
HIKING
Hiking Pisgah National Forest
Transylvania County and the Pisgah National Forest is home to hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Divided into four main ranger districts, the forest covers approximately 500,000 acres of wilderness. Pilot Cove is located adjacent to the Pisgah Ranger district, with the Davidson River area being the most accessible from the property.
Whether you are looking to spend a leisurely day exploring the forest or are seeking a longer adventure covering multiple miles of trail, this area of Pisgah has a host of trails to choose from.
Waterfalls
Experience the Land of the Waterfalls! Transylvania County is home to more than 250 majestic waterfalls. The ever-popular Looking Glass Falls is located just 6 miles away and features its own parking area, with Sliding Rock also nearby. Many trails are accessible with just a short hike, including Moore Cove Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls, Skinny Dip Falls, and Log Hollow Falls. If you’re looking for a more strenuous route to view the falls, check out Twin Falls, Cedar Rock Falls, or any of the other hundreds of waterfalls in Transylvania County!
Family Hikes
Many waterfall hikes are family friendly, including Moore Cove Falls and Log Hollow Falls. A local favorite family-friendly destination is the Cradle of Forestry, located about 10 miles away. The Forest Discovery Center is another favorite stop for kids, with a 2 mile paved, accessible trail that features restored turn-of-the-century buildings and educational exhibits about how forestry began in the United States. Nearby is another Pilot Cove favorite: Pink Beds, a 5 mile loop trail that’s great for a half-day hiking adventure.
Mountain Views
Looking Glass Rock is a famous landmark in Pisgah National Forest, offering breathtaking 180 degree views from the top! It’s accessible from Looking Glass Rock Trail, a 6.5 mile round-trip hike from the trailhead, located less than a 10 minute drive from Pilot Cove. For other nearby hikes with mountain views, check out Bennett Gap, the Art Loeb Trail, Devil’s Courthouse, Mount Pisgah, and Black Balsam Knob. The Art Loeb Trail, named one of the best hikes in the United States by many outdoor magazines, has its southern terminus located less than a mile from Pilot Cove – the views from this trail are unparalleled in the Southeast!
Also, when the trees are void of leaves in Winter, mountain views are visible from nearly every trail. This is also the least crowded season for Pisgah National Forest, making it a splendid time to visit!
LOCAL RESOURCES


Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway near Pilot Cove!

Davidson River | Pisgah National Forest | Visitors Guide
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LOCATION
319 Gateway Junction Drive
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Next to the Hub & Pisgah Tavern - Get Directions
Guide to Spring in Pisgah National Forest and Brevard NC
Spring has sprung, as they say, in Pisgah National Forest! This is one of the best seasons to vacation in Brevard and Transylvania County, whether it’s for wildflower viewing, hiking, fly fishing, kayaking, festivals, or other outdoor adventures. Like all seasons in Pisgah, Spring promises in its distinct way to be a great time to visit the area. We hope this guide helps you plan your trip and excursions among these gorgeous mountains and forests.
Trees & Wildflowers
Trees in Western North Carolina start to leaf out in April and May, and the wildflowers? Where do we begin? With more than 1,600 blooming plants in these mountains, we have one of the best climates in the world for wildflower blooming. March is the start of the Spring bloom season, with most of our notable, awe-inspiring, and spectacular shows of color happening between April and June. You can even expect to see things in bloom as late as October in our temperate climate! Here are some of the most commonly-known blooms you can find here in the Pisgah area month-by-month in Spring (some bloom for much longer than the typical starting month listed here):
Spring Hikes & Outings
Spring Activities
Spring Events
While the COVID pandemic has altered or canceled some events around the country, we are optimistic that more of our fantastic events will come back soon. Some already plan to take place in 2021!
However you choose to spend your days when you’re visiting Pisgah in the Spring, we know you’ll have no shortage of options! We look forward to seeing you at Pilot Cove.
Red Wolf Mountain Bike Tours
Guided mountain bike rides throughout the Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest.
www.redwolftours.com/
NCLine Adventures
Guided hiking tours, camping tours, beer and wine tours, fully-equipped van rentals, and more with customized itineraries to your needs. Also custom elopement ceremonies in the beautiful Western NC mountains!
https://www.nclineadventures.com/
White Dot Adventures
White Dot Adventures was created to help facilitate your next running adventure. Our guides hold intimate knowledge of Pisgah National Forest and want you to have a trail running experience you’ll never forget. The places we’ll take you are the same places you’ll find us on a regular basis, even when we’re not guiding.
