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North Carolina
State Bicycle Route #8
Route Maps H1, H2, & H3
From Wagon Road Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway
to Lincolnton, North Carolina.
Total length of this tour is 120 miles
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All
Maps are in JPG format and will require a little time to down load
All maps may be printed in LANDSCAPE mode only on 8.5X11" paper.
All Maps are on white backgrounds to make printing out easier.
All Campgrounds along the way are listed.
The North
Carolina Bicycle Rules
and using this guide to ride this tour:
The Bicycle Program of the North Carolina Department of Transportation has undertaken a unique project -- the development of a statewide bicycle system along the existing roads of the extensive primary and secondary highway system.
North Carolina has one of the finest highway systems in the nation; however, few people realize the potential afforded for bicycling. Although no roadway where the automobile and bicycle mix will ever be totally safe, there are many roads, unknown to the majority of people, which are relatively safe for bicycling due to their low traffic volumes and good roadway conditions.
To date, only automobile-oriented road maps and information have been available. Therefore, a project was initiated by the Bicycle Program to locate these "bicycling highways" link them into a comprehensive system of bicycle routes and make available to the public a series of pamphlets containing detailed maps and narratives describing these routes.
This information will serve to guide the bicyclist to those roads which are safer for bicycle travel. When the entire system is completed, bicyclists riding in North Carolina will have the most extensive bicycle-oriented road data available anywhere.
Bicycle riding can be a rewarding and enjoyable way to travel or spend leisure time. In order to enhance this pleasure, please take time to read the information provided in this guide before embarking on any trips.
State Laws governing Bicycles on the Highways
The bicycle has been legally considered a vehicle in North Carolina since 1937.
Thus, it has full rights and responsibilities on the roadway and is subject to all regulations governing a vehicle.
The bicycle is specifically prohibited from all interstate highways and limited access highways.
Required equipment includes a front lamp which is visible from a distance of at least 300 feet and a rear reflector or lamp which is visible from a distance of 200 feet when riding at night.
The Blue Ridge Parkway has a number of Tunnels that have to be used to travel this route. THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY REQUIRES BOTH FRONT AND REAR LAMPS FOR SAFETY due to the fact that most car users do not turn on their lights as required when traveling through a tunnel. This light requirement is solely for YOUR SAFETY.
Safety Tips
Using This Guide
Whether you wish to travel 5 or 500 miles, this guide contains all the information necessary to help you prepare for, and take, a bicycle trip along a portion of North Carolina's system of "bicycling highways". Included in this package you will find information on state laws pertaining to the use of the bicycle, safety tips, physiographic features of North Carolina, availability of public transportation, average seasonal temperatures, direction and velocity of prevailing winds, and contacts for further information.
Within this pamphlet, you will find a series of segment maps, with descriptive narrative, each detailing an average of 45 miles of this route. A fold-old map of the state shows the "bicycling highways" system and locates each segment of this route. For easy reference, these segments are numbered.
Much important information appears on the face of each segment map. To orient you to your general location, a background network of roads, creeks and rivers, cities and towns, and county boundaries is shown. The actual route you follow is highlighted in red. Any section of the route which may be confusing or difficult to follow has been enlarged as a special inset on the map. All roads which are a part of, or intersect with, the route are numbered. To facilitate following the route, the number of any secondary road which is a part of the route is enclosed in a rectangle (i.e., 19P5])· Also important to note, is that many secondary roads often change numbers when they cross lines, intersect major highways, or go through towns. On the highway, these secondary road numbers can be found on sign posts at all intersections. They are small and sometimes obscure, so look carefully.
