Transylvania County has 250 cascading waterfalls. Looking Glass Falls is a 60-foot cascade visible from Highway 276 in Pisgah National Forest. Moore Cove Falls forms a 50-foot uninterrupted cascade in front of a rock overhang; an easy 1.5-mile round-trip hike leads there. Sliding Rock is a natural rock waterslide in Pisgah National Forest. The height, water flow, rock formation, and visibility each give these natural features their own character.
Waterfalls and Landscapes
Gorges State Park encompasses more than 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and has 26 waterfalls. A section of the 70-mile Foothills Trail also passes through the park. The 70 miles refer to the trail’s total length, not the portion within the park, distinguishing the trail’s overall length from the section that runs through the park.
Forests with Different Rules for Use
DuPont State Recreational Forest in Cedar Mountain, Transylvania County, encompasses unique ecological communities, lakes, waterfalls, and a multi-use trail network. The network is open to hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, people walking dogs, and other forest visitors. The forest is open to visitors every day of the year from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Check for possible trail closures before your visit.
Headwaters State Forest in southern Transylvania County offers a different setting. Only foot traffic is allowed on its roads and trails. The forest is rugged and remote, with no public facilities. It is intended for low-impact, dispersed recreational activities such as hiking and wildlife observation in a pristine, undeveloped setting. The direct comparison is between a multi-use trail network and an environment accessible only on foot and designed for low-impact recreation.
Forest History and Historic Buildings
The Cradle of Forestry Heritage Site is a 6,500-acre cultural heritage area. The Biltmore Forest School, America’s first forestry school, was founded on its grounds in 1898. Historic buildings also anchor cultural history in specific years: the Allison-Deaver House was built in 1815 and is believed to be the oldest surviving timber-frame house in western North Carolina. The historic McGaha Chapel was completed in 1872 during the difficult Reconstruction era after the American Civil War. The three dates—1815, 1872, and 1898—represent different forms of heritage: a timber-frame house, a chapel from the Reconstruction era, and a forestry school.
The Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guide introduces historic buildings in Brevard’s Main Street National Historic District. While the Allison-Deaver House focuses on a single house, the guide draws attention to several buildings in a historic district.
Music and Community Traditions
The Brevard Music Center is a summer educational institute and music festival. Young musicians prepare and perform musical works there at a high artistic level. The center presents 100 concerts and events for around 40,000 audience members and supporters. This brings musical education and performances together in the same cultural offering.
In Brevard, White Squirrel Day is a recurring community tradition that brings locals and visitors together. Check the date for the next event. An Old-Time Sing-Along takes place at McGaha Chapel on the first Saturday in June.
Discover more destinations: Brevard, Sapphire, Lake Toxaway, Catawba, Randolph County, Henderson, Alamance, Chatham County.
For the main travel overview: North Carolina.
