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The Estatoe Trail is a relatively flat trail, spanning almost 6 miles between downtown Brevard and Pisgah National Forest.
About the Route
The bike path has an asphalt surface for most of its length, except for the northwest 1 mile extension into the Pisgah National Forest (packed crushed gravel).
At its northwest end by the Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest, the trail connects to the Art Loeb Trail, which meanders through the national forest. The northwest 1-mile portion of the Estatoe Trail follows the old Carr Lumber Company railway corridor through the Pisgah National Forest and runs along the scenic Davidson River.
Crossing Asheville Hwy/US-64, the trail parallels Ecusta Road south through Brevard. At the City of Brevard Sports Complex, the trail curves southwest around the sports fields and passes the Transylvania County Parks & Recreation Department. Tree line one side of the trail as it passes the City of Brevard Dog Park (824 Ecusta Rd) and the Jameson's Joy Memorial Fitness Park. The trail also connects several school.
Meandering west through the woods, the trail passes the Transylvania Regional Hospital. A trail spur heads east and comes out on Spruce Street and Mountain Industrial Road, where there is a brewery. Coming out of the woods, the trail briefly follows Allison Creek north. There is a paved connection with a short boardwalk bridge over the creek between the trail and Allison Road. Briefly following Hospital Drive, the trail then follows Asheville Hwy/US-64 south again.
At the intersection with Jackson Court, the trail heads southwest away from the highway and through downtown Brevard to its southern end on W Main Street. The southern portion of the route occupies about 0.5 mile of rail corridor.
The trail provides several access points to earthen-surfaced nature trails (foot traffic only) frequented by birdwatchers.
The Estatoe Trail runs between the Art Loeb Trail by the Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah Forest), where there is parking, and W Main St (Brevard).
Parking is available at a few places along the route, including:
Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This is a relatively easy out and back totaling about 10 miles. I started on the south end and parked in the church parking lot just across the street from the trail head. Trailhead marked with signs and easy to find. There are a couple of hazardous street crossings. Even when using the pedestrian crossing buttons be very alert and cautious because the A-holes there either are not aware that turning vehicles are supposed to yield to pedestrians or they don’t cate.Do not attempt this ride on a road bike.The last 2 miles are on gravel and dirt trails.ordon’tthatca
Hard to call this a bike trail, more like a glorified sidewalk with lots of busy road crossings. Possibly the worst bike trail I’ve ever been on and I would not recommend it to anyone.
I rode this for he first time today. Started at the north end and the first 1.3 miles was gravel pathway along a river. Very pretty but would not recommend for a street type bike. Once I crossed the highway at Lowes, it was paved the remainder. I didn’t get to the end because I actually lost the way with a mile to go. No signs pointing the way on the paved portion, which would have been nice.. The highlight was stopping at Oskar Blues Brewery on the way back.
First time riding. Short and easy. Gravel path on last bit a little narrow and challenging to avoid walker’s. Lovely. It would be nice to finish or widen last half.
I met other people with kids trying to navigate crossing busy intersections with NO SIGNS PLEASE DO YOUR JOB PEOPLE PART OF WHICH IS KNOWING NOT Everyone is experienced trail followers. Would it really really hurt you to do your job and put signs especially when it’s dangerous.? It seems you can’t see outside your own experience level. Shame on you putting animals and children in danger because you are too short sighted to see the whole picture.
For bike beginners, this is a nice route. The Pisgah forest trail is beautiful and we can add some extra miles riding in the campgrounds.
Great trail with diverse features from Mt biking in Pisgah Forest to urban trail in Brevard. Oskar Blues Brewery side trip a highlight!
We rode this trail early morning and their were a few people on it, but not many. We parked at the Sports Complex and went left out of the parking lot to start. Once we got to Lowes, we crossed the street. This side is gravel but follows a river. This was great riding! Kids really enjoyed it. We then rode through the Davidson River Campground and through the loops and then back past the Sports Complex and all the way to a church where the trail crossed the road again. We were running short on time and quit there. We will definitely be back to ride again!
Made the trip while vacationing nearby to ride the Brevard Bike Path. Was disappointed that only 3 miles were asphalt. Also found the path along some of the roadways were littered with gravel. I had to check with a local bike shop to find where to park to start the ride. Still a nice ride.
Walked this trail today with my daughter from Lowe's to the end at McLean Road. I brought my trikke up from Florida and was checking it out for a ride alone tomorrow. The trail is great, but crossing 280 we were nearly hit by a car. We crossed at the light with the signal and although we had the right of way a woman pulled out of the Arby's behind us and came so close if I had taken one more step she would have hit us. It was almost deliberate as she had room to pull to the outside lane but did not. Please be careful and watch behind you as you cross.
My husband and I just got bikes and this was an excellent trail ride. We parked at Davidson Campground and rode towards Lowes. Be sure to stop off at Oscar Blues! Trail to Oscars is not marked but paved.
