When planning a trip to Western North Carolina, most people expect to find fantastic hiking, mountain biking and fishing. What they don’t know is that hidden in Transylvania County, about 40 minutes south of Asheville, is one of the greatest natural wonders in the Southeast, an unimaginable abundance of waterfalls.
Waterfalls
Because of its unique geography, Transylvania County, The Land of Waterfalls, has approximately 250 beautiful cascades within just a few square miles. Ranging in size from the thunderous 400 foot drop of Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains, to the tranquil beauty of Moore Cove, which you can walk behind. The diversity of waterfalls in Transylvania County truly defies belief.
Perhaps the most well known of the county’s falls is Looking Glass, a handicapped-accessible 60-foot cascade located next to U.S. 276. If you’re willing to do a little hiking, however, you’ll be amazed by the power of Triple Falls and High Falls, and the eerie serenity of the mountain-top Bridal Veil Falls.
More than a third of Transylvania is covered by Pisgah National Forest, Gorges State Park and DuPont State Forest, which means there are countless other wonders to explore. The county has hundreds of miles of trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The world-class rock climbing and fishing in Transylvania have received accolades in numerous national magazines.
We have 14 summer camps in Transylvania County.
Transylvania is also home to The Cradle of Forestry in America and the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, which provide year round fun and educational opportunities for both children and adults. These one-of-a-kind attractions offer interactive exhibits, educational trails, and workshops on everything from snakes to wetlands to bird watching.
The town of Brevard, Transylvania’s county seat, has a refreshing variety of shops, antique stores, art galleries and restaurants. Brevard also has two truly extraordinary surprises that one would never expect to find in a small mountain town, the Brevard Music Center and Brevard College’s Paul Porter Center for Performing Arts. Throughout the year, these venues produce world-class jazz and classical concerts, musicals and operas, attracting renowned performers such as vocalist Marilyn Horne and Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart.
Between its incredible diversity of activities, and a landscape distinguished by an extraordinary concentration of waterfalls, Transylvania is far more than just a quaint Appalachian community. Whether you’re looking for fun and adventure, peace and quiet, or a little bit of both, any mountain vacation would be incomplete without a visit to one of the state’s greatest natural wonders, The Land of the Waterfalls. For more information visit www.visitwaterfalls.com, or call 1-800-648-4523.
Cycling
Transylvania County is home to some of the finest cycling in North America.
But don’t take our word for it. Pick up a cycling magazine or eavesdrop on any conversation between serious bikers and you’ll hear Transylvania mentioned in the same breath as Whistler and Moab for its diversity of cycling opportunities.
Everything You Need to Know About Road and Mountain Biking in Transylvania County
Here at Deer Ridge we can help. President and co-owner Jim Kolisch is an avid century rider and mountain biker and regularly participates in many of Western North Carolina’s top rides. There are many to choose from including Transylvania County’s Assault on the Carolinas and Henderson County’s Fletcher Flyer. Organized Road Rides in the Brevard Area
Road biking in the Transylvania/Brevard area offers two types of rides. Rolling hills and valleys for a more relaxed ride; plus if you like, the challenge of mountain climbs with scenic views. Come back soon to see a suggested list of road rides including Jim’s favorites while visiting Transylvania County.
Mountain biking thrill seekers get an adrenaline rush courtesy of steep climbs and gnarly single track down hills in Pisgah National Forest, which is home to the nationally recognized Black Mountain trail and Bennett Gap. If you are looking for a ride that encompasses natural roller coaster topography, then DuPont State Recreational Forest is for you with over 93 miles of trails DuPont has something for every rider. Best Trail Rides in DuPont State Forest
Offering Bike Friendly Homes Throughout Brevard & Transylvania County
We have several homes that we class as “Bike Friendly.” This means the home has adequate outdoor wash areas to clean your bike after a ride and sufficient garage space to securely store you bike. If you take a day off, you can feel safe leaving your bike at home for the day. We have all stayed at hotels and bed and breakfasts where we have to carried our bike in the elevator to our room, it’s not fun!
Call us today to learn more about which homes may suit your biking needs. Need help or suggestions? Come and stay and start enjoying the Transylvania/Brevard area from a cyclists point of view.
Interested in buying property near DuPont State Forest?
Call TODAY: (828) 862-8134
Hiking
With over 1000 miles of trails in Transylvania County, where do you start? Our hiking guide will provide you with ample information to assist you as you decide where to hike. For your convenience we will define trails by difficulty, length, and beauty. Below we have some links set up just for you! Please check them out and find ample information to plan out your adventures. Here in Brevard we are all about putting away the IPads, cell phones, etc and getting outside!
Hiking In Pisgah National Forest
Valuable information:
Wikiloc – Wikiloc is a free on-line GPS trail mapping service (free to upload anyway). Once you’ve set up an account they will charge you a one time fee of $3.99 to download GPS or Garmin coordinates to your device.
Trail Map – The best trail map of all the trails within Transylvania County is the National Geographic, Trails Illustrated Map for the Pisgah Ranger District. This map can be ordered on-line or purchased from many Brevard / Pisgah Forest merchants.
SAFETY – Please do not ignore warning signs on the trails! They are usually there because of a past, often fatal, accident. Be mindful of the top areas of waterfalls, they may look easy to navigate but this is one area where appearances are absolutely deceiving. When biking, always wear headgear – it saves more lives than you can imagine. When out on the trails, at a minimum, bring water and a flashlight.
