Photo of Trail Running Routes in Brevard

The Best Trail Running Routes in Brevard

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Top 13 trail running routes in Brevard

1

Pink Beds Loop

5.02 mi·
373 ft
With little elevation change, this well-marked loop is one of the easier trail running routes in Pisgah National Forest. Despite the name, the Forest Service says the name is "more historical than descriptive," though expect plenty of mountain laurel and rhododendron along the way....
2

Fryingpan Mountain

Hard
1.52 mi·
374 ft
Commissioned in 1941, the 70' tall fire tower on Fryingpan Mountain is the perfect destination for a short run. The panoramic views from it's perch also make it the perfect spot to watch the sunrise or sunset....
3

John Rock

Hard
5.76 mi·
1,387 ft
Just a short drive from Brevard, this classic trail running loop takes you to an exposed slickrock overlook with incredible views towards the Balsam Range. The route departs from the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, commonly referred to as the Fish Hatchery....
4

Daniel Ridge Loop

Easy
4.59 mi·
851 ft
Popular among mountain bikers and hikers, Daniel Ridge is a moderate trail running loop with a 150' cascading waterfall near the trailhead. If you're limited on time, the falls is only a short walk from the trailhead and perfect for the entire family....
5

Coontree Loop

Hard
3.52 mi·
1,065 ft
This is a great short trail run that sees less traffic than most of Pisgah National Forest. The loop originates at the Coontree Picnic Area and travels ~3.5 miles through beautiful terrain lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel....
6

Graveyard Fields Loop

Hard
3.11 mi·
455 ft
Graveyard Fields is one of the more popular spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest - and it's not hard to see why. Over 5,000' above sea level, this flat mountain valley is known for its incredibly serene and beautiful waterfalls that pass through forming the headwaters of the Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River....
7

Sycamore Cove Loop

Moderate
3.65 mi·
605 ft
Whether you're camping at the Davidson River Campground, or a local looking to break up a monotonous afternoon, this is an excellent short run less than a 5-minute drive from the entrance of Pisgah National Forest....
8

Art Loeb Trail

28.95 mi·
7,670 ft
The Art Loeb is one of the best long-distance trail running routes within Pisgah National Forest. It begins at Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp, traverses Shining Rock Ridge, then descends into the valley below....
9

Shut-In Trail

Hard
16.53 mi·
5,388 ft
Part of the nearly 1,200-mile-long Mountains to Sea Trail, the Shut-In Trail is a popular trail running route and home to a highly acclaimed trail running race that occurs each fall....
10

Turkey Pen Loop

Hard
6.16 mi·
1,328 ft
Located halfway between Mills River and Brevard, locals affectionately refer to this area as "Turkey Pen". Encompassed within the 500,000+ acre Pisgah National Forest, this pocket of trails provides unique flora and fauna atypical of the rest of the forest....
11

Pilot Cove / Slate Rock Loop

Hard
6.85 mi·
1,309 ft
With over 500,000 acres in Pisgah National Forest, its often hard to figure out where to head for a run. Waterfalls, rhododendron tunnels, and exposed overlooks are only a few parts of what makes Pisgah great....
12

North Slope / Art Loeb Loop

Moderate
6.86 mi·
1,604 ft
Located just a few minutes from Pisgah Forest and Brevard, this is a beautiful trail running loop through dense tunnels of rhododendron. It's also one of the best marked routes near town, making it hard to get lost....
13

Cedar Rock Mountain

Hard
7.35 mi·
1,840 ft
When Cedar Rock comes up in conversation, nearly everyone thinks of the trail in Dupont- a west-coast style slickrock trail with astounding views. Just a short drive down the road and lesser visited, Cedar Rock Mountain in Pisgah National Forest offers an epic trail running experience with views that rival other overlook trails in the region....