About the neighborhood
A Few of Our Favorite Ways to Explore the Area
One of the things we love most about this part of Western North Carolina is how much there is to experience—from waterfalls and mountain hikes to pottery studios, charming small towns and quiet afternoons at the house.
Explore Gorges State Park right from the property. Our five acres border Gorges State Park, and you can hike directly from the property into the surrounding forest toward creeks, waterfalls and a swimming hole. For a bigger outing, explore more of Gorges State Park and its spectacular waterfall country.
Discover the waterfalls at Living Waters. This is one of our favorite easy outings. Park near Living Waters on NC-215 and take the short trails to a beautiful collection of waterfalls along the North Fork French Broad River. Mill Shoals and French Broad Falls are very close to the trailhead, while a lovely walk downstream leads to Cathedral Falls. It’s a lot of beauty for a relatively short hike.
Stop at Mud Dabbers Pottery. Just south of downtown Brevard, Mud Dabbers showcases pottery from dozens of local artists, with a working pottery studio next door. It’s a wonderful place to browse and find something handmade to take home.
Spend an afternoon in downtown Brevard. Wander the charming, walkable downtown streets filled with locally owned shops, galleries and restaurants. For dinner, we love Wild Morel, a distinctive restaurant in a lovely older house with seasonal Southern and European-inspired food. Big Mike’s is an easy, casual choice for pizza and wings. And don’t miss Downtown Chocolates, tucked into Times Arcade, for house-made chocolates, truffles, gelato and sorbetto.
Hike Black Balsam Knob. For one of the area’s most memorable mountain experiences, head toward the Blue Ridge Parkway and Black Balsam. The trail quickly emerges onto high, grassy mountain balds with enormous views in almost every direction. On a beautiful day, it can feel a little like walking through a scene from The Sound of Music. It’s one of our favorite recommendations for guests who want spectacular scenery without an all-day hike.
Spend a day around Cedar Mountain and DuPont. Explore the waterfalls and trails of DuPont State Recreational Forest, then stop at Cedar Mountain Cafe for breakfast or lunch. Cedar Mountain Outpost is another fun stop for coffee, casual food, drinks and occasional live music.
Get out on the river. Headwaters Outfitters offers tubing, paddling and guided fly-fishing on the Upper French Broad River—a fun option for families as well as more adventurous guests.
Explore farther afield. Lake Toxaway is nearby, while Cashiers and Highlands make beautiful mountain day trips for scenery, shops and restaurants. Asheville is also within reach for a full-day excursion—tour the Biltmore Estate, visit Sierra Nevada’s beautiful brewery and grounds, explore downtown Asheville’s galleries and shops, or plan a special meal at Cúrate, the acclaimed Spanish tapas restaurant.
Or simply stay home. Some of our favorite days here involve no itinerary at all—coffee overlooking the forest, a hike from the property, an afternoon on the deck and a fire in the evening.
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Getting around
A car is the best way to explore the area, as mountain towns, waterfalls, parks and trailheads are spread throughout the region. The drive itself is part of the experience, with winding mountain roads and beautiful scenery along the way.
Downtown Brevard is approximately 35 minutes away and offers grocery stores, restaurants, breweries, galleries and locally owned shops.
Lake Toxaway, Gorges State Park, Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest and other popular destinations are all accessible by car.
For guests arriving by air, Asheville Regional Airport is approximately 55 minutes away. A rental car is recommended for getting to the home and exploring Western North Carolina.
The home is accessible by most vehicles in normal conditions. However, AWD or 4WD is highly recommended.
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