Ridgewalk Hike
Synopsis
Following the level upper portion of the Bennet Gap trail, this is an easy hike along a ridge to some great views. Watch the forest transition as you hike and the ridge becomes drier, rockier, and narrower. This hike is suitable for children and families, and makes a great destination of its own or addition to another hike in the area.
Hike Statistics
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total Length: 1.4 mi
- Trail Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
- Climb: Few Hills
- Lowest Elevation: 3516 ft
- Highest Elevation: 3580 ft
- Total Elevation Gain: 125 ft
- Trails/Roads Used: Bennett Gap
- Hike Configuration: Out-and-back
- Starting point: Avery Creek Road (FR 477) at Bennett Gap, between the Pink Beds and the Pisgah Horse Stables
- How to Get There: From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east. Take Asheville Airport exit (exit 9) and go south (right) on NC 280 for 16 miles. At the intersection with US 64/276, turn right onto US 276 and enter the National Forest. Go 2.3 miles and turn right on gravel FR 477. Follow 477 for about 5.0 miles (it's twisty and narrow in places) to the top of the gap. The Bennett Gap trail starts on the left at an old gate; there is parking for 4-5 cars on the right.
Details
Hike Description
Begin the hike behind the metal gate. A sign for the Bennett Gap trail stands beside the old roadbed, which is now a trail. The rocky old road begins a short climb through some young woods, with lots of vines growing in the trees. Sections of the woods are open, with the ground covered by grass and ferns.
The trail is not difficult, and after about 1/4 mile it levels off before entering an open meadow on top of the ridge. This meadow is kept open by the Forest Service by mowing, in order to provide habitat for wildlife that likes open, grassy areas - or those that like to live near the edge of such openings. If you're quiet, you might see something here - perhaps a deer, rabbit, or groundhog.
Follow the trail through the meadow, and exit into the woods on the other side. The woods here are similar to the ones on the other side, and lots of ferns grow in between the trees. The trail remains nearly level at this point. Gradually, the ridge starts to steepen on either side of the trail. As this happens, watch for a noticeable change in the trees.
As you near the 1/2 mile point, the old road bed you've been following ends and the path becomes a purpose-built trail. You'll start to notice how narrow the ridge becomes. The soil is rockier here and less rich than farther back on the ridge, and the trees start to get shorter and gnarlier. More mountain laurel begins to fill in the understory. Exposure to the elements and perhaps (in the past, at least) more frequent wildfires contribute to the changing nature of this forest on this part of the ridge.
The trail goes downhill a bit and there will start to be some rocks in the path, although they're not too bad at first. You might notice a small side path heading to the right, which leads to a good view southwest. On a clear day, especially during fall or spring, it's a spectacular vista, with Looking Glass Rock and the high Balsam Mountains to the far right, and further to the left, craggy John Rock and Cedar Rock Mountain with folds of ridges leading up to it. This is a great place to enjoy a snack. If you wish, you could end the hike here - this would make a worthy destination even if you didn't go any further. Stay back from the edge - although it is not a cliff, per se, it's a steep drop over the side of the ridge.
If you wish to continue, go back to the trail and turn right, continuing downhill. This section gets a bit rockier with some steps in one spot. It goes around a short switchback. About 100 feet past that, and 0.7 miles from the trailhead, the trail goes up over a tiny knoll on the narrow ridge (though it's only about a 15 foot climb). On the left is a protruding rock below a group of pine trees. There are some more excellent views from atop this rock. To the northeast, the neighboring ridge - Black Mountain - can be seen. You can also see back toward Looking Glass Rock from here, but mainly in the winter.
This rock marks the end for this hike, although the trail continues and starts to drop steeply, eventually to come out on Avery Creek Road near the horse stables. Return to your vehicle on the same path.
View more photos in this hike's gallery.
Map
Here's an interactive GPS map of this hike. Yellow highlight indicates the route followed by this hike within the trail network. Only the trails and points of interest along the hike, and those in the immediate vicinity, are shown. For expanded maps, see this hike's Trailhead area.
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