Trail Towns: Brevard, Pisgah Forest, Lake Toxaway, Rosman, Cedar Mountain

With more than half the county being public land, Brevard is NC’s headquarters for outdoor adventure! Our go-to spot welcomes visitors to over 350 miles of epic singletrack, 1000+ miles of hiking trails and the headwaters home to the world’s third oldest river, the French Broad. Known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” there are 250 of them waiting for you to enjoy in Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park and beyond. When the outdoors feel like too much, pop into Downtown Brevard to visit local restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries and craft
breweries. The dynamic music scene, art galleries and heritage museums hold the history and culture of this special place.

in the Brevard Area

No matter how you like to experience your trails, by boot, paddle, bike, saddle, stroller or selfies, you’ve come to the right place. Known as a mecca for mountain bikers across the country and beyond, an endless array of routes and terrain allows bikers of all abilities to join the fun. Just up the winding road from Sliding Rock, The Cradle of Forestry is not only the birthplace of forestry, but its paved trails capture this peaceful mountain home’s heritage through a preserved homestead. From the Estatoe Trail in town to the paddle and river snorkeling trails of the French Broad River, let your adventure begin!

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Hiking

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Mountain Biking

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Road Cycling

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Paved Greenway

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Paddling

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Horseback Riding

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Snorkeling

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Fishing

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Driving Tour

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Cultural Or Walking Tours

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Waterfall

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Winter Activities

Important note: Accessible trails are highlighted in blue!

Trail name

Trail town

Activities

Biltmore Campus Trail

at Cradle of Forestry

Brevard, Pisgah Forest

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Big Rock & Cedar Rock Trails

Cedar Mountain, Brevard

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French Broad River Paddle Trail

Rosman, Brevard

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South Mills River Trail

Pisgah Forest

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Estatoe Trail

Brevard, Pisgah Forest

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Cat Gap Loop to John Rock Trail

Pisgah Forest

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Rainbow Falls & Turtleback Falls

Lake Toxaway

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At Outdoor NC, we are dedicated to promoting accessibility for all visitors, regardless of their abilities. We strive to improve the accessibility of our offerings and share this information through our various platforms, including our Trail Town Guide. We collaborate with state, regional, local and private-sector partners to make North Carolina’s destinations and outdoor spaces easier to access.

  • This guide includes accessible, easy, moderate and difficult trails which may be suitable for, or exceed, anyone’s ability. Plan Ahead and Be Prepared.

  • For this guide, trails which are marked as “accessible” are ADA compliant (firm, stable surface that is at least 36 inches wide). This includes paved greenways, hard pack pathways and boardwalks. It does not mean that these trails are without obstacles.

  • Beyond ADA compliant trails, this guide lists many opportunities that are suitable for visitors of all abilities which include walking tours and driving trails. Additionally, check with local land managers for information on adaptive mountain bike access for mountain biking and road cycling trails.

  • We encourage all visitors to utilize the provided trail websites and other local resources to become familiar with trail descriptions, site facilities and potential obstacles, so you know what to expect and can make the best determination for your skill and abilities.

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