Andy Cove Nature Trail Map

Route map of the Andy Cove Nature Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Andy Cove Nature Trail Map

Route map of the Andy Cove Nature Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Pisgah Ranger Station/Visitor Center -- 2,180'

The trailhead is at the Pisgah Ranger Station on U.S. 276, located about 1.5-miles north of the entrance to the National Forest near Brevard...

Pisgah Ranger Station Trailhead (Andy Cove Nature Trail & Exercise Trail) -- 2,180'

The trailhead is at the Pisgah Ranger Station on U.S. 276, located about 1.5-miles north of the entrance to the National Forest near Brevard...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,200'

This tour follows the Nature Trail in a counter-clockwise direction. Leaving the parking lot the loop begins by making a moderate climb up along the adjacent hillside...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

The climb ends quickly at a long boardwalk, built right along the side of the hill...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

There are no views to speak of from the boardwalk but it does provide a unique glimpse into the middle canopy of the forest below...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

Hanging from the side of the steep hill the boardwalk snakes along through the trees...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

Suddenly a bridge appears ahead...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

The suspension-style bridge takes the trail across a deep, narrow ravine in the side of the ridge. This type of footbridge is fairly common in the District, particularly up in the Mills River portion of the forest...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,240'

The view from the bridge overlooks the deep, rhododendron-choked ravine below...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,230'

Across the bridge the route now starts twisting back down the ridge...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,220'

Now entering Andy Cove itself...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,200'

An interesting boardwalk switchback the trail enters Andy Cove...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,190'

The floor of the cove is very lush, covered in rhododendron, dog-hobble, and a plethora of ferns...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,210'

At about the halfway point of the loop the trail crosses the tiny unnamed stream draining Andy Cove via this short footbridge...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,200'

Thanks to the thick understory, the stream flowing beneath the bridge is all but hidden...despite being right over top of it...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,190'

The trail now turns downstream through a thick tangle of rhododendron...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,180'

The very green floor of Andy Cove...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,180'

The trail is briefly forced to climb the steep hillside at a point where the cove narrows near its lower end...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,200'

Another hillside boardwalk to enjoy...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,200'

Overlooking Andy Cove from above...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,190'

Soon the boardwalk ends and a short flight of stairs leads back to the creek...

Andy Cove Nature Trail -- 2,180'

The lower crossing of the stream draining Andy Cove...