Mountain Biking, Cycling & Brevard's BAT System

Meraki Escape's luxury mountain cabins are perfectly situated in Transylvania County, the MECCA for Mountain Biking and Cycling! Brevard features a temperate climate where you can ride most of the year. Gravity riders can play on plenty of rocks, roots and drops and cross country racers have hundreds of miles for training. The Blue Ridge Parkway can be magical and our Forest and Park roads are a rider’s paradise. Brevard's BAT system of paved trails is perfect for a self-guided bike tour of our Breweries. Meraki Escape has a bike washing station and each cabin has a bike shed for storage.

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Bikers love the 4.5 miles of paved easy cruising on the BAT. Along the path there are breweries, bike shops, grocery stores and other destinations such as Brevard’s Lumber Arts District and Brevard's Dog Park just to name a few. For the more enthusiastic cyclist, the northwest portion follows the scenic Davidson River, where the BAT connects to another trail leading to North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail (Segment 2: The Balsams). Park at the Depot Railroad Park or Lowes. The trail from the Depot Railroad Park to Lowe's takes about 45 minutes round trip with no stops.


Bike to Brewery Tour

Guests love this self-guided bike to brewery tour in downtown Brevard. We suggest that guest park at the Depot Railroad Park and start their tour off at Upcountry Brewing for their first beverage. From there head over to Oskar Blues for a famous pale ale. Next bike over to Ecusta Brewery and soak up the mountain view. After that head back to Noblebräu Brewing which is home of 185 King Street an amazing indoor/outdoor music venue. Grab your beer and make your way out back to the bier garden to listen to the band.  The perfect way to end to an awesome day!

Out & Back Gorges State Park 1/2 mile from Meraki Escape


KILLER GRAVEL RIDE:  This 14+ mile killer gravel ride starting at the Frozen Creek trailhead travels along the Auger Hole trail. It’s remote and rugged. For more adventure continue along Chestnut Mountain Road to the Grassy Ridge parking area for the waterfalls trails (Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls).


BEGINNER RIDE:  Out & back dirt 10.9mile ride with a 1903 elevation gain that takes 1:15-3hrs . 

a person riding a bike down a trail in the woods
a man is standing next to a bicycle in front of a waterfall .

Wheels and Waterfalls


DuPont State Forest’s trail systems provide an endless supply of loop variations, so go with the flow. While there are 23+ biking trails in Pisgah National Forest we suggest guests combine an easy ride with a swimming hole on the Whale Back Falls trail. 

a person is riding a bicycle down a road at sunset .


Riders can start at Champion Pool Park or Headwaters Outfitters (3.6 miles from Meraki Escape). This 32.53km loop takes about 1:15 hours and boasts a 565m elevation gain. Stop at the Forks on the River Taproom for a post ride beverage.


If that ride isn't long enough combine it with the East Fork Loop which starts from Champion Pool Park as well.

a man is riding a red bicycle on a path .

Road & Dirt Biking Routes in Transylvania County


TC RIDES

Here's our top 6 rides featuring winding roads, beautiful views, smooth grades and steep climbs – all starting from Downtown Brevard!


Top Dupont Rides


Top Pisgah Forest Rides


Longer Popular Rides


Explore more roads and dirt biking routes in Transylvania County, NC

a group of people are riding bicycles down a road in the woods .

Mountain Bike Tour Guides


Red Wolf Mountain Bike Tours.  They offer Meraki Escape guests a private, half or full day, guided mountain bike ride in Pisgah National Forest.  They know the best direction to ride the trails, the easiest ways to make loops, trails appropriate for your skill level, and the bail out points if something goes wrong.  Their guides take the stress of route finding so you can focus on having the most fun possible!


Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure.  They offer private guided mountain bike trips in Pisgah and Dupont that are customized to guests tastes and ability levels. In their 11th season guiding in Western North Carolina, their trips show that experience and superior customer service truly matters. In an effort to improve guide services they now have two guides with Level 1 PMBIA(Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) certifications that will complement any guide trip with skills instruction.

a man and a child are riding bikes on a trail .

The Everything Biking Guide


Explore Brevard’s BIKE Transylvania Guide is jam packed with everything bike Brevard (where & when to ride, services, gear, and more) Check it out online or grab a copy at the Visitor Center.

a group of cyclists are riding down a road .

Races


Assault on the Carolinas

AOTC is an annual fundraiser attracting more than 1,000 riders to Brevard yearly. 100k and 50k rides through North and South Carolina mountains and valleys. Fully supported with 5 well stocked rest stops, bathroom facilities, traffic support at major intersections and a hot lunch after the ride. All rides start and finish from Main Street in downtown Brevard.


Blue Ridge Adventures

A grassroots race production company based in Pisgah Forest, NC featuring 8 premier endurance events. They have developed a growing and well-earned reputation for quality singletrack woven into the tallest and most rugged mountains this side of the Mississippi. Company founder Todd Branham utilizes his experience as a professional trail builder in understanding the flow of the terrain to lay out courses that deliver a unique euphoric race experience. Many of their events such as the Sasquatch Scrambler and Pisgah State Race sell out quickly so register early. 

A row of bicycles are lined up in a store.

Bike Shops and Rentals


The 2 closest bike shops are Earth Mountain Bicycle and  Squatch Bikes & Brews. Both offer supplies, service and rentals.


Earth Mountain Bicycle is located on Main Street in downtown Brevard.  They host a free monthly Thursday night ride during the summer and fall.  If you join them you'll likely get to meet David as he usually joins. Meraki Favorite


Squatch Bikes & Brews is located in Brevard’s Lumberyard Arts District (grab a beer while you’re there). Earth Mountain is on Main Street in downtown. 

a person is standing next to a muddy bicycle

Meraki Escape's BIKE WASHING STATION


COMING SOON! At Meraki Escape’s Bike Washing Station we offer guests non-abrasive soap, brushes, air pump, and tools to clean and make quick repairs on the bike.


When should you wash your bike… The easiest answer is BEFORE and after a ride.  The most important reason to wash your mountain bike is invasive species. From kudzu to buckthorn, invasive species can choke out native plants and lower the biodiversity of our natural area. Invasive species propagate through the spreading of seeds. Removing seeds by spraying down your bike before and after your ride, especially the lower half, can often whisk away stragglers. We thank you for helping us keep invasive species away from Meraki Escape’s grounds.

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