Trails in the Davidson River Trailhead Area
Here is a list of trails in the Davidson River Trailhead area. For more information and a map (where available), click the trail name.
Andy Cove Nature Tr.
USGS/USFS Number: 288
National Recreation Trail; constructed by the Youth Conservation Corps. You'll find interpretive stations along the way. The trail rises on the hillside behind the Visitor Center and Ranger Station, and elevated walkways carry you over steep and marshy areas. There is one long, neat suspension bridge located about halfway around the loop.
Art Loeb Bypass
Short and mostly level. Follows an old roadbed.
Art Loeb Section 1
Blaze Color: White
Starting at the Davidson River Campground, the trail ascends Shut-in Ridge (not to be confused with the Shut-in Ridge near the French Broad River further north, where the long Shut-in Trail begins). It travels through Cat Gap, around the south side of Cedar Rock Mountain, and down into Gloucester Gap, marking the end of section 1.
Art Loeb Section 2
Blaze Color: White
Starting in Gloucester Gap, this section of the Art Loeb trail winds its way up the ridge extending east from Pilot Mountain before crossing over the summit. It dips down into Deep Gap and Farlow Gap before resuming its climb, up Shuck Ridge, where it crosses above 5000' in elevation. It crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway, before reaching the summit of Silvermine Bald, where it joins with the Mountains to Sea Trail and levels out considerably. This section of trail finishes with a relatively level stretch thru a spruce-fir forest, ending at Black Balsam Road and a popular parking area.
Avery Creek
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 327
Steep, rocky at north end. Logged areas. Large waterfall, hemlock and rhododendron groves. Log bridges.
Bennett Gap
Blaze Color: Red
USGS/USFS Number: 138
Excellent ridgetop views of Looking Glass Rock, Cedar Rock, and the Davidson River valley. Mixed hardwoods on wide part of ridge and in gap. Dry pine-oak forests on narrow part of ridge. Cliff-top views on ridge. Sheer drop-offs right beside the trail near intersection with Perry Cove tr.
Black Mountain
Blaze Color: White
USGS/USFS Number: 127
Long, rough trail. Incredible cliff-top views near the top. Switchbacks; needle-sharp ridgeline. Mixed hardwood forests. Rhododendron tunnels. Travels over the summit of Clawhammer and Black Mountains. I've seen the length of this trail listed anywhere from 9 to 16 miles, but my GPS says more like 7 1/2. The 9.8mi value shown here is the official Forest Service number.
Bridges Camp Gap
Buckhorn Gap
Blaze Color: Orange
USGS/USFS Number: 103
Several creek crossings on lower end. Log bridges. Cove hardwood/dense hemlock forests w/ some huge hemlocks. Intersects short spur to Twin Falls (highly recommended). Intersects Avery Creek trail. Trail has recently undergone extensive re-engineering and repairs. Beyond Twin Falls, trail is a sidehill climb on old roadbeds. Intersects & follows gravel roads to reach the Gap. Int. w/ Black Mountain trail at Buckhorn Gap.
Buck Spring
Blaze Color: White
USGS/USFS Number: 104
Travels first from the first switchback on US 276 above the Pink Beds to the Pisgah Inn. This is a gradual, pleasant climb that dips into coves & rounds the nose of many ridges with cove hardwoods in the coves and mixed hardwoods on the ridges. There are a few small stream crossings. Then travels to the Mount Pisgah parking area. This section is moderately steep and passes through the remnants of a Chestnut forest with some relatively large remaining specimens. Rest of forest is mixed high elevation hardwoods with a few hemlocks, spruces and firs. Also passes cliff-top views and the historic Buck Springs Lodge site with interpretive signs. Ends at the Mount Pisgah parking area, where you can continue on to the top of Mt. Pisgah itself or hike to Asheville via the Shut-in Trail.
Buckwheat Knob
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 122
Ridgeline trail. Passes some enormous trees. Steep climbs; rocky sections.
Butter Gap
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 123
Scenic. Starts in Pickelsimer Fields; a flat, grassy area with crystal clear streams meandering through. Typical streamside trail further along. Trailside waterfall. Stiff climb up to Butter Gap; passes headwaters of the stream.
Caney Bottom
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 361
Travels from the Cove Creek trail at Cove Creek Group Campground up Caney Bottom Creek to reconnect with Cove Creek trail near the headwaters. Makes an excellent loop when combined with the Cove Creek trail. Passes several small to medium-sized waterfalls. Climbs high up the hill above the creek in places. Some areas have tricky roots, rocks, wet areas, or stream sections. Some trail is built on old roadbeds while some is strictly trail. Beautiful, rich woods with open, fern-filled sections.