Click here for the
symbols found on these maps
Map Number + File size = 51k
Symbols appear on each map pinpointing all information pertinent to your safety, needs and interests. The exact location of county stores offering basic services -- food, water, telephone and toilet facilities -- is designated on the map by a red triangle; hazardous areas are highlighted with a red asterisk; a red star appears near the name of any city or town which offers complete services -- basic services plus hospital, motel, supermarket, restaurant, Laundromat, post office, and bank. The exact locations of campgrounds, restaurants (those outside cities or towns), and all points of interest, are noted with red dots; special symbols designating a campground, restaurant, historic site, recreation area, scenic area, or point of cultural or educational significance are numbered for easy reference to the narrative. North directional arrows appear on each map, as do match lines. A legend showing all symbols and their meanings is included on the back of each segment map/narrative. This should be studied carefully to avoid confusion.
The narrative which accompanies each segment explains or expands the information symbolized on the map. A general terrain description is given td assist you in gearing your trip to your capabilities; the distance of each segment is noted in both miles and kilometers; an assessment of roadway conditions is offered with comments on problem areas; hazardous areas are detailed, noting approximate duration of problem; availability of services along the route or within reasonable biking distance of the route is discussed, bike shop locations am noted. Descriptive information on each point of interest is also included.
Bicycle Route #8 - Map H
1
General Description
The 120-mile Southern Highlands Route originates at Wagon Road Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway and terminates in Lincolnton. It serves as a southern link between the Mountains to Sea route (intersecting with Segment A-3) and the Piedmont Spur (intersecting with Segment B-2). The Southern Highlands route combines with portions of those two routes plus the Sandhills Sector and the Cape Fear Run, to form a southern cross-state route.
This first segment begins with an exhilarating 15-mile plunge down the Blue Ridge Escarpment -- a drop of over 2,400 feet, into the Foothills region of North Carolina.
Rolling hills, interspersed with occasional short, steep climbs characterizing the next 28 miles into Saluda. From there you drop another 1000 feet in the next 4 miles, to the end of this segment.
This part of the trip is approximately 46 miles / 75 Kilometers.
Roadway Condition
The roads in this segment are well-paved and well maintained.
Services
There are no stores or restaurants for the first 1 5 miles of this segment. Few country stores exist along the route outside the populated areas, so be sure to carry some extra supplies. Full services are available at the intersection of US 276 and US 64, and at Brevard, Flat Rock, Hendersonville and Saluda. Two campgrounds are located within the Pisgah National Forest, with others near Little River and Saluda. Primitive camping facilities are available at Holmes State Forest.
Points of Interest
1 Pisgah Forest Recreation Area & Campgrounds, trout streams, hiking trails, picnic areas, waterfalls and scenic vistas throughout this area provide for a variety of recreational opportunities. Sliding Rock is an especially refreshing attraction for hot, tired cyclists. The rock, which is approximately 60 feet long, has a continuous sheet of water covering it. Since it is relatively smooth, it can be used as a sliding board for a plunge into the pool of cool, clear water below.
The Cradle of Forestry National Historic Site is another Pisgah Forest attraction. Here in the Pink Beds, an Appalachian mountain valley, professional forestry was first practiced and taught in the US in 1 898. A 20-minute film, two interpretive trails and museum displays at the visitor center tell the story.
2 Holmes State Forest. This 231-acre preserve provides a convenient and appealing picnic stopover. Primitive camping is also available. The site is at the end of a 2.5-mile gravel road. Water and pit toilets are provided.
3 Carl Sandburg Home. Carl Sandburg and his family first came to the mountains of Western North Carolina in 1945, settling at Connemara, a beautiful 240-acre farm near Flat Rock. Here this poet, author, lecturer, minstrel, one-time political activist and social thinker spent the last 22 years of his long life. Sandburg's years at Connemara were productive, highlighted by the publication of a novel, his autobiography, and several volumes of history and poetry, including the Complete Poems for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1 951 . Life at Connemara was busy, too, for other family members. Mrs. Sandburg continued to breed and care for her large, prize-winning goat herd and to run the farm business with the help of their daughters.
In late 1968, a year after Sandburg's death, Congress established the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site to commerate the life and work of one of America's leading literary figures. The site, including the main house which dates from 1838, is open to the public daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free.
