48 hours in transylvania county
Transylvania County, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a handful of small, vibrant communities that are surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of public land. The national forests, national park land, and state park land are home to lush forests, towering granite cliffs, and more than 250 waterfalls, making the county a hot bed of outdoor adventure.
Jack Henderson
meet the local
Jack Henderson has been a Transylvania County local since 2010. The all-around outdoorsman loves the area for its diversity of adventures and spends his free time trail running, mountain biking, and paddling. “There are so many outdoor spaces in Transylvania County,” Henderson says. “We have Pisgah National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and state lands like DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park…most places would be lucky to have one of these, but here, nearly half of the county is in public ownership.”
Henderson works for Mountain True, a conservation-minded non-profit, where he helps run the French Broad River Trail program, which focuses on public access, riverside camping, and events along the French Broad River. A key element of Henderson’s job is working with volunteers to help maintain the French Broad watershed, removing debris and monitoring water quality. Henderson has developed a custom-made itinerary that allows visitors to not only explore his home turf of Transylvania County, but practice key elements of stewardship so you can leave it better than how you found it.
Jack Henderson: My Wild-Yet-Wise Weekend in Transylvania County
day one
Breakfast
Grab a pastry at Bracken Mountain Bakery before heading to The Hub bike shop, where you can get any gear you need for Transylvania County’s mountainous terrain. The area enjoys more than 90 inches of rain a year, making it the wettest county in the state. All of that rain is one of the reasons there are so many spectacular waterfalls in the area, but it also means you need to be prepared with proper gear, like rain jackets and shoes that can handle river crossings and afternoon showers. The Hub also carries maps of the local public lands and its staff is knowledgeable in current trail conditions. Lean on these local resources to help you Plan Ahead and Prepare for your adventures, which is one of the seven principles of Outdoor NC Leave No Trace. Wearing proper attire, understanding trail conditions, and planning a smart route ahead of time will help keep you safe and on appropriate trails, which is a solid basis for stewardship focused adventure.
morning adventure
The French Broad River has helped shape our mountains as it’s carved a 219-mile valley through Western North Carolina and Tennessee. That corridor is a mix of wide, pastoral meadows and narrow rocky cliffs, all of which is a hotbed of wildlife such as bald eagles, small mouth bass, otters and great blue herons. All visitors have an opportunity to help preserve that wildlife habitat by participating in an act of volun-tourism that leaves the river in better shape than how we found it. Mountain True, the parent non-profit that oversees the French Broad River Keeper program, organizes a series of volunteer opportunities throughout the year, where you can spend a few hours picking up debris or removing invasive plant species in various spots throughout the watershed. Spend one morning volunteering with us and you have the chance to preserve the very habitat that attracted you to Transylvania County in the first place.
Lunch
Pescado’s and Sunrise Cafe is a longtime favorite of mine. It’s been a staple in Brevard since the late ‘90s. You can build your own burrito there and enjoy it on the patio if it’s sunny.
Afternoon adventure
You did your part preserving the French Broad River, now it’s time to canoe it. There are 30 miles of the French Broad River in Transylvania County, including its headwaters. I like to rent a canoe from Headwaters Outfitters, in Rosman, and paddle a four-mile section down to the Lyons Mountain access area. It’s a calm, flat water paddle with incredible mountain scenery. Respect the river and all of its users by giving everyone the space they need to fish or paddle or swim and enjoy this beautiful resource as they see fit. Recreational users are often the most active stewards of the landscape, and when everyone feels they have the space and opportunity to enjoy the river in their own way, they’re more likely to protect it.
dinner
There are plenty of great restaurants in the county, but I like to put together a picnic from Food Matters Market and take it up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to find a perfect spot to watch the sunset. Food Matters works hard to support local food producers, so every sandwich or snack you purchase here benefits local farmers. After you enjoy your picnic with a view, remember to Trash Your Trash and pack everything out with you. Taking all your trash, including food scraps, home with you helps preserve the local wildlife’s natural food system.
If you have the energy, head back down to Brevard from the Parkway and catch some live music at 185 King Street, a theater that books great local and regional bands and serves beer from local outfit Noblebrau Brewing.
spend the night
There are plenty of great places to stay in Transylvania County, but Pilot Cove sits on the border of Pisgah National Forest, with cabins that offer immediate access to the forest’s trails. The 64-acre property is also an easy drive from downtown Brevard, so you don’t have to choose between wilderness and town; you can enjoy both.
day two
morning adventure
Gear up for a morning mountain bike ride in Pisgah National Forest. I like a big, 14-mile loop you can create using Bennett Gap Trail and Black Mountain Trail as your anchors. The ride should take about two to three hours. Both of these pieces of singletrack offer classic, Pisgah style downhill, which is full of technical fun like rocks, roots and the occasional drop. Make sure the singletrack is in good shape for other users by practicing Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles and sticking to the established trails. Stay within your own skill level too; there’s nothing wrong with walking over an obstacle if you don’t think you can ride it.
lunch break
I always like to support one of the local breweries, like Ecusta Brewing. Their Guide Beer is light, and lower ABV, making it a good post-adventure option. They have non-alcoholic beer too, and their kitchen, Gordingo’s, has really hearty tacos and bowls.
afternoon adventure
If you’re sticking around and looking for a waterfall to explore, head to Looking Glass Falls. This 60-foot plunge sits right next to Highway 276 inside Pisgah National Forest, so it’s easy to access, but is one of the most impressive waterfalls you’ll ever see. You also have the opportunity to support the wildlife that thrives in Looking Glass Creek by leaving the river bed as you find it. The river is home to an amazing array of salamanders, including the hellbender, which is the largest salamander in North America, growing up to two feet in length. When you leave the rocks within the riverbed undisturbed, you’re ensuring that the hellbender has a safe habitat and will continue to thrive in rivers like Looking Glass Creek.
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