Brevard’ s Bike / Hike Path
The city of Brevard also has multi-use paths, which can take a walker from downtown into the national forest. Every day, one can see joggers, walkers, cyclists and bicycle riders, pet owners, parents and children taking advantage of the path.
The 10-foot-wide path began in 2003 when the first phase was completed connecting the Transylvania County campus of Blue Ridge Community College to the city’ s Sports Complex and the county’ s Activity Center. Since then, the path was expanded along Ecusta Road and into the national forest opposite the Lowe’ s store.
Bracken Mountain Trails
As well as the multi-use path, the city of Brevard in 2012 created miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking on its Bracken Mountain property.
Graveyard Fields
There are also many trails to discover at Graveyard Fields at milepost 418. The Graveyard Fields Loop trail begins at the overlook. Other trails will take you to waterfalls. The Graveyard Ridge trail ascends and then travels along Graveyard Ridge itself before ending at the intersection with the Ivestor Gap and Mountains to Sea trails.
HIKING INFORMATION
– Rainbow Falls –
Rainbow Falls offers a dramatic 150-foot drop along the Horsepasture River that creates a mist as it splashes into a pool at the bottom, resulting in a rainbow when the sun strikes it just right. Upstream is Turtleback Falls, a popular spot for sliding into a pool below. It should also be noted, however, that in 2016 there were multiple fatalities at Rainbow Falls. It is far too common for people swimming in the pool at the foot of Turtleback Fall to lose their footing on the rocks between Turtleback and Rainbow Falls and get swept over the edge. Visitors should exercise extreme caution when visiting these and all the other waterfalls, and keep a safe distance away from the top of Rainbow Falls.
– Headwaters –
Headwaters State Forest encompasses 6,730 acres and is managed as a“ working forest” and open to foot track only. Visitors to the forest can expect informational kiosks at parking areas off Glady Fork Road, Sassafras Mountain and Gum Gap, that will lead them to worthy destinations. On the southern end of the forest is the Foothills Trail, a 70-mile through hike trail that runs from Ocoee State Park in South Carolina, all the way through Saluda. Throughout the forest, a network of unmarked trails and old logging and 4-by- 4 roads crisscross the property, and the N. C. Forest Service intends to leave it that way. For more information, go to ncforestservice. gov / headwaters.
– Panthertown Valley –
In the western part of the county, Panthertown Valley is another popular destination. Schoolhouse Falls is probably the most popular hike, offering a beautiful waterfall and an excellent spot for a picnic or a swim.
– Shut-In Trails –
Other hiking options include the Shut-In Trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 393.6 to milepost 405.5. These trails range from moderate to difficult.
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