Scenic Byway: 65-mile route winds through the Pisgah National Forest
North Carolina's Forest Heritage Scenic Byway winds for 65 miles through the heart of the half-million-acre Pisgah National Forest, and during the fall foliage season it is one of the most beautiful drives in the mountains.
The byway is one of only four in the state to be named a national scenic byway, the highest designation a route can receive, due to its proximity to the birthplace of the U.S. Forest Service. The byway begins on U.S. 276 at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, near the town of Brevard.
Established in 1861, Brevard is the Transylvania County seat and was named for Ephraim Brevard, a surgeon who in 1775 drafted the Mecklenburg Resolves, a famous resolution that called for independence from Britain a full year before the Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence. A U.S. Forest Service information center lies two miles north of the forest entrance.
Continue on U.S. 276 north for three miles to the Pisgah Forest National Fish Hatchery, which raises trout and releases them into mountain streams. Just past the hatchery, visitors can stop and marvel at the beauty of Looking Glass Falls. The 85-foot wall of water is named after nearby Looking Glass Rock, a mountain of white granite whose massive sheer sides reflect sunlight when wet like a giant mirror.
Travel north 2.5 miles and pass the popular Sliding Rock Falls, a section of Looking Glass Creek with a slippery rock bed that gently slopes downhill for 60 feet before plunging into a deep, clear pool. A nearby bathhouse provides the many visitors who flock there with a place to change into swimming clothes for a cool slide down the falls.
Three miles north of Sliding Rock Falls is the Cradle of Forestry. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Carl A. Schenck — forest supervisor for George Vanderbilt's 100,000-acre Biltmore Forest — the Cradle of Forestry is the birthplace of scientific forestry and forestry education. The Pink Beds, an upland bog with a dense growth of pink rhododendrons and laurels, lies a quarter of a mile north of the Cradle of Forestry, along with a picnic area.
About four miles from the Pink Beds is the first of two Blue Ridge Parkway crossings. The first crossing is at Wagon Road Gap, where vehicles once crossed the mountain on the trail from Brevard to the Pigeon River Gorge and Tennessee. Just past the crossing, the Shining Rock Wilderness begins. Accessible only by foot trails, its 18,500 acres comprise the heart of Pisgah National Forest.
Follow U.S. 276 north for another 14 miles through rural mountain villages to the farming community of Bethel. At the stoplight, turn left onto N.C. 215 and travel south six miles past small farms and waterfalls to the small community of Sunburst, which lies along the shores of Lake Logan in the shadow of Cold Mountain. This is the fictional setting of the popular book and movie "Cold Mountain."
Continue for 12 miles through dense forest to the second Blue Ridge Parkway crossing, then another 8.5 miles to the community of Balsam Grove near Balsam Lake. The lake feeds into the French Broad River, which was named for the French who inhabited the territory during the 18th century. The last eight miles of the byway parallel the North Fork of the river before ending at the intersection of N.C. 215 and U.S. 64 near Rosman.
For maps and descriptions of all 54 scenic byways in North Carolina, visit ncdot.gov/~scenic.
Take the ride
If you're itching to get out and see the fall color or just to cruise around the mountains, here are some other favorite drives shared by readers of the WNC Travel Guide. Note that distances are approximate and maps always come in handy.
From Bryson City: Take U.S. 19 south to U.S. 19-74. Travel on U.S. 19-74 approximately 23 miles until you arrive in Topton. Turn north on U.S. 129, taking you 22 miles past Santeetlah Lake and across the Tennessee Line to Deal's Gap. Turn onto the Foothills Parkway, traveling 17 miles until you intersect with U.S. 321. Take U.S. 321 through Townsend to Pigeon Forge where you will turn south on U.S. 321-441. U.S. 321-441 becomes U.S. 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After about 40 miles you're in Cherokee, where you will pick up U.S. 19 South back to Bryson City. Plan for a full day's ride.
From Sylva: Take U.S. 23-74 about 14 miles to Waynesville. Exit on to U.S. 276 South, which will intersect with Main Street. Turn right on Main Street, go to the third stoplight and turn left. Continue following U.S. 276 about 22 miles out of town until you arrive the intersection of N.C. 215 and N.C. 110, 215 turns right, 210 to your left. N.C. 215 will take you past Cold Mountain and Sunburst Trout Farms. After 18 miles N.C. 215 will meet up with the Blue Ridge Parkway (which can be taken past Tanassee Bald back to U.S. 23-74). Or continue on N.C. 215 and additional 16 miles where you intersect with U.S. 64. Turn west toward Cashiers, then take N.C. 107 north back to Sylva.
From Waynesville: Take Exit 24 off Interstate 40 onto N.C. 209. Travel north through Crabtree, Fines Creek and the Pisgah National Forest for approximately 36 miles until you arrive in Hot Springs. To return go back on N.C. 209, or detour on to N.C. 63 in Trust. N.C. 63 will take you about 28 miles into northwest Asheville, where you can meet up with I-40 and travel about 25 miles back to Waynesville. The trip to Hot Springs will take approximately an hour.
From Franklin: Take U.S. 23-441 to U.S. 64. Travel west on U.S. 64, passing Dry Falls and Cullasaja Falls, about 20 miles until you arrive in Highlands. Continue on through Cashiers 20 miles, past Sapphire Valley. Just past Sapphire, turn onto N.C. 281 South and go 10 miles to Whitewater Falls just before the South Carolina line. Back track home or take the long way by taking U.S. 64 about 21 miles past Lake Toxaway to Brevard. From Brevard take U.S. 276 about 22 miles to S.C. 11, which will go about 40 miles before meeting up with S.C. 183 near Walhalla. From S.C. 183 hop on North S.C. 107 leading back to Cashiers. U.S. 64 leads from Cashiers to Franklin. Bring a jacket as higher elevations provide for cooler temperatures.
From Waynesville: Take U.S. 276 south 40 miles toward Brevard, passing the Cradle of Forestry, Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls. Intersect with U.S. 64 east toward Hendersonville. Go about 30 miles passing through Hendersonville, continuing on about 15 miles to Bat Cave. Pick up U.S. 74-A traveling eight miles and passing Chimney Rock. Stop at Lake Lure and pop in for refreshment at the biker friendly Margarita Grill. Return the way you came, or take U.S. 74-A 28 miles toward Asheville where you will intersect with Interstate 40 or the Blue Ridge Parkway. Go another 28 miles until you can pick up U.S. 23-74 back to Waynesville.
