Avery Creek / 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 FS 477 . Bennett Gap sits high on a ridgeline descent , while Avery Creek follows the creek down a steep valley center .
Avery Creek Trail splits off to the right of FS 477 , after a quick ride and hike up Club Gap trail . The top of Club Gap brings you to a 4 way intersection , where a chainsaw-carved bench will point you down the right path . Avery Creek Trail saw a major facelift in late 2019 , cleverly placed rocks , berms , and water bars compliment the rough and rugged terrain that heavy rainfall creates . Hang on to your handlebars and you ’ ll be rewarded with a fast , rugged trail that is sure to provide an adrenaline rush . Lower into the trail there are a few optional gap jumps for those with the eye for big air , and a mellow climb next to Avery Creek will pull you back up to the lower section of FS 477 .
Bennett Gap Trail begins the same way Avery Creek Trail does : a 1,100-foot climb over 3 miles on FS 477 . Once you spot the trail marker with Bennett Gap on the left side of the climb , a quick punchy climb brings you past a quiet meadow , and onto a narrow , rhododendron and rock-covered ridgeline . Bennett Gap provides it all , with big moves on narrow rock drops , to high-speed white-knuckle root stair steps . The trail ends with a high pace section of bench cut trail that brings you back down to FS 477 , and a quick pedal back to the car .
Getting there : Enter the forest on HWY-276 , after about three miles you ’ ll see the sign for the horse stables on your right hand side . Turn right on Avery Creek road , FS 477 , and begin the approach to the horse stables where your ride will begin .
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