The Forest Heritage Scenic Byway is a 76.7-mile loop in Western NC that passes through Pisgah National Forest.
It’s just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at one end, and close to the mountain town of Brevard at the other.
This stunning tree-lined journey is dotted with endless hiking trails, picnic spots, swimming holes, and some of our favorite North Carolina waterfalls.
My husband Jonathon and I have driven the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway several times, and it’s one of our favorite scenic roads in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There are some great campgrounds in the area that make a great base for your adventures. And the Byway is beautiful for all throughout the year, from colorful wildflowers in the Spring to red and golden leaves in Autumn.
Read on for our in-depth guide to this National Scenic Byway, including all the best campgrounds, hiking trails, waterfalls, historic sites, and other attractions!
READ MORE: Fall in North Carolina: 25 Great Places to See Fall Colors in NC
Places to Stay in Brevard NC
- Foggy Bottom Cabins (in Pisgah Forest, quiet cozy cottages & family rooms w/kitchens, good value)
- Holiday Inn Express – (IHG Hotel close to downtown Brevard, w/pool, view & good breakfast)
- Hampton Inn (pet-friendly, pool, microwave, fridge, & good breakfast)
- Comfort Inn & Suites (good value, good showers & good breakfast)
- Healing Acres Brevard (1bd 700 sq ft yurt w/kitchen, W/D, A/C & treetop deck)
- Luxurious 4bd 2ba house in Downtown Brevard (pet-friendly w/no extra charges)
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway Guide
- Looking Glass Falls
- Moore Cove Falls
- Sliding Rock Falls
- Sunburst Falls
- Wildcat Falls
- Little Bird Falls
- Pink Beds
- Lake Logan
- Shining Rock Wilderness
- Cradle of Forestry
- Davidson River Campground
- Sunburst Campground
READ MORE: Visiting Deerwoode Reserve Cabin Rentals in Brevard NC
Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway Map
How to Get to the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
Directions from Brevard
Take Highway 276 West out of Brevard and travel west through Pisgah National Forest. This is a great place to start your drive, as the Ranger Station (where you can gather lots of info for your trip) is just 1.5 miles along the Byway. Looking Glass Falls is also just 6 miles in, and it’s truly a showstopper.
Directions from Waynesville
From Waynesville, head along 276 East until you hit Highway 215 South from Bethel NC. Turn right onto Highway 215, heading towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the first attractions you will see is Lake Logan, followed by the roadside Sunburst Falls.
Directions from Rosman
There are two ways to reach the Byway from Rosman. You can either take Highway 215 North towards the Blue Ridge Parkway, or travel along Highway 64 East towards Brevard. The Sunburst Campground is just 45 minutes away, and is a great place to stop for the night.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Brevard NC for Foodies
Waterfalls on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
1. Looking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls is simply a stunning waterfall by any measure, but it’s especially noteworthy because it can be seen right from the roadside.
The only issue is that it’s so popular, there’s often a whole line of cars parked along the road. On busy weekends and holidays, visitors may need to walk a bit in order to see it.
This 60-foot waterfall can be enjoyed from the lookout platform right along the road, or you can descend the stairs for a closer look.
If you do, be prepared to get wet from the spray as the waterfall plunges into the Davidson River!
READ MORE: The Top 20 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)
2. Moore Cove Falls
Just along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway just one mile north of Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls is special because you can walk behind it and watch the 50-foot cascade before you.
You can reach this 50-foot waterfall by taking a 3/4-mile hike, which meanders over a wooden bridge and along a relatively easy trail.
This is a lovely waterfall hike the whole family can enjoy.
READ MORE: The 33 Best Western North Carolina Waterfalls for Hiking
3. Sliding Rock Falls
Sliding Rock is a very popular Pisgah National Forest waterfall, and is a perennial favorite along the Byway.
During Summer days, this natural waterslide is staffed by lifeguards, who assist sliders at the top and bottom of the slide.
Once you’ve set off from the top, sliders plunge into an 8-foot-deep pool, where the water remains pretty chilly even during the hottest “dog days.”
Once you’ve made your way out of the pool, you’ll be eager to do it all over again. But note that the lines can get fairly long on busy weekends and holidays.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Waynesville NC & Haywood County
4. Sunburst Falls
Located near Lake Logan in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Sunburst Falls can be found on the Highway 215 leg of the Byway.
This is another roadside waterfall, making it ideal for family outings and picnics.
Water from this fall flows over several tiers and through a historic bridge (which was built in 1937) before tumbling into the valley below.