4 Flat Rock Playhouse. The Flat Rock Playhouse is the home of North Carolina's official State Theater and is the oldest professional summer theater in the state. Vagabond players stage theatrical productions during the summer, from June through Labor Day. An admission fee is charged.
5 Saluda Mountain Railroad Grade. At 4.7% incline, this section of railroad line is the steepest standard-gauge, main-line railroad grade in the United States. From Melrose to Saluda the railroad climbs 600 feet in three miles and in places reaches a maximum grade of 220 feet per mile. This section of track is still in use today.
The building of the Saluda grade railroad was a dangerous and laborious task. Construction took almost two years, with much work done at night using lanterns and flares in an effort to meet the scheduled deadline.
The first train to run over this track pulled into Hendersonville, the end of the line, on July 4, 1 879. A contemporary newspaper story described the excitement in this way. "Suddenly the stillness of the valley was broken by the whistle of an engine somewhere down the line, whereupon there was a scurrying hither and yen. For lots and lots of people, most of whom had never seen an engine or a train, had gathered to behold the marvelous sight... Every neck was craned and every eye was fixed toward the bridge over the creek where the engine would first come into view... There it came! Rattling and roaring and belching a great column of smoke from the big funnel--like a smoke stack. What a monster in size it was! What a marvelous and mighty power!"
Bicycle Route #8 - Map H
2
SAM'S TRIBUTE
General Description
The route continues to descend for another 1.5 miles into the town of Tryon. A steep .5-mile climb takes you out of town and into the lush "hunting country" dotted with elegant homes and beautiful horse farms. Glimpses of high mountains appear as you crest each hill of the rolling terrain which takes you alternately past dense forests and settled farmlands, into Forest City. Beyond Forest City, a series of short, steep climbs take you into the Cherry Mountains, to the end of the segment. Approximately 36 miles/58 kilometers.
Roadway Conditions
In general, the roads throughout this segment are well-paved and well-maintained.
Services
Very few country stores can be found along the back roads of this segment, so stock up on supplies at stores in the towns along the way. Full services are available in Tryon, Forest City, Spindale and Rutherfordton. There is a bicycle shop in Forest City. Camping facilities are available near Mill Spring, about 9 miles off the route.
Points of Interest
1 Block House. Built in 1756 as a trading post, the Block House later served as a fortified shelter for colonists during the French and Indian War. It was moved a few hundred yards to its present site in t 942, at which time it was greatly enlarged and embellished. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearby is the stone which marks the western terminus of the 1772 boundary survey between North and South Carolina.
2 Foothills Equestrian Nature Center. This 210-acre preserve is home to nature lovers and equestrian enthusiasts alike. The meadows, streams and woodlands, interwoven with over 8 miles of horseback riding and walking trails are open year round to the public at no charge.
3 Kudzu Imported from Asia in the early 1800's, this member of the pea family was planted extensively in the south as a ground cover during the 1930's to prevent soil erosion. Favorable climatic conditions allowed it to spread rapidly, becoming an uncontrollable pest. Eerie "Kudzu forests" can be seen throughout this area.
4 Green River Plantation Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 150-year-old house was built with bricks transported by wagon trains from Charleston, S.C. and hand-hewn oak and pine logs from the surrounding forest. It is currently a private residence, not open to the public.
5 Bechler Mint. In the mid 1800's, Rutherfordton was in the center of the largest gold producing area in the United States. Every small stream carried enough gold dust to make gold washing pay. There was no standard medium of exchange for this precious metal, however, making trade difficult. The nearest mint was in Philadelphia, a long and hazardous journey at best.
Two German brothers, Augustus and Christophe Bechler, gunsmiths and goldsmiths who had settled in the area, began operation of a mint to remedy this situation. They produced coins in $1 .00, $2.50 and $5.00 denominations. Their mint was operated from 1830 until 1840, when the US government opened a mint in Charlotte. During this time they minted over $3,000,000 worth of coins, which served as the principal form of money in this area. Few of their coins are still in existence.