Fishing
Best trout fishing on the East Coast
Western North Carolina Mountain creeks and streams are famous for having some of the best trout waters on the East Coast. Come and stay just South of Asheville and enjoy the peaceful waters during the day and relax in one of our homes in the evening. We offer great rates and have cabins and cottages or a luxury home to suit all your needs.
The most famous is The Davidson River which can be reached from some of our homes in as little as five minutes and from all within 15 minutes. If you are looking for challenging fly-fishing, this river has all the right components. Located in Transylvania County, just west of Brevard, the Davidson ranges in size from a medium-sized creek to a floatable river.
The river includes a catch and release, fly-fishing only section and holds some trophy trout for the experienced angler. Most of these fish are very accustomed to fishermen as well as the flies they try to pawn off as naturals. General patterns typically do not produce, though presentation is certainly more important to these educated fish. Accessibility is not limited, as parking is available on the roadside at consistent intervals.
This area also includes one of the state’s fish hatcheries and a wildlife education center. Included in Orris’s ranking as one of the top 100 trout streams in the country. Spectacular hatches occur here in the warmer months.
So pick up the phone today and call Deer Ridge 828-862-8134 and organize a fly-fishing trip in the NC mountains. We will also help you connect with local guides who have the inside knowledge of all the best fishing spots. The two main outfitters that operate in the area are Davidson River Outfitters and Headwaters Outfitters.
Music and Arts
Brevard and Transylvania County provide a wonderful backdrop for your cultural experience. Here are just a few of our favorite things to do while staying here in Brevard. Click here to see the Community Arts and Entertainment Calendar
For three quarters of a century, The Brevard Music Center has brought together today’s most celebrated musical talents and tomorrow’s brightest stars for seven weeks on its lush 150-acre campus. The results are, to put it simply, legendary. In the past, Brevard Music Center has welcomed such names as Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma and Renee Fleming. Each year, the Festival features over eighty incomparable performances ranging from eclectic jazz to Broadway musicals to epic operas. A full schedule, performer and ticketing information can be found at Brevard Music Center.
The Paul Porter center
Nestled on the idyllic campus of Brevard College, the Paul Porter Center for the Performing Arts is an acoustic marvel of a theater with a regular schedule of top-tier events. The Porter Center stage spotlights the Brevard College Theater and Music Departments, the Brevard Philharmonic, and the Transylvania Choral Society. In recent years, the Porter Center has hosted performances by Harry Belafonte, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and The Capitol Steps, as well as Brevard Music Festival affiliated concerts. For more information about the upcoming season at the Porter Center, visit The Porter Center.
The Flat Rock Playhouse
The Playhouse’s dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a ten-show professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; performances and cabaret series by the YouTheatre; year-round classes and workshops for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 90,000 patrons annually and is a major contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina. Visit Flat Rock Playhouse.
Contact Deer Ridge Property Management today to learn more about the Brevard Area and things to do while staying in one of or vacation rentals.
Art Gallaries
With nine galleries in charming, pedestrian-friendly downtown Brevard and nearly two dozen in close driving distance, Transylvania County offers an exceptional range of fine arts and handicrafts from local, regional and national artists. Regular events and Fourth Friday Gallery walks from April to December provide visitors the opportunity to explore the very latest of what Transylvania County’s visual artists have to offer. For more information on where you may find the next Picasso or a one-of-a-kind ceramic pitcher (or both), visitTransylvania Community Arts Council for area art gallery information.
Downtown Brevard, NC
Transylvania County is full of wonderful communities & towns for visitors to explore!
Brevard, NC is a small town with a large impact. The residents are friendly and eager to show off their coolest small town, With the many retail stores, fabulous restaurants and host of events, Brevard is a true destination.
learn more about things to do in Brevard
Lying in the outskirts of Transylvania are several communities including Pisgah Forest, Lake Toxaway, Cedar Mountain and much more.
There are several developments spread throughout the county. One community in particular are where a majority of our properties are located: Connestee Falls.
Real Estate
For more than a decade Deer Ridge and our strategic partner Team Billy Harris, with Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS®, has helped hundreds of families buy and sell their vacation homes, primary residences, and investment properties in Western NC. This team of sales professionals know the market better than anybody else. We look forward to helping you find your perfect home!
General Information
Western North Carolina Mountain Activities
Everything you can do in Brevard NC
Appalachian Mountain Institute
Headwaters Outfitters
Backcountry Outdoors
WNC Adventure Tours
Miller’s Land of Waterfall Tours
Davidson River Outfitters
Brevard Rock Gym
Blue Ridge Corn Maze
The Cradle of Forestry
Brevard Music Center
Brevard Little Theater
The Biltmore Estate
The Carl Sandburg Home
DuPont State Forest
Pisgah National Forest
Gorges State Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
Caesar’s Head State Park
Local Artists
Restaurants
Utility Contact Information
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NATURAL GAS
(Within City Limits) |
PSNC ENERGY | 1-877-776-2427 |
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ELECTRIC
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DUKE ENERGY | 1-800-877-9898 |
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ELECTRIC
(Some Connestee Properties) |
HAYWOOD ELECTRIC | (828) 966-4215 |
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TELEPHONE
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COMPORIUM | (828) 884-9011 |
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INTERNET
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COMPORIUM | (828) 884-9011 |
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CABLE TV
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COMPORIUM | (828) 884-9011 |
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WATER & TRASH PICKUP
(Within City Limits) |
PUBLIC WATER WORKS | (828) 884-4123 |
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WATER & SEWER
(Connestee & Sherwood Only) |
TRANSYLVANIA UTILITIES | 1- 800-348-2383 |
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PROPANE GAS
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FREEMAN GAS | (828) 883-3230 |