Mountain Biking in Panthertown Valley
The Panthertown Valley is one of those unique places that are well revered by outdoor enthusiasts, as well as ecologists, in the Southern Appalachian mountains. And the valley contains a network of mountain biking trails that travel to a variety of popular destinations within this 6700 acre tract of high-elevation Forest Service land. At least 8 major waterfalls and countless smaller ones lie along the area's streams. You'll find rides that take you to cliff-top views of the surrounding mountains, or fast rides along rolling gravel roads. Stop and enjoy your lunch with a supplement from a handful of wild blueberries. All this is available on the trails of Panthertown!
Greenland Creek and Panthertown Creek are the area's main waterways, which join to form the Tuckaseegee river. It flows out of the area through gorges with colorful names such as "Devil's Elbow" and (on another fork) "Bonas Defeat". In contrast with the typical "V" shaped valleys of these mountains, the Panthertown area (generally south of Flatrock Mountain and north of Hogback Mountain) is actually composed of several finger-like valleys that are nearly level at the bottom, flanked on three sides by sheer slopes and granite domes. And in those valleys, streams are slow and lazy, with some areas that look more like they belong down on the coastal plain, than at 3600' elevation in the mountains. Rare, high-altitude mountain bogs lie along the streams in places, where fallen leaves steep in the water for days before the it finally trickles into the streams, staining the otherwise crystal-clear pools like tea. Rare plants grow both in the bogs and on top of the granite domes - environmental extremes, to say the least.
Mountain Biking Trails
A good sized network of trails branches off from the area's old main roads. The roads are becoming singletrack in many places. A few destinations within the valley are accessible by short sections of hiking-only trails, such as some of the best waterfalls, but are worth the diversion. The Forest Service has just now begun naming and improving the trails, even though it has owned the property for decades. For now, it is recommended to travel here as you would in the Wilderness: with a map, a compass, and enough provisions to survive. Blazes and signs may be spares or non-existent, although this has been rapidly improving.
Directions
To the East Entrance (Cold Mountain Gap)
From Asheville:
Take I-240 West to I-26 East to the Asheville Airport, exit 40. Turn right onto NC 280; follow this for 16 miles to Brevard. At the intersection with US 64/276, continue straight onto this dual highway. In downtown Breavard, US 276 heads right; stay straight on US 64. US 64 bears right after passing through brevard. Follow US 64 for about 15 miles (it becomes very curvy) to the intersection with NC 281; turn right. See below.
From Highlands:
Follow US 64 East to Cashiers. 13 miles past the stoplight in Cashiers, just past the Lake Toxaway dam, turn left on NC 281. See below.
(From above) Once you are on NC 281, go 0.8 miles and turn left on Cold Mountain Road (the fire station is on the right). Proceed just under 6 miles up Cold Mountain Road; the road turns to gravel. At a sharp left turn, a sign will indicate the Panthertown parking is just ahead. It is 0.1 mile from the sharp left turn to a gravel road on the right signed for the parking area; the road is about 0.1 mile long and the parking area is just a wide spot at the end of the road.
To the West Entrance (Salt Rock)
From Asheville:
See above directions to NC 281, except continue past 281 on US 64 for 8 miles. Turn right on Cedar Creek Road, go 2.3 miles, then turn right on Breedlove Road. The parking area is at the end of the road in just under 4 miles. On my last visit, there were major mud holes and rocks on the last part of this road and a high-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary.
From Highlands:
Take US 64 East to Cashiers. 2 miles past the stoplight, turn left on Cedar Creek Road. Go 2.3 miles and turn right on Breedlove Road. The parking area is at the end of the road in just under 4 miles. On my last visit, there were major mud holes and rocks on the last part of this road and a high-clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle may be necessary.