Very nice trail. I recommend starting at the Visitor's Center on Hwy 276. Ride the Estatoe Trail south. That is a smooth dirt/sandy trail along the river for almost a mile. Then cross the street at Lowes and ride the paved trail to the end. There will be some traffic crossings but all serious ones have traffic lights.
Total out and back is about 10 miles. Short but sweet.
I rode this Trail today. It is around 7 miles one way. I started at the davidson campground to the end. I recommend parking at the pisgah ranger station (there are lots in back of the ranger station) It is .2 miles from the ranger station to the davidson campground. Nice views of Brevard.
Hope to ride this trail again
Excellent ride. Very smooth with some moderate hills - we went just a tiny bit further into town and stopped at our favorite coffee place, the "Brighter Day" Cafe in the little shopping plaza on College Station Drive. Perfect! We took a break there and then did the return trip back to the car... we'd highly recommend this trail!
I love this trail! Not only does it allow me to breeze through town easily and without having to navigate the traffic (most of which is not at all friendly toward bikes/peds), it's new extension allows me to ride straight into PNF! Before its implementation, I always thought Brevard could use a path of this sort, but I also realized that its layout makes building a bike path that is accessible by most quite awkward. And granted, you do have to ride a short section alongside NC 280, but that small negative aspect is far outweighed by the beautiful scenery encountered when riding along the other sections that take you through meadows, forested areas, and across creeks and streams. This path is a boon for families with children, also. What a convenient and beautiful place to plan a family walk-day, or to take the kids into the stream to play around!
What I can't believe is that people would reflect negatively on the bike path - tree debris? I'd much rather have to sidestep an errant limb or a gathering of twigs than bake to death on a shade-less path! And its kind of a ridiculous notion to try and keep it free of debris 24/7: that takes time, money, and manpower which is frankly unavailable to the City of Brevard. Maybe if there was a Bike Path Cleanup Day we could all put our heads together and make a difference!
In summation, thanks to the City for making this dream a reality. You have offered a new avenue of transportation and opened up pedestrian and bike travel to all walks of life in Brevard. Keep these projects coming!
i was so pleased to find a beautiful and quiet place to walk and ride my bike. i am very excited and very much looking forward to the last of the trail being finshed. me and my family enjoy useing the greenway everyday and have found no problems with the trail.
The following review was submitted to the Hendersonville (NC) News-Times shortly after the opening of the Brevard Bike Path. The author has given us permission to publish the letter as it continues to express her recollection of her memorable walk on the trail.
To The Editor: It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to spend a sunny Sunday hour walking the splendid new Brevard greenway.
We shared this walk with many happy and relaxed people of all ages. There were children learning to ride bikes, a rollerblading daddy pushing a stroller, grandparents and couples sharing a golden moment on a golden fall afternoon.
The gentle inclines, slopes and curves led us along a roadway, through a verdant marsh, over a bridge and near a playground where some of those energetic kids could expend more of their abundant energy.
Brevard should be congratulated for getting its greenway started and building it properly. It is graded and drained and wide enough to accommodate users safely. It provides a safe, healthful and tranquil place for residents and visitors to find physical and mental health.
It has been shown that pathways like this enhance property values and attract new residents who want this added advantage.
I look forward to seeing our own greenway started so it can begin serving the residents of Hendersonville and Henderson County in the same way in the very near future.
Carla Rodio
So disappointed in this trail! For walking, it is fair. I wanted to use my Trikke on it and found that the trailhead did not have a parking area, the path was littered with twigs and other tree junk, the trail path was poorly marked, there were too many traffic lights and driveways, the trail went along a very busy highway (not pretty or peaceful), the branches of trees hung down along the highway at face level etc. etc., blah, blah, blah... So, after driving from peaceful Polk County NC, I thought I should have stayed home! The trail is NOT suitable for rollerblading (Trikke is similar), skateboarding or roadbiking. If you want to get your heartrate up, go somewhere else, because the traffic light is a rest stop as are the intersections you must cross! Too bad there wasn't better long-range planning. It could have been so much better!
Thanks for trying!
How long does it take new residents to learn that Brevard is well along building a first class BikeWay? It took us much too long! We've lived in Transylvania County more than two years and moved into town several months ago. Seeing what we thought was a new sidewalk being constructed along the old Ecusta Plant and observing an occasional bicyclist adjacent U.S. 64 on what we assumed was another sidewalk didn't give us even a clue about this exciting new project. Apparently some people are more observant of their surroundings than we are. Also, I'm sure we must have missed articles about it in the newspaper. A few days ago while exploring some of the roads nearby I noticed that the one full side of an in-town street had the familiar markings of a bike route. Further on I found and then walked across a long, wide wooden bridge. The path ended alongside the CVS drugstore. The next day a young lady at the City Planning Department showed me the long range plan and today I walked the path from CVS to Lowes - a perfect morning stroll. I just found another rich source of information by googling it. Many thanks to those who had the foresight to give the community this wonderful amenity.
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