Day trip paradise: What to know about Western NC's Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
There are 62 scenic byways in North Carolina. Some of Western North Carolina's most famous include the Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount Mitchell Scenic Drive.
There is another one closeby worth checking out: The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway starts in Brevard and leads drivers to scenic locations like Looking Glass Falls.
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway winds through about 64 miles of scenic WNC, passing through the Pisgah National Forest and intersecting the Blue Ridge Parkway and Waterfall Byway along the way.
Like the parkway, the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway area is chock full of things to do and see. Here's your guide.
More: Bucket list scenic byways: See where the Blue Ridge Parkway ranks
More: Should Blue Ridge Parkway have National Historic Landmark designation? What to know.
Where is the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway?
A dedicated page on Scenicbyways.info states that the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is 64 miles in length, a drive of around two hours. Beginning in Brevard and ending in Rosman, the road features areas perfect for recreation and scenic views including Sliding Rock, Pink Beds bog, several waterfalls and plenty more.
According to Romanticasheville.com, elevation of the byway ranges from around 2,100-5,340 feet.
More: US Forest Service sets spring reopening date for Catawba Falls
Things to do on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
It would be easy to turn a two-hour drive of the byway into a weekend trip. Here are a few of the many options for enjoying the area:
Hiking - With most of the byway winding through Pisgah National Forest, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of hiking options available along the way. Enjoy waterfall hikes including Twin Falls and Moore Cove Falls, the unique bog environment of Pink Beds Loop and many more.
Camping - Hoping to stay the night? Enjoy the river-adjacent Davidson Campground or former logging camp Sunburst Campground.
Swimming - The byway also includes multiple swimming options, including the waterfall swimming hole at Looking Glass Falls and the famous naturally formed Sliding Rock.
Picnicking - Enjoy picnicking and river access at Coontree Picnic Area, Sycamore Flats Picnic Shelter and plenty more directly along the byway's path through the forest.
Culture & education - Driving the byway is also an excellent chance to learn about the area's rich natural and cultural history through institutions like the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the Cradle of Forestry.
What is a scenic byway?
To be designated a National Scenic Byway by the US Department of Transportation, a byway must meet the criteria for at least one of the following six "intrinsic qualities":
Archeological
Cultural
Historic
Natural
Recreational
Scenic
The dedicated webpage says that these features contributing to the distinctive characteristics of the corridor’s intrinsic quality should be recognized throughout the region, and considered regionally significant. In other words, National Scenic Byways are known for having something for everyone.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC road trip: Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, Pisgah National Forest
