Five Fabulous Fall Hikes

For visitors to Brevard and Transylvania County, a walk in the woods takes on a whole new meaning. With a national forest (Pisgah), a state park (Gorges), two state forests (DuPont and Headwaters) making up over a hundred thousand acres of lush woodlands, an afternoon hike in our part of the world will either soothe your soul or stretch your spirit depending on your path.  Below you’ll find five not-to-be-missed hikes.  Visit ExploreBrevard.com to discover many more options and to map your next adventure. 

Here’s your chance to marvel at the capabilities of the irrepressible “castor canadensis” (more commonly known as the North American beaver) to transform a landscape. This mostly flat 5 mile trail works around bogs and ponds created by these industrious engineers.  This high-elevation valley is ideal for a casual ramble. You’ll see lots of native wildflowers and ferns along the way. Be sure to visit the Forest Discovery Center at the nearby Cradle of Forestry, too.  Reach the trailhead by entering Pisgah National Forest on US276 and drive north 11.4 miles. Parking is on the right. 
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John Rock is a local favorite, and with good reason. This well-marked loop summits along the smooth granite face of John Rock and affords breathtaking views of Looking Glass Rock and the distant ridgeline of the Pisgah Range to the northwest. The trail offers a nice combination of flat walking and rigorous climbs. Bring a picnic lunch in your daypack. Exercise additional caution at the summit especially in wet weather. This is a strenuous hike of 5 miles, and starts at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in Pisgah Forest.
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There are lots of popular hikes in Gorges, considered to be the crown jewel of North Carolina’s state parks. But we have a fondness for this moderate, one-mile hike on a well-maintained trail that weaves through a beautiful woodland setting. The payoff comes when you reach a roomy viewing platform that frames a long-range look at Upper Bearwallow Falls.  While you're visiting Gorges State Park be sure to stop at the Visitor Center, where you can also learn the fascinating history and geology of this timeless setting. 
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Waterfalls abound in DuPont, so it’s only fitting that the payoff for this hike is not just one, but two of the forest’s marquee cascades. Starting at the Hooker Falls Parking lot on Staton Road, cross the bridge over the Little River and begin a somewhat strenuous climb that’s rewarded by multiple views of Triple Falls. Carry on uphill a short distance for a breathtaking look at powerful High Falls. While mostly uphill, this is a short hike – and once you’ve viewed these scenic falls you have an easy downhill stroll back to your vehicle. 
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If you want to know where the wild things are, you don’t always have to venture into the woods. This easy urban walk features wild turkey, fox, panther, black bear, chipmunks and even white squirrels. Twenty-one different sculptures, rendered in steel, bronze, copper, marble and stone make up this delightful downtown stroll. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the native species that populate our forests before you actually head into the woods. The Transylvania Times offers a scavenger hunt here, to make finding the sculptures even more fun. And stay tuned for news about the three new sculptures of larger-than-life musical instruments being installed near Brevard College.
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And if hiking doesn't happen to be your favorite adventure you'll find quite a few more adventures to explore this fall in Brevard.  Click here to discover more and plan your own outing.