What we’re about
Our goal is to help you explore on foot the abundance of wonderful natural places North Carolina has to offer. If you're a beginner, we'll make sure that you never hike alone (unless you want to!). We'll also teach you how to become an intrepid hiker capable of exploring wherever (the rugged Linville Gorge Wilderness, for instance) and whenever (at night!). We're aided in our efforts to get out and explore by Great Outdoor Provision Co., which provides us space for clinics and meetings, and pays the fee for our Meetup site.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Rediscover the Unforgettable: A Midweek Adventure in BrevardBrevard, Brevard, NC
For the fifth year, Brevard celebrates the art of capturing on canvass the beauty of Western North Carolina with the Brevard Plein Air Festival. Throughout the week of September 8 – 13 downtown and surrounding areas will display both finished works and those in progress, culminating with a four-day juried event. As you take in the art, take time to take in its inspiration, with a hike, a bike ride, a trip down a river.
Join us for three guided hikes, or take advantage of the following resources to plan your own adventure. This event is sponsored by Brevard and the State of North Carolina's Rediscover the Unforgettable campaign to encourage travel tourism in Western North Carolina post Helene.
Of particular interest to our group are the three guided hikes planned: Tuesday morning to John Rock and in the afternoon at Pink Beds, and Wednesday at Sam Knob. Check out the descriptions below, then click on the link to sigh up. Additional information -- trailhead location, weather forecast, what to wear and bring -- will be provided to those who sign up.
### Hiking
- Tuesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. John Rock Hike, 4.7 miles, moderate difficulty. This lollipop loop hike starts and ends from the Fish Hatchery near the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, and includes a break atop the trail’s namesake, a rock outcrop offering stellar views. Learn more and sign up here.
- Tuesday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m., Pink Beds Loop, 5 miles, moderate difficulty. A surprisingly flat hike, this trail spends much of its time navigating a rare mountain bog, elevated in the swampy parts by strategically placed boardwalk. Learn more and sign up here.
- Wednesday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m., Sam Knob Hike, 8.7 miles, moderate difficulty. Our long hike of the week, this hike includes great views of the Shining Rock Wilderness, mountain streams, a waterfall, passage through a high-altitude Balsam Forest and more. Learn more and sign up here.
HIY (Hike it Yourself) We will have resources available to help you find and execute a hike of your choosing at a time of your choosing, on the hundreds of miles of local trail.
### Mountain Biking
There are more than 350 miles of singletrack mountain bike trail in the area. Local bike shops (there are several) are a good source of information for riding, you can also find 5 recommended rides through the Explore Brevard website, here.
### Road cycling
Prefer your trails paved? The area is rich in road cycling routes with miles of scenery. Find 5 recommended routes at the Explore Brevard website here, or check out Ride Transylvania for a map and comprehensive collection of popular routes.
### Waterfalls
Transylvania County’s slogan: The Land of Waterfalls. No kidding, there are 250 waterfalls in the county to back up those words. Some (Looking Glass Falls US 276) you can enjoy from your car. Some (Sliding Rock Falls) will take you on a wet and wild ride. Other falls (Hooker, Triple, High) are concentrated in one accessible area (DuPont State Recreational Forest). And others you may have to hike a bit to reach. In any case, you can’t visit without paying a visit to at least one; It would be rude.
Find your waterfalls here.### Tubing
We’re nearing the end of the tubing season, but that only means fewer tubers! Brevard is situated on an ideal stretch of the Davidson River: put in at the Davidson River Campground and float for an hour, hour-and-a-half to the takeout. Bring your own tube (a shuttle service is available) or rent one.
For more information on tubing in Brevard, go here.### Paddling
It’s back to the water, for a float on the French Broad River State Trail. The trail has its headwaters just above Rosman to the southwest and passes 115 miles through four North Carolina Counties before entering Tennessee northwest of Hot Springs. Along the way it offers a range of paddling and rafting options, from placid paddling at Rosman to Class IV whitewater in Madison County.
For more on the French Broad River State Trail, go here.
For more on paddling and rafting the French Broad, including access points, visit the Mountain True French Broad Paddle Trail site, here.### Lodging, Plein Air Festival, etc.
For more information on:
- Rediscover the Unforgettable: 3-Day Adventure Weekend in SylvaSylva, Sylva, NC
Sylva isn’t just the county seat of Jackson County, home to a remarkable variety of adventures in North Carolina. It’s also the county’s basecamp. From Sylva, you have quick access to hundreds of miles of escape-inducing hiking trail, challenging mountain bike trail networks, whitewater rafting, cycling – even snorkeling! You can do all this and more during Sylva’s and the State of North Carolina's Rediscover the Unforgettable Trail Sampler weekend September 12-14.
Of particular interest to our group is a 6.2-mile hike Friday morning up to The Pinnacle (see Friday, below; also, pictured above); a Forest Bathing hike Saturday (see Saturday, below); and an 8.8-mile hike Sunday morning on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from Soco Gap to Waterrock Knob and back (see Sunday, below).
Please click on the appropriate link to sign up for individual events. Doing so enables you to receive additional information about the event.
### Friday
Hike the Pinnacle in Sylva’s Pinnacle Park, 9 a.m., 6.2 miles. Jackson County Parks and Recreation leads this hike, which gains 2,000 vertical feet and is recommended “for those who have previous experience hiking, although anyone is encouraged to try.” Learn more and sign up here.
### Friday – Saturday
Mountain biking – SHREDnanigans 2025. This two-day annual festival by 7 Moons MTB includes a variety of mountain biking events, kicking off Friday with Nanigans Run-River-Ride “triathlon” and the Wheels & Thrills Bike Show, and continuing Saturday with a block party, vendor village, kids zone and live music. Learn more and sign up here.
### Saturday
Forest bathing at Pinnacle Park, 9:30 a.m. – noon. If you’ve hear of forest bathing, the Japanese practice of restoring your soul through nature, here’s your chance to check it out. This hike will be led by Mark Ellison, a certified as a forest therapy guide and forest therapy trail consultant by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Learn more and sign up here.
Whitewater Rafting on the Tuckaseegee, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. This is a family-friendly whitewater trip on Class I and II. Equipment is provided. Learn more and sign up here.
Hike the Jackson County Greenway, Sylva, 5 p.m. We wind down the day with a mellow2.3-mile walk on the Jackson County Greenway in Sylva. Learn more and sign up here.### Sunday
Hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 9 a.m., Soco Gap to Waterrock Knob, 8.8 miles. moderately challenging. On this out-and-back hike we will ascend to the highest point on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Waterrock Knob, then descend back to the trailhead. Learn more and sign up here.
### Registration
To register for specific events, click on the event. Fees apply in some cases. Registration isn't necessary for the overall event, but if you do get a ticket you will received updates on the event.