We don’t care if you’re new to running or an experienced mountain runner looking for a new challenge, we cater to all. Western North Carolina is home to a massive amount of trail, and we simply want to show you why we live here.
www.whitedotadventures.com
Carmichael Training Systems
A great opportunity for guided MTB adventures with top-tier athletes and coaches! Explore the beautiful trails of Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, and Paris Mountain State Park with experienced and certified CTS Mountain Bike Guides. No matter your ability level, we can craft unique half-day, full-day, and multi-day guided mountain bike tours for you. Book a trip with CTS to experience a thrilling ride and get a real taste for the stunning Brevard area MTB trails!
Carmichael Training Services – Guided Tours
The Adventure Fitness Guru
Guided mountain bike trips from an accomplished cyclist, personal trainer, and endurance athlete – Steven McHone. Personalized experiences highlight great trails and provide cycling instruction and fitness consulting, with optional yoga and massage therapy. Have fun and learn how to treat your body well!
http://stevenmchone.com/
Pura Vida Adventures
Full service guide company offering climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking,waterfall tours, adventure race instruction, and paddling trips. We also provide you with an opportunity to see the North Carolina mountains through any variety of these activities over one day or a series of days.
http://pvadventures.com
Wild Carolina Fly Fishing
Guided fly fishing trips from knowledgeable local angler Ross Pritchard.
https://www.facebook.com/Wildcarolinafly/
Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures
Guided mountain bike trips throughout Western NC.
www.pisgahmountainbikeadventures.com/
Pisgah Stables
Guided horseback rides throughout Transylvania County. Open seasonally April – October.
www.pisgahstables.com
Green River Adventures
Whitewater kayaking and rafting guide service.
www.greenriveradventures.com/
The Bike Farm Pisgah
Mountain bike guide and coaching service throughout DuPont and the Pisgah National Forest.
www.bikefarmpisgah.com/
Oxbow River Snorkeling
Oxbow River Snorkeling is the first company to focus on guided river snorkeling in the United States. Our mission is to provide a full scale river snorkeling adventure, while our customers create lasting memories of our ancient watershed. We have designed several tours along the upper French Broad River and its tributaries. You will see examples of different types of aquatic communities and each adventure is packed full of potential surprises around every bend! Come join us as we venture below the surface of some of the oldest rivers in the world and remember to bring your waterproof camera or GoPro!
http://www.oxbowriversnorkeling.com/
White Squirrel Paddle Boards
Check out one of the coolest outdoor experiences in Transylvania County and Western North Carolina with our totally mobile company. We bring the adventure to you! Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) offers a fun, relaxing way to play on the local rivers and lakes. Our guide brings a unique and fun experience to every outing making this an adventure that is just for you!
http://whitesquirrelpaddleboards.com/
Davidson River Outfitters
Conveniently located walking distance from Pilot Cove, this full-service fly fishing shop and guide service offers the gear, expertise, and local knowledge to make the most of your fishing experience.
http://www.davidsonflyfishing.com/
Headwaters Outfitters
Float or fish the majestic French Broad River at your leisure! Located at the confluence of the West Fork and the North Fork of the French Broad River, this full service fly fishing shop also offers guided trips, tubing rentals and shuttle service, a taproom, and canoe/kayak rentals to complete your day on the water.
http://www.headwatersoutfitters.com/
Pisgah Field School
The Pisgah Field School will introduce you to the unique recreational, natural and cultural wonders of Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest and the surrounding landscapes of the Southern Appalachians. Let us guide you around the original backyard and classroom of the Biltmore Estate through hikes, tours, and science-based workshops, while discovering the local businesses and charm of beautiful downtown Brevard, NC. Our staff and expert guides share an enthusiasm for this incredible area and will help to strengthen your appreciation for the natural world and our mountain heritage.
http://cfaia.org/pisgah-field-school-brevard-nc/
Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School
Guided rock climbing excursions and instruction.
http://foxmountainguides.com/
Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Jennifer Pharr Davis founded Blue Ridge Hiking Company to share her love and knowledge of the hiking and to expose people to the majestic beauty of the southern Appalachian mountains. Blue Ridge Hiking Company’s skilled guides hold a high degree of experience, regional knowledge, and professional expertise. We delight in working with beginners and revel in creating a challenge for more adventurous clients. Regardless of the hike’s duration and destination, our company values remain the same: “Respect for self, others, and the environment.”
http://blueridgehikingco.com/