6 Sam Thomas Memorial Bicycle Route. Sam Thomas, a long time-resident of Forest City, always worked hard to promote the causes he believed in. He was convinced of the viability of the bicycle as legitimate mode of transportation. Sam wanted to see this vehicle recognized and accepted as such by the state and local government agencies responsible for improving the bicycling environment. As a member of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Bicycle Committee from 1978 until his death in 1985, he devoted much effort toward realizing this goal.
Sam's lifelong involvement with bicycling began in 1942, when he bought his first bicycle after someone had stolen the tires and wheels off his car. During that time when both rubber and gasoline were rationed, the bicycle was a logical and efficient choice as a replacement for his car. Sam and a friend commuted by bike for the next year before they entered the service. Sam once recalled, "That was the most beautiful year I remember. I saw every flower that bloomed that spring.
In 1986, the Board of Transportation took action to commemorate Sam Thomas' efforts on behalf of North Carolina's bicyclists by dedicating the Southern Highlands Bicycling Highways route to his memory.
Bicycle Route #8 - Map H
3
CHERRY BOUNCE
General Description
A few more steep hills take you out of the Cherry Mountain area and into the rolling terrain of the Piedmont. Small farms and open fields line the quiet rural lanes along which you pass. The mountains recede into the distance. At the outskirts of Lincolnton, this route intersects with segment B-2 of the Piedmont Spur. Approximately 36 miles/54 kilometers.
Roadway Conditions
For the most part the roads used for this segment are in good condition. SR 1 376 in Cleveland County near the Rutherford County line is a little rough, however.
Services
Numerous county stores throughout the central part of this segment provide opportunities for a refreshing break. Full services are available in Lincolnton, where you will also find a bicycle shop. Camping is permitted at South Mountains Christian Camp, at the beginning of this segment.
Points of Interest
1 Monazite. Around the turn of the century, the mining of monazite was an important industry in Rutherford County. This material was extensively used at that time in the manufacture of mantels for incandescent lamps. It is reported that Thomas Edison and a party of scientists visited the area in 1906 to investigate the monazite deposits. In 191 1 ,the availability of cheap ore from Brazil and India, however, put an end to the local monazite boom.
2 Cherry Bounce. When Amos Owens settled in this area one hundred and fifty years ago, cherry trees covered the mountain. They were so lavish that the local folks named the mountain for them. Owens built himself a house of stone on a spur near the top of Cherry Mountain. It was three stories high. His mules were kept on the ground floor. His family lived on the second floor. Bee gums occupied the third floor. When his crops failed in 1845, he turned to a craft his ancestors had practiced in Ireland-whiskey-making. His was a mixture of corn whiskey, honey and cherry juice and it was known locally as Cherry Bounce. In time, he got the reputation of being the master distiller in all the hills.
At that time it was legal to make whiskey in North Carolina, but only if a tax was paid on each gallon of spirits. Amos Owens steadfastly refused to pay this levy. He argued that the land, the corn, the cherries, the honey and the still were all his and he should be able to do what he pleased with his property. As a result, he served several jail terms in the fifty years during which time he made and sold his Cherry Bounce.
At the beginning of each term of court he had to appear to answer the charges against him. Each year he traveled to the courthouse loaded down with potatoes for sale, with a sizeable amount of Cherry Bounce buried beneath them. Typical sales would total "20 bushels and 40 gallons of 'taters'." When Amos was in his late seventies, he served a six month jail term. He came out a changed man. He never made another drop of whiskey or brandy. Cherries no longer grow on the mountain, but Cherry Bounce is still a familiar name in these hills.
3 Confederate Laboratory. During the Civil War, drugs for the confederacy were not readily available, so laboratories were established in several locations to produce needed medicines. Supplies were hauled by wagon from the North Carolina mountains to these laboratories where herbs, roots, barks, and other natural substances were prepared for medicinal use. A portion of one such laboratory which was in operation in this area, remains.
