Guest Author - Jessica Hoffmann
The mountains of North Carolina are famous for the Blue Ridge Parkway and the expansive views it provides, but a drive from Brevard, North Carolina to Waynesville, North Carolina along Route 276 yields some unexpected treasures.
Leave Brevard with a full tank of gas and a full tummy, so you can take your time on this fabulous mountain drive. The route to Waynesville is only 40 miles, but make sure to take the time to get out of the car and drink in the scenery.
276 heads northwest out of the town of Pisgah Forest and into Pisgah National Forest, winding along the Davidson River, where you will see cyclists, fly fishermen and moss-covered stone bridges.
Picnic areas and day hikes dot the road. A jam-packed parking area with camera toting tourists is likely to signal a roadside attraction like Looking Glass Falls or Sliding Rock, or even a black bear sighting.
The Forest Discovery Center and The Pink Beds offer a great piece of Appalachian History with plenty of room to stroll. In leaf season, the forest feels like a wonderland of colorful, fall foliage in every direction, and it is worth it to drive slowly so as to best share the road with bikers and animals and take in the sights.
At dawn and dusk, many hunters are heading into the woods, so a brightly colored jacket or hat is a safe bet when heading down trails. The temperature begins to drop as 276 climbs up to its junction with The Blue Ridge Parkway around 4400 feet. As you drop back down towards Cruso, North Carolina, you will see some of the panoramic views that make Pisgah National Forest famous.
You will pass the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, where travelers along the Art Loeb Trail often end their journey. As you wind your way down the mountains, you pass the tiny town of Cruso, dotted with stone cottages, small campgrounds, and Appalachian farms. This tiny town along the Pigeon River was made famous by the movie Cold Mountain, but the pastoral scenery has changed little due to the fame.
As you leave the forest and head north into Waynesville, you pass immaculate homes and historic buildings. This is a true Main Street sort of town, with adorable shops and restaurants worth perusing before finishing off the day.