The view of the bridge from the water is stunning, with a popular swimming hole at the bottom. But note that it does require a slippery scramble down the hill to reach it.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Smoky Mountain Waterfalls to Visit
5. Wildcat Falls
If you want to visit Wildcat Falls, it’s best to do so after a good rain. Otherwise you might be met with just a trickle.
Visitors to this 60-foot-tall Forest Heritage Scenic Byway waterfall must navigate a fairly easy, 1.5-mile round-trip trail along Flat Laurel Creek.
Eventually you’ll come to a concrete bridge that the waterfall passes under.
This is also a great viewing spot for those who are unable to clamber down to the base of Wildcat Falls.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall
6. Little Bird Falls
Another waterfall treat located along Highway 215, Little Bird Falls is a stunning cascade that flows over vibrantly colored mossy rocks.
Located just 5.7 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Little Bird Falls can be seen right from the road in Winter. But it requires a little hike in the Spring and Summer months.
Note that there is no well-marked trail, so the short hike to it is NOT for anyone who’s not steady on their feet.
But due to the lack of foot traffic, this is a wonderfully pristine area, and a great place to spot wildflowers!
READ MORE: The 25 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Waterfalls in North Carolina
Attractions on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
7. Pink Beds
If you don’t consider chasing waterfalls a requirement for hiking, Pink Beds offers a great family-friendly hiking trail on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
The 5.1-mile loop trail is relatively flat, with walkways over the boggy parts. We saw folks out on the trail with their toddlers and dogs, all having a great time.
This trail was named for the abundance of pink North Carolina wildflowers that show off throughout the year, from Swamp Pink in the Spring to the showy Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron in Summer.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Brevard NC & Transylvania County
8. Lake Logan
Located on the Pigeon River near Candler NC and the Shining Rock Wilderness, Lake Logan has a long and complicated history.
Back in the 1930s, the Champion Lumber Mill clear-cut almost all the trees in the area. After the sawmill relocated, the valley was eventually dammed (burying the small town) and Lake Logan was formed as an executive retreat.
Despite its tumultuous past, Lake Logan a beautiful 260-acre North Carolina mountain lake retreat owned by the Episcopal Church, but open to all visitors.
Many of the cabins in the property’s Sit ‘n’ Whittle section were relocated from Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1900s, and are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Romantic Getaways in NC (Hotels, Inns & Resorts)
9. Shining Rock Wilderness
The Shining Rock Wilderness is NC’s largest Wilderness Area. This area boasts three peaks that exceed 6,000 feet, with others coming in at over 5,000 feet.
From the Shining Rock Ledge, hikers are rewarded with stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There are 3 access points to the area that lead to a network of North Carolina hikes.
The Art Loeb and Ivestor Gap trails lead into the wilderness area, and are relatively easy. With its trailhead located by the Big Easy Fork River by Hwy. 276, this trail starts off easy, but soon becomes a more difficult hike.
READ MORE: The Best Outdoor Gear for Camping & Hiking
10. Cradle of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard NC marks the birthplace of forestry in the USA.
Founded in 1898 by Carl A. Schenck, a German Ph.D., the site was originally known as the Biltmore Forest School and served to manage the 100,000-plus acres of forests around the Biltmore Estate.
Now a popular destination on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, the site includes a heritage museum, historic buildings, self-guided tours, a classic train, hiking and walking trails, and special events throughout the year.
READ MORE: The 12 Best Brevard Breweries & Cideries to Visit
Campgrounds on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
11. Davidson River Campground
Accessed via US-276, the Davidson River Campground is, in our experience, the perfect base for all of your Forest Heritage Scenic Byway adventures.
In addition to boasting many of its own attractions, this campground is in a prime location for exploring all of the surrounding waterfalls and Pisgah National Forest hiking trails.
The campground is located right on the river, just half a mile from the Pisgah Ranger Station & Visitor Center.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Pisgah National Forest Camping Guide
12. Sunburst Campground
This Pisgah National Forest campground can be found between the Shining Rock Wilderness and Middle Prong Wilderness, right off NC-215.
It’s just down the street from Sunburst Falls, which often attracts afternoon dippers looking for a NC swimming hole, and offer 9 primitive campsites on a first come, first served basis.
Hiking and biking around this site is encouraged, and there are opportunities for great trout fishing just down the road.
The Blue Ridge Mountain town of Canton is just 15 miles away, with lots of restaurants and places where you can stock up on groceries and other camping essentials. -by Emma Gallagher
