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...