Caney Bottom Extension
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 340
Short; bypasses the Cove Creek Group Campground.
Cat Gap Bypass
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 120A
Level or gradually climbing trail swings into coves & around ridges. Mixed hardwood forest w/ some hemlocks & pines. Pleasant walk. Cuts off climb up to Cat Gap from the Cat Gap Loop. Int. w/ John Rock trail.
Cat Gap Loop
Blaze Color: Orange
USGS/USFS Number: 120
Nice loop starts and ends at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & Fish Hatchery. Described CCW. Loops around John Rock. Varied trail; forests range from cove hardwoods, to groves of hemlocks, white pine plantations, and mixed hardwoods in higher elevations. Passes waterfall near large campsite on Cedar Rock Creek. Plank & log bridges. Passes Picklesimer Fields on R. @ int. w/ Butter Gap Tr. Moderate climb up ridge. Int. w/spur loop to top of John Rock. Int. Cat Gap Bypass. Steep descent to Horse Cove follows, then other end of John Rock tr., then level walk along the Davidson River. See also John Rock Best Hike.
Cemetery Loop
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 341
Follows an old road past an old cemetery on a little plateau near the Davidson River. Lots of white pines & hemlocks, & mountain laurel groves. Pleasant little loop.
Coontree Loop
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 144
Pleaseant loop; travel in either direction. Nothing spectacular, just typical creekside, mountainside and ridgetop landscape. Loop travels up one nondescript cove and down another. Joins with Bennet Gap trail for portion along the ridge. Mostly hemlock/cove hardwood forests near the bottom, mostly oak forest near the top with plenty of mountain laurel groves.
Cove Creek
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 340
Climbs past Cove Creek Falls on an old road bed, through rich forests far above the stream, to flat areas near the headwaters and then up to Forest Service Road. Unfortunately there is no good connector from the trail to Cove Creek Falls. This is a disgrace! You'll have to take some eroded, rocky, unsigned side paths to get there but it is well worth it. Log bridges; beautiful forest and stream scenes.
Daniel Ridge Loop
Blaze Color: Red
USGS/USFS Number: 105
Fantastic loop trail. Described CW. Travels along the upper reaches of the Davidson River & then a major tributary. Follows old roadbed at lower end. Passes old fish hatchery & ruins of an old bridge. Trail narrows & clings to steep hillside above Right Fork; large, straight poplars grow in a cove hardwood forest here. At int. w/ Farlow Gap tr.; begins moderate climb thru smaller mixed hardwoods & pleasant open forests. Crests ridge; descends through logged areas moderatly steeply at times. Then travels through somewhat more level valley of hemlocks, rhododendrons, and twisted Mt. Laurels. Creek crossings; plank & log bridges. Large switchback at end as creek spills out of this level valley & over Daniel Ridge Falls; turn L. at int. w/ gravel road to reach base of falls. Turn R. to close loop.
Davidson River
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 650
Follows old FR 475. The road has been re-routed further uphill now. Level or gentle climbs, gravel surface. Davidson River is in scenic small gorge below this road at this point. Several landslides in September of 2004 sent parts of this trail sliding 100' into the river below.
Estatoe
New easy trail follows the Davidson River up from the Lowe's in Brevard to the Davidson River Campground, connecting to the city of Brevard's greenway system. Easy, nearly level trail with some nice riverside scenery. Passes a large rock cliff at one point. It has an expensive, packed/crushed gravel surface with lots of bridge structures over wet areas. Should even be accessible even to small wheels - strollers, etc. - and maybe even wheelchairs, if the wheels are big enough. (Some of the bridges might present a challenge though and I'm not sure if the small inclines would technically allow it to be called "accessible").
Farlow Gap
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 106
Described from start at Daniel Ridge Loop up to Farlow Gap.
Moderately difficult on lower end but very steep and rocky on the upper end. Passes through some beautiful mixed cove/hardwood forest scenes along Right Fork near the beginning, as it makes its way up some old railroad switchbacks. There's a tiny waterfall during wet weather which you can reach by going straight at the tip of the right-hand switchbacks. The trail then passes over the top of this waterfall as it heads away from Right Fork.
Beyond that, the trail follows an old roadbed and is nearly level, without many obstacles. It dips into coves and swings around ridges, crossing a few streams. Another small waterfall - more water but not as high - can be found just downstream from the trail at one point. The trail eventually swings left off the roadbed and downhill into the valley of Shuck Ridge Creek, where it gets narrower and rockier. It crosses the creek at the top of Shuck Ridge Creek Falls. This is a beautiful falls, but getting to the bottom safely is quite tricky.
