Looking for an Asheville adventure that includes a day road trip of waterfall exploring, a Sourwood Picnic, and a glass of ice cold craft beer or an old fashion ice-cream soda afterward? We’ve put together a fun itinerary to make all the planning easy-just book your stay at the Sourwood Inn and we’ll take care of the rest.
For this Waterfall Exploring Road Trip, we are highlighting DuPont State Forest. It is a 10,000-acre outdoor wonderland filled with natural beauty, enormous waterfall plunges, refreshing waterholes, and easy hiking trails.
Here you will see jaw-dropping sights that will be a lifetime memory. These three amazing Dupont Forest waterfalls are hard to beat-High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls can all be viewed during an easy 3-mile hike, about 46 miles south of the Sourwood Inn.
Exploring Dupont Waterfalls
The hike highlighted below scores beautiful views of three waterfalls. And while the waterfalls are the hike’s main attraction, there’s an abundance of natural beauty, including plenty of areas to spread your picnic cloth and enjoy the Sourwood Inn’s charcuterie picnic.
To start your waterfall adventure, you have three options for parking- as noted on the map. You’ll also find restrooms, additional maps along the way, and sometimes friendly rangers. High Falls has the added feature of a lovely old-fashioned covered bridge above the falls where you can view the 150-foot waterfall below. Easy trails let you navigate below, where you will find a water hole for an afternoon swim or a picnic on the rocks. Triple falls include three thundering waterfalls that spill in succession, tumbling and cascading from wide, blocky rock ledges. And for movie buffs, this was a former filming location for The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. Hooker Falls is just a short hike away that follows the Little River downstream. This fall is broad and symmetrical and has a wonderful watering hole.
Breweries in Brevard
After your day of waterfall exploring, there is nothing more perfect than relaxing in a local brew pub and enjoying an ice-cold glass of artisan beer. Brevard is just a short drive away, where you will find Oscar Blues Brewery and Brevard Brewing Company. Both have laid-back vibes and hand-crafted beer.
Afternoon Picnics are the Best
Since waterfall adventures can be tiring, we decided to offer a fun package with a waterfall map and a fun afternoon picnic. In your bag, you’ll find a picnic cloth, a charcuterie box filled with local artisan meats, a baguette, nuts, water, and cookies. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to find the perfect waterfall backdrop to enjoy your afternoon treat.
Things to do in Brevard
Brevard is nestled in the heart of Transylvania County and is an amazing mountain town. Here you’ll find unique shopping, good- eats, and breweries. Three of our favorite spots are highlighted below:
Rocky’s Grill and Soda Shop– An old fashion ice-cream cone or soda is also a perfect way to end a day of waterfall exploring. American as apple pie, you can’t beat a town square’s soda shop for nostalgic fun.
O.P. Taylor’s Toy Shop– After your ice cream stop, head down the street to peruse more than 6,000 square feet of interactive fun in every child’s toy paradise.
If time allows to stay for dinner, mozy down to Square Root- Located in a beautifully restored historic building. They do not take reservations, so you may want to place your name on the list and explore some shops or have a beer at Brevard Brewing Company just down the street. The Square Root Restaurant is as well known for its architectural and artistic decor as it is for its fabulous food.
Come Stay With Us at the Sourwood Inn
After your busy day exploring waterfalls, come back to the inn, grab a glass of wine and relax on the inn’s patio. The Sourwood Inn serves a fabulous farm-to-table dinner Thursday- Sunday. (Reservations are needed.)
If your muscles are tired, come back to your room and enjoy a bubble bath in your soaking tub while gazing at the mountain views. A perfect ending for a Perfect Asheville getaway “Exploring Waterfalls” with a Sourwood Picnic”