4 Schenk-Warlick Mill. This mill, established about 1815, was the first cotton spinning mill in North Carolina. In the years before 1815 the state had been economically isolated, thus necessarily self-sufficient. Use of the spinning wheel and the hand loom in the home had largely met the demands for thread and cloth. Although the state possessed adequate resources, manufacturing on a factory basis was slow to develop and was so new and risky that it was unable to compete with agriculture, which continued to dominate the economic life of the state. No serious effort developed to "bring the cotton mills to the cotton fields.
Bicycle Camping in North Carolina
Touring by bicycle has become more and more popular as a way to see and experience North Carolina. Many bicycle tourists have come to prefer the added flexibility afforded by camping. Whether your destination for the night is a state park, a private campground or an impromptu roadside location, self-contained bicycle travel is the way to go.
But in order to fully enjoy the experience, you must be well-prepared.
In North Carolina, a tent with a fly is a must. Rain showers are frequent and sometimes occur at night. Mosquitoes abound. Raccoons, possums and other small creatures roam the woods at night looking for food. A good tent provides shelter from all these problems.
A lightweight stove and cook set are other nice conveniences. Because most of our bicycle routes follow lightly traveled back roads, restaurants are not always readily available. But, there is usually a country store near your evening's destination, where you can obtain the items necessary to prepare a simple, nutritious supper.
Campgrounds along our routes are generally spaced a day's ride apart. If, for some reason, you must seek a campsite on private land, be sure to ask permission first. Most landowners are very cooperative. Always leave the area clean and express your appreciation to your host before you leave. A good impression will make it easier for the next touring cyclist who might need help.
Wherever you plan to camp, try to reach your destination well before nightfall. Your evening will be much more enjoyable if you have time to set up camp, prepare your meal and clean up while there is still light. Early arrival also reduces the chance that the campground will be full when you get there.
This occasionally happens on summer weekends at the more popular state parks.
We hope you will enjoy bicycle camping in North Carolina. If you have any additional questions about touring in the state, contact the Bicycle Program or the Division of Travel and Tourism, Department of Commerce, PO Box 25249, Raleigh, NC 27611.
Camp Ground along Bicycle Route #8
Southern Highlands
Campgrounds
Segment H-l
Pisgah National Forest Davidson River Campground Pisgah Ranger
District P.O. Box 8 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 (704) 877-3265
Open April thru mid-December
Little River Camping Resort Rt. 2, Box 241 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768 (704) 877-4475
Holmes State Forest Rt. 4, Box 308 Hendersonville, NC 28739 (704)
692-0100
Open mid-March thru November
Primitive camping only call ahead for reservations closed Mondays and
Tuesdays
Big Willow Campground Rt. 4, Box 424-B Hendersonville, NC 28739 (704)
693-0187
Open May thru October
Orchard Lake Campground P.O. Box 96 Saluda, NC 28773 (704) 749-3901
Open mid-April thru mid-October
Cozy Cove Camp-Park Saluda, NC 28773 (704) 749-4366
Open April thru October
Segment H-2
Silver Creek Campground Rt. 2, Box 86 Mill Spring, NC 28756 (704)
894-3342
Open April Thru October
Segment H-3
South Mountains Christian Camp Rt. 2 Box 1014 Bostic, NC 28018 (704)
245-3322
Open all Year
Please call ahead or upon arrival to let camp director know you will be
on the site.
This guide was produced by the North Carolina Bicycle Program through the efforts of:
Curtis B. Yates -- Bicycle Coordinator Mary Paul Meletiou -- Assistant Bicycle Coordinator Bruce Burgess -- Cartographer Mark Smith -- Graphic Designer
We welcome your comments or further questions. Contact: Bicycle Program North Carolina Department of Transportation Box 25201 Raleigh,NC 27611 919/733-2804
Note on North Carolina
Stretching 503 miles from west to east and 188 miles from north to south, North Carolina contains a lot of surprises within its borders. Three distinct regions offer the cyclist a traveling experience and a type of terrain to suit every preference. In the west lie the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountain ranges, with 43 peaks over 6,000 feet a challenge to even the best riders. A wild and somewhat isolated area, this region contains the highest elevations and the most rugged topography in the Appalachian mountain system.