Beyond the falls, the trail climbs and climbs - near a creek for a while, then relentlessly through the high-elevation hardwoods - over a rocky path before ending in Farlow Gap at an elevation of 4569 feet.
John Rock
Blaze Color: Yellow
Steep and rocky near upper intersection w/ Cat Gap. Travels over wide ridgeline to face of John Rock; spectacular view of Looking Glass Rock & the Pisgah Ridge near the Black Balsam Mountain area. Travels through flat areas & steep coves near lower intersection with Cat Gap. Mixed hardwood forests.
Long Branch
Blaze Color: Orange
USGS/USFS Number: 116
Interesting trail travels through some flat streamside areas near upper end & also up and over low ridges. Some muddy sections near upper end have been reinforced with puncheon and/or rock & gravel causeways. Travels through some dense stands of mountain laurel. Most stream crossings are not bridged.
Looking Glass Rock
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 114
A classic Pisgah trail. Travels first through small cove, then steeply up the back side of Looking Glass Rock through many switchbacks. Mixed cove hardwood, hardwood, and pine-oak forests. Some areas of rare Carolina hemlocks. Rock slabs. End of trail is at top of cliffs; use extreme caution (however rock at edge of forest is nearly level; watch out for moss & wet rock). Incredible views of Pisgah Ridge from Mt. Pisgah toward the Shining Rock/Black Balsam Mtn. Area & valleys below. Highly recommended.
Moore Cove
Blaze Color: Yellow
Travels beside a scenic stream to 70' free-falling Moore Cove Falls. Beautiful open cove hardwood forest with fern gardens. Several plank bridges & log causeways over wet areas. Rock outcroppings. This trail makes an excellent hike for families, and even small children can make it to the falls.
North Slope
USGS/USFS Number: 359
Loop starts and ends in the Davidson River campground. Described CCW. Follows Davidson River, then steepens & follows smaller stream up through cove. Hemlock groves near lower end. Levels at top; becomes sidehill; dips into coves & out around ridges. Interesting bridge over deep gully. Mostly mixed hardwood forest; Mt. Laurel/Rhododendron tunnels. Descends moderately to amphitheater again at campground. A must-hike if you're staying at the campground.
Pink Beds Loop
Blaze Color: Orange
USGS/USFS Number: 118
An excellent loop which travels around the bottom of a unique valley. This is the "Cradle of Forestry in America", where modern forestry techniques were first developed, taught & practiced. Trail is mostly level with a few small hills on north side of loop. Many bridged stream crossings & boggy areas with log causeways on south side of loop . Mixed forest; lots of very large White Pines & Hemlocks. Rest of forest is oaks & cove hardwoods. Unique beaver dams near outer portion of loop; trail may be flooded or bridge washed out requiring backtrack or wading river (dangerous in high water). Dying forest in this area due to flooding; interesting transition. Very large fern gardens & open woods near outer end of loop. Rhododendron & Mtn. Laurel tunnels on N. Side. Near parking area, pass through wildlife fields. Mountains to Sea Trail cuts across center of loop, for possible shorter loop.
Seniard Ridge
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 609
Slick Rock Falls
Blaze Color: Yellow
Very short path climbs moderately steeply up to small falls. Continues uphill to base of Looking Glass Rock. Stay away from very slippery rocks near top of falls. Animals frequently slide down this rock and over the falls to their deaths.
Sycamore Cove
Blaze Color: Blue
USGS/USFS Number: 143
Travels up & down through coves near small streams; cove hardwood forests. In between, travels sidehill near the top of the ridge w/ a mixed hardwood forest.
Twin Falls
Blaze Color: Yellow
USGS/USFS Number: 604
Short trail travels through cove hardwood forests to Twin Falls. Logging railroad remnants. Highly recommended.
Wagon Road Gap
Blaze Color: Orange
USGS/USFS Number: 134
Climbs from the Mills River up to Wagon Road Gap on the Turkey Pen Gap trail through a pleasant cove forest. It enables the only (day hike) loop from the Turkeypen trailhead parking using the Turkey Pen Gap trail.
The bottom-most portion passes through what was once a dense, dark, open hemlock grove, now mostly dead. Shortly up from this is a muddy, wide crossing of the main tributary branch, where it's difficult to keep your feet dry despite the stream's small size. Another side tributary has a small log bridge, but it is slippery, moss-covered, rotten, and about ready to collapse. Further up, the forest is mostly hardwoods with some large, straight Tuliptrees. Hemlocks, which were slowly making inroads against the hardwoods in the cove, become less prominent further up in elevation, and are mostly dead as well - although a few looked inexplicably healthy on my last hike. The trail is somewhat faint but still obvious as it climbs straight up the fall line and directly into the drainage of the diminishing stream, before reaching the gap.
