’s most popular attractions. The 60-foot-long Sliding Rock Falls in Pisgah National Forest draws thousands of visitors each week to take a trip down the smooth rock slide on Looking...
Looking Glass Falls | Brevard Waterfalls Guide: One of the most popular and highly visited waterfalls in North Carolina, Looking Glass Falls, which takes its name from nearby Looking Glass Rock, is a 60 foot tall cascade located only a few hundred feet from U.S. 276. Looking Glass Falls...
Moore Cove Falls | Brevard Waterfalls Guide: This hike is understandably one of the more popular in Pisgah. A short hike (just under 1.5 miles round trip) on a well-marked trail provides access to this 50-foot waterfall. Suitable for young kids and less experienced hikers, the trail has...
Sycamore Cove Loop | Brevard Mountain Biking: From the parking area at the bottom of Black Mountain Trail, start up the chunky gravel and stay right to begin climbing up Thrift Cove. After some steep punchy climbing veer right onto Grassy Road Trail. Intersecting...
Davidson River Campground | Brevard: Davidson River Recreation Area offers camping and outdoor activities for the whole family. The campground boasts several loops of shaded campsites, as well as access to hiking trails, fishing spots, waterfalls and several nearby attractions within...