Traveling eastward through the foothills into the Piedmont region, the terrain changes to gently rolling countryside. An occasional encounter with an ancient, eroded mountain thought to be, at one time, more lofty than the Rockies offers just enough of a climb to test the cyclist's skills. Even though this is the fastest growing and most industrialized section of North Carolina, miles of quiet rural lanes offer some of the state's most pleasant bicycling.
Spanning the final 100 miles to the sea, the coastal plain offers virtually flat terrain for easy pedaling. As this region was the first part of North Carolina to be settled -- beginning with the first attempted English colonization in 1585 -- the "feeling of history" is strong. Many historic sites and old plantation homes, some restored, others decaying, can be found throughout the area. The state has merle than 300 miles of coastline, which includes the unique Outer Banks, a series of barrier islands a few miles off-shore. The coves and shallows of this treacherous coast hold numerous tales of shipwrecks, ghosts, and buried pirates' treasure. Here, too, are found the largest sand dunes on the eastern coast.
North Carolina lies within a climatic region termed "humid subtropical". The winters are generally short and mild with long, hot and humid summers, and very pleasant transitional seasons. Seldom do temperatures drop to zero in winter and only occasionally exceed 100" F in the summer. Although there is considerable variation in the distribution of rainfall, precipitation levels are high throughout the state. On the average there are 125 days with measurable precipitation. Distribution of rainfall during the year is reasonably uniform, although two periods of higher rainfall can be defined. Generally, rainfall is highest in the summer months, with lowest yearly totals occurring in October or November. Precipitation increases during the winter, then decreases again in April.
Considering the diverse topographic regions and high levels of precipitation, it is hard to predict when the best time for bicycling in North Carolina might be. Conditions in the mountains generally permit biking from May through October, with fall foliage displays making this an especially spectacular season to visit the area.
Summer temperatures here provide more pleasant biking weather than in other parts of the state. In the Piedmont, the climate is more temperate, providing good cycling weather from mid-March through mid-November. Spring and fall are particularly pleasant, with warm days and cool evenings.
Winter weather is often suitable for cycling but is extremely unpredictable, with temperatures varying from the teens to the upper sixties. The coastal plain experiences the mildest temperatures of all the regions. Spring and fall are generally the best times for biking here as summer days are often oppressively hot and humid.
North Carolina is easily accessible by air, rail and inter-city bus systems. Scheduled commercial air service is available in Asheville, Hickory, Winston-Salem, Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point, Charlotte, Raleigh / Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount / Wilson, Kinston, New Bern, Jacksonville, and Wilmington. Amtrak rail passenger service is available along two north / south routes, one serving Raleigh, Southern Pines and Hamlet and the other serving Rocky Mount, Wilson and Fayetteville. Southern Railroad offers a north / south route which serves Reidsville, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury, Concord, Charlotte, and Gastonia. Inter-city bus service is provided by Greyhound, Trailways and several smaller companies to virtually all communities in the state.
"This guide is published by the Department of Transportation as an aid to bicyclists. The Department of Transportation in no manner warrants the safety of the highways indicated on these maps for use by bicyclists. These roads a re suggested only as more suitable than others for use by bicyclists as connecting routes. All roads suggested are regular roads of the highway system used by automobiles and trucks, with no special lanes provided for bicycles. As no separate lanes are provided for bicycles and therefore are dangerous for use by bicyclists, the bicyclist assumes the risk for his own safety when using the routes indicated on these maps."
It is urged that no one under 15 years of age attempt to ride all or any portion of these routes without adult supervision.
If you have any additional questions about touring in the state, please contact
NC
Dept. of Transportation
Bicycle Program
PO Box 25201
Raleigh, NC 27611
(919) 733-2804
