# Pisgah National Forest: the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway

> 2-day road trip of about 75 km (46 mi) with 7 stops, from Asheville to Brevard. About 0 h 50 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b20-pisgah-forest-heritage/

**At a glance:** 2-day road trip of about 75 km (46 mi) with 7 stops, from Asheville to Brevard. About 0 h 50 min of driving in total. From Asheville over the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Pisgah and Graveyard Fields, then down US-276 past Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls to Brevard.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 75 km (46 mi) |
| Driving | 0 h 50 min |
| Suggested days | 2 |
| Stops | 7 |
| Route | Asheville → Brevard |
| States | NC |
| Updated | April 29, 2026 |

## Route description

From Asheville join the Blue Ridge Parkway south near the French Broad River and climb for about 45 minutes to Mount Pisgah at milepost 407, once part of George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore estate. The summit trail is short but steep, with a view over the forest to Cold Mountain. The Mount Pisgah campground sits at nearly 5,000 feet, one of the coolest places to camp in the South in summer.

Continue south on the Parkway to Graveyard Fields at milepost 418, named for fallen, moss-covered trunks that once looked like gravestones. Easy loops lead to Second Falls and Upper Falls, and in August the valley is full of wild blueberries. The Parkway here is often closed from late autumn to spring because of snow and ice, and has had storm closures, so check the park service road status map before you go.

Turn back to US-276 at Wagon Road Gap and descend through the forest along Looking Glass Creek. The Cradle of Forestry in America, the first forestry school in the country, has a visitor center, easy paved trails and an old logging locomotive. A few miles on, Sliding Rock is a natural waterslide with lifeguards in summer; the line moves fast, but the water is cold even in July.

Looking Glass Falls is right beside the road, with steps to its base, and there are more waterfalls on short trails nearby, including Moore Cove Falls. The byway ends in Brevard, about 90 km from Asheville. US-276 is well paved but full of curves, fine for RVs driven slowly. The Davidson River campground near the forest entrance is among the most popular in the national forest, so book ahead.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Asheville** (NC)
2. **Mount Pisgah** (Candler, NC): A 5,721-foot summit beside the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 407, climbed by a steep trail of about 1.5 miles to a platform with views over Pisgah National Forest. The Parkway here closes in snow and ice.
3. **Graveyard Fields** (Canton, NC): A high valley at Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 418 with loop trails to two waterfalls and wild blueberries in August. The overlook lot is small and fills early on summer and autumn weekends; do not park on the shoulders.
4. **Cradle of Forestry in America** (Brevard, NC): The site of the first forestry school in the US, founded in 1898 on Biltmore land, with paved trails past old cabins and a logging locomotive. Open from spring to early November; admission is charged.
5. **Sliding Rock** (Brevard, NC): A 60-foot natural waterslide of smooth rock on Looking Glass Creek, ending in a cold pool, with lifeguards and a fee in summer. The parking lot is small and closes when full; wear old shorts.
6. **Looking Glass Falls** (Brevard, NC): A 60-foot waterfall right beside US-276, seen from the roadside with steps down to the plunge pool. Parking is along the road, so arrive early in summer and on autumn weekends.
7. **Brevard** (NC)

## FAQs

**How long is Pisgah National Forest: the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway?**
2-day road trip of about 75 km (46 mi) with 7 stops, from Asheville to Brevard. About 0 h 50 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Pisgah National Forest: the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway?**
We suggest 2 days: about 0 h 50 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Pisgah National Forest: the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway start and end?**
It starts in Asheville and ends in Brevard.

**Which states does Pisgah National Forest: the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway pass through?**
North Carolina.