Plateau Magazine June-July 2023

outdoors
Mountain bikers in
Nantahala National Forest.
Panthertown Valley
Cashiers, NC
While Panthertown Valley is acclaimed for
its remote backcountry hikes and waterfalls
spread over 9,000-acres, several of the
trails through the valley are, in fact, open
to bikes, while others remain only open to
hikers. One of the more recent additions to
Nantahala National Forest in the 1990’s,
Panthertown’s history traces back to Duke
Energy and other prior landowners during
the construction of Lake Jocassee. Crossing
alongside Toxaway Mountain, a large
high-voltage transmission line dissects the
valley and offers both views and reliable
cell reception when you pass beneath it.
While Panthertown doesn’t offer the
high-speed flow or rocky chunder of other
trails on this list, you’ll be hard pressed to
find a more remote area to enjoy a casual
ride around the plateau. Just be sure to
pack some hiking shoes and a swimsuit,
as countless waterfalls can be found just
off the trail. Before your visit, be sure to
grab the latest copy of Burt Kornegay’s
map to help plan your ride. P
in all of Appalachia. For those who have
ridden elsewhere, it’s frequently compared
to Sedona and Moab when referencing variety,
difficulty, and remoteness. Brevard
serves as the major hub for the Pisgah
Ranger District and is just one hour from
the crossroads in Cashiers. Once a quaint
mountain town, the bustling city draws in
riders from around the world in search of
its renowned singletrack.
If you’re starting out in the area, begin
with the Black Mountain Trail, which
you can ride to from town. Separated into
three distinct sections, the uppermost includes
significant amounts of hiking and
slow technical terrain that may be more of
a hike-a-bike at times. The middle section
offers a faster run with lots of rocky chunder
and exposed roots, while the lowermost
section rounds out the trail with groomed
flow trail that is frequently maintained to
keep it running fast. All in all, there are
few trails that compare to its diversity.
For those seeking a more moderate ride,
Daniel Ridge is an excellent place to start.
40 | ThePlateauMag.com
If you’re in search of the most challenging
trails Pisgah has to offer, make your
way over to Pilot Mountain, Farlow Gap,
or Trace Ridge, just be sure to grab a map
beforehand to ensure you don’t ride any
trails not open to bikes.
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
Asheville, NC
Nearest to Asheville, Bent Creek is a local
favorite and one of the must-visit areas for
those closer to the city. Several parking
lots, a campground, restrooms, and other
amenities are available throughout the experimental
forest, and a visit to the North
Carolina Arboretum makes for an excellent
addition to any ride. For those interested in
the history of the area, placards are located
throughout the 6,000-acre watershed noting
both the methods and dates of previous
timber harvesting. Whether you’re into
gravel riding, fast downhill flow, or just a
nice ride through the forest on your lunch
break, Bent Creek never disappoints.
Buckwheat Knob
in Pisgah Ranger
District near
Brevard.