Pink Beds Trail
11250 Pisgah Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Daylight.
$
hikes, outdoor-adventures, parks
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A stunning array of terrain awaits on the Pisgah Forest's Pink Beds Trail.
Located 4 miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway on 276 in Pisgah National Forest, Pink Beds is a rare level loop trail with some beautiful and unique features. The entire loop is about 5 miles, but it is a nice trail to do an out and back on for the tiny humans! We always feel like we have been transported to another world when we hike this trail.
The various ecosystems you can walk through in even just a mile are amazing. When the trail branches immediately after you go over the first stream and bridge take a right, you will quickly be greeted by some massive pine trees, a beautiful boardwalk, and many ambling streams. Some of the streams look like they belong in a Florida pine forest, not a mountain valley! After about 15-20 mins of walking, you'll come across a massive boardwalk that follows a marsh-like area, another unique feature of this trail. In the spring the rhododendron are in full bloom, painting the forest pink. In the summer the marsh and forest come alive with wildlife. Fall brings beautiful color, and winter makes for such a peaceful walk when the higher elevation trails aren't accessible. The creeks are easily accessible and shallow which are awesome in the summer for kids to play in!
The trailhead is easy to find and well-marked with ample parking in the paved lot. There is a large picnic area right at the parking lot, and although there are no bathrooms in the immediate vicinity they can be found a short drive over in the Cradle of Forestry.
Please Note: The address given is for the Cradle of Forestry, which is located about half a mile from the trailhead. From the BRP look for the trail sign on your left on 276 before reaching the Cradle of Forestry. From Brevard, the trailhead will be on your right shortly after.