JG and I just spent the most wonderful week of hiking in the Pisgah National Forest. Located just south of Asheville, NC this area has a little something for everyone – hikers, bikers, fishermen, swimmers, as long as you enjoy the outdoors, you will have a good time here.
We made our base in the quaint town of Hendersonville, a town of 13,000 but feels like a real city with over 130 restaurants and a downtown filled with delightful shops. The first thing we noticed were the bears – no not the ones you find in the forest, but the bear art that is everywhere downtown.
This has become a retirement community for very active seniors, we saw a lot of white hair on the trails. But there were plenty of young families out too.
First day of hiking was to Dupont Forest where the waterfalls were the main attraction.
Of course if you want a view and you don’t want to put much effort into it – Jump Off Rock is the place to go.
Day 2 we headed to Flat Rock and hiked the trails around the Carl Sandburg Home.
The view was blocked by the trees, but we did see some wild turkeys.
A quick trip to Brevard, yielded a glimpse at a white squirrel (which I had never before seen).
Okay that last shot is just me being silly.
Also saw these sites while walking around downtown Brevard.
The last day, we did our most challenging hike to John’s Rock – located near a fish hatchery, this is named for all the workers who helped build parks for the CCC during the Roosevelt administration.
Walking through what is considered a rain forest, and crossing the creek on log bridges, 
you arrive on top of the world.
Our timing could have been better, because as soon as we got to the top, we could see some weather headed our way.
And, sure enough, we ended up walking the 1.7 miles back down in the rain. We had towels and clean clothes in the car, it was a warm day, and we actually ended up enjoying it.
Life is always an adventure with this guy by my side.
What a trip! Some great hikes, and Brevard looks like a really cute town. I loved the crosswalk!
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Brevard was cute, but Hendersonville was definitely the better of the two.
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Love this! Definitely a place I’d want to visit as well. Glad you guys had fun! I love walking in a warm rain – one of the joys of summer.
Deb
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My first hike in rain and it was great!
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You two do have fun together – it’s so lovely to see!
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Thanks Pauline!
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Gorgeous photos! I’m always happy to encounter waterfalls on a hike – or the bike – but the crosswalk with the piano keys is my favourite!
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Brevard College is evidently a music college, I thought those keys were so cool!
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A cool and creative way to dress up a crosswalk 😎
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Nothing like walking in the warm rain in a rain forest! Asheville, NC is so lovely and the surrounding mountains and forests are spectacular. Thanks for taking us along again.
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Thanks Janis, always happy to have you join me!
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Some excellent shots here – none better than the crowd on the edge of the waterfall
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Thanks Derrick!
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So much to love, and I cannot wait to visit!
Love the piano key crosswalk, the turkeys, and the story of the maiden who jumped off the rock. Reminds me of the similar story in Natural Tunnel State Park.
What a fab trip!
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It really was a cool place, I know you would love it.
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Hi, Karen – Although I’ve never been to North Carolina before, the places in your photos seem strangely familiar — like I have been there.I’ll need to put my thinking cap on about this. Thank you for sharing ‘Hiking Heaven. It looks amazing!
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Thanks Donna, we are fortunate to live near some beautiful mountains, waterfalls, rivers – it’s outdoor heaven!
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I’m glad you liked the hiking in Asheville, it is beautiful around here. John’s rock is one of my favorites.
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We love the Asheville area, this was the first time on John’s Rock, can’t wait to come back and explore more.
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