Asheville Gravel Routes

Destination for Western North Carolina Gravel routes

About

The proximity of Asheville, NC to public lands and rural towns sets it up wonderfully for mixed surface riding with the modern gravel bikes or any other off-road focused bicycle travel. Many of these routes are deep in to the forest with limited cell service and even fewer people to ask for assistance on the tracks. This website is meant to be an accumulation of the best rides in the area as featured by regional events, local pro training rides and adventure focused riders. As the website gets built out, if you have any specific questions or route recommendations feel free to email support@ashevillegravel.com

Start Locations

Bracken –> Stony Knob –> Joel Branch

1-2 Hours – Featuring Bracken Nature Preserve, Stony Knob, Joel Branch

18.5 Miles; 2,000′; ~75% Gravel

With only 1-2 hours to spare, you are only going to scratch the surface of available terrain. For the time crunched traveler, I recommend the following route. Although only 18 miles, it will leave you tired and make you feel like the forest was all yours. This route starts in downtown Brevard and enters the forest at the Bracken Preserve. On your ride out of town, you will pass by the beautiful Brevard Music Center’s beautiful campus just before you start a short steep gravel climb (0.2 miles @ 12.8%) to warmup! At the top of this climb, you’ll enter the Bracken preserve trail system and start a steep singletrack climb. Don’t be discouraged by a few short hikes up some rooty sections at the bottom. You’re going to gain 930′ over just 2.3 miles, so bring your climbing legs (and gears!). At the top of this trail, you will follow a little more rolling singletrack into the National forest. This singletrack will turn to unmaintained access road. At mile 8, the suffering to this point will pay off with a well built flow trail called Stony Knob. A mile of beautiful, smooth rolling singletrack flow trail will put a smile on any riders face. At the bottom of this singletrack, you’ll turn left on to Joel Branch road. Again, slow rolling unmaintained access road. Although predominantly downhill, the miles will tick down slow as you work your way through the forest. After the intersection with the popular Art Loeb Trail, the gradient will steepen and you’ll make your way down the forest much faster. When you see a sign suggesting you to slow down, take it’s advice, the surface is rough making it tough to scrub speed for the upcoming switchback! When you get to the bottom of this hill and are in the river valley, you’ll see a sandy trail on the right connecting with the Ecusta trail paralleling the river back in to town. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the river, taking it easy on this popular trail. You’ll pop out of the forest at a traffic light to continue on the City of Brevard bike path all the way back to the railroad depot. Always a good chance of catching some white squirrels out and about around the ball fields, so keep an eye out! After your ride, be sure to check out the Lumber Yard district breweries (High Country and NobleBrau) or run in to Squatch bike and brews for a beer and to discuss your adventure in to the forest!

Strava Route:
https://www.strava.com/routes/2941816575489030074