Rocking and Rolling Gravel Cycling in Transylvania County Brevard/Transylvania County is justifiably renowned for its mountain biking and road cycling. But there’s a lesser known – yet equally superb – cycling activity that’s gaining popularity. Best of all, there’s no better place on the planet to try it than right here. The sport is gravel biking. You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers! Q&A Q&A: What is gravel biking? Think of gravel biking as a hybrid between mountain biking and road cycling. In most cases, gravel biking takes place on an unpaved road with bikes that are similar to road bikes, but with wider and/or treaded tires. Q&A Q&A: What’s the point? In a word: fun. Gravel bikes enable you to explore deep in the woods while riding on non-technical surfaces. So, in many respects, you get the benefits of mountain biking without the technical challenges of maneuvering around large rocks and roots. Q&A Q&A: Why is Transylvania County such a great place to gravel bike? Thanks to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest, there are literally hundreds of miles of well-maintained gravel roads, often referred to as “Forest Service” or “FS” roads. The opportunities for deep exploration into pristine corners of our county are multiplied many times over when your mode of transportation is a gravel bike. Q&A Q&A: What kind of bike do I need? Thanks to the growing popularity of gravel biking, manufacturers offer a wide range of gravel-specific bikes featuring wider tires and a... Read More
Cedar Mountain Cool The Latest Word on a Small Community with Plenty of Big Fun Once a secret gem of a spot, the tiny, scenic hamlet of Cedar Mountain has become one of Transylvania County’s liveliest and most rewarding communities. It’s a great place to kick back and enjoy delicious food and beverages in an area full of art and fantastic hangouts. An excellent day trip while visiting Brevard, Cedar Mountain is perfect for catching your breath on the doorstep of outdoor adventure. Here are a few great places to get a sense of what makes Cedar Mountain so special: 1 1 FALL(s) IN LOVE For many visitors to Brevard and Transylvania County, Cedar Mountain is the entry point to DuPont State Recreational Forest. This beloved 12,500-acre state forest has trails, woodlands, beautiful views, and some of Transylvania County’s most popular waterfalls, including High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls, as well as Wintergreen Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Nearby Connestee Falls also offers up gorgeous views of a spectacular plunge from an accessible viewing area. 2 2 THROW THINGS Long known for its pottery studios and local art scene, Cedar Mountain is a great place to check in on what’s coming off the wheel. See what’s new at Studio 276, Mud Dabbers Pottery, Cedar Mountain Pottery, Lezard Brevard, and Hemlock’s Studio, and perhaps get inspired to take up a new hobby. 3 3 SIP AND SNACK Cedar Mountain has a host of delightful and unconventional... Read More
Artful Adventures Choose from the following activities to completely immerse yourself in the artistic and musical traditions of Brevard and Transylvania County: Live Music On several nights out of the week (and almost all in the warmer months) your odds of running into a bluegrass jam, a rock band, a jazz funk combo and/or a world-renowned classical quartet playing live somewhere in the immediate vicinity of downtown Brevard are well nigh 100%. First stop, the Visit Waterfalls calendar. It offers the most complete listing of concerts, shindigs, jam sessions and more. Scenic 276 Arts Corridor This 13-mile stretch of highway winds from just south of Brevard to the South Carolina State line. This lovely route winds past more than a dozen art galleries and craft studios, as well as home-style dining, local produce stands and charming rustic accommodations. Travellers not too distracted by the artwork may also find themselves impressed by the stunning scenery. Mud Dabbers Pottery Located four miles south of Brevard on Highway 276, this gallery offers utterly unique pieces created by local potters as well as a full schedule of classes and workshops for aspiring artisans of all ages. Get your hands dirty with individual instruction in a private pottery party or bring the whole family for a Saturday Family Clay Day and leave with a new family heirloom created by your fledgling Michaelangelo. Fourth Friday Gallery Walks Extended hours, special events and live music at Fourth Friday Gallery Walks (April-December, 5-8pm) give all-day adventurers a... Read More
Into The Woods: 1 Day Itinerary If all you want to do is get dirty, sweaty, exhausted and completely exhilarated, you couldn’t pick a better destination. Surrounded by over a million acres of forests, Transylvania County is the best outdoor playground east of the Rockies. Whether you’re a hiker, biker, climber or paddler, there’s a lifetime of discovery waiting for you here. Morning Tackle Pisgah National Forest’s rough, tough Farlow Gap ride, immortalized in this story by Bike Magazine. This monster single track route can dish it out, so come prepared. Afternoon Ice baths are a great way to speed muscle recovery, so cool your extremities post-ride at one of our favorite Pisgah swimming holes, Whale Back (opposite Cove Creek campground), just up the road from the Fish Hatchery. Once you’ve recovered, you still have time for another short ride before dinner. We recommend Brevard’s awesome new multi-use trail, Bracken Preserve. The trailhead is located just behind Brevard Music Center. Evening After dinner in one of Brevard’s awesome eateries, head on over to Brevard Brewing Company and tip back a Bohemian Pilsner or German Hefeweisen with friends as you swap tales about the gonzo descent you made on Farlow. Learn more about... Read More
A Week In The Woods: Serious Adventures Spending a week in Transylvania County invariably leads to this epiphany: “I could spend a lifetime here and still not see all of it.” And you would be absolutely correct. But don’t dwell on this fact. Dive in and see just how exhausted, dirty, sweaty, stinky, sore and, yes, blissful, you can get in just a few days. Choose from the activities below to fill out your week: Canyoneering Joe Moerschbaecker isn’t content to show you Transylvania County’s legendary waterfalls from a distance. He wants you to become one with them. His company, Pura Vida Adventures, leads canyoneering trips that include rappelling down the face of some of the most beautiful cascades in North America. Exhilaration and safety go hand in hand in these one-of-a-kind excursions. Pura Vida is the only commercially accredited canyoneering company in the eastern U.S. Backcountry camping in Gorges State Park There have been lots of recent improvements to this jewel of a state park, including access roads, trailheads, parking areas and a spanking new visitor center. Which means it’s now easier than ever to shuck off civilization and get deep into this spectacular wilderness. Your best bet is to park at the Grassy Ridge parking area and descend to the Horsepasture River. From here, head downriver. The further south you go, the wilder it gets, but you’re sure to find a spot that fits your description of the perfect campsite. Trail Running Looking Glass Rock Any reasonably... Read More
Get Your Motor Running: Road Trips Whether you’re behind the wheel of a fancy convertible or a family wagon, these two driving tours showcase the best of what Transylvania County has to offer. Sure, you can speed through these routes and see plenty of sights, but the ideal way is take your foot off the gas and plan to make several stops along the way. Directions: From downtown Brevard, go south on US-64 for 3.4 miles. Turn left on US-276 and go north for 15 miles. Turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and go 11 miles. Turn left onto US-215 and go 17.3 miles. Turn left on US-64 and go 8.6 miles to downtown Brevard. TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY LOOP (3 – 7 hours, depending on stops) If you want a grand tour of Transylvania County, this is it. Begin in downtown Brevard, where you can fortify yourself with coffee and sweet rolls from Bracken Mountain Bakery or Blue Ridge Bakery before setting out. Your route takes you into Pisgah National Forest where you can get sidetracked by any number of great attractions, from Looking Glass Falls to Sliding Rock to the Cradle of Forestry. Top out on the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it south. Numerous overlooks offer up stunning views of the Blue Ridge mountains and the awesome rock monolith of Looking Glass Rock. At Devil’s Courthouse, stretch your legs on a trail that summits on a granite aerie that makes you feel like you’re standing on the... Read More
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