Trombatore Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Trombatore Trail begins at the Bearwallow Gap trailhead, on the opposite side of the road as the Bearwallow Mountain trailhead. You'll pass through the Upper Brush Creek watershed on your way to the exceptionally scenic Blue Ridge Pastures.

After passing the trailhead kiosk, hike down toward Upper Brush Creek via a series of switchbacks. After about a half mile, you can see a picturesque tree with a uniquely curved trunk. Only 100 yards past that, the trail passes another interesting tree. Look below you to the right to spot a giant buckeye that is the largest tree on the entire property. Its many burls may be the reason that loggers who once timbered the tract chose to leave it standing. The tree now stands more than 100 feet tall and is likely more than 150 years in age.

At 1.1 miles, the singletrack trail junctions with a grassy road. Turn right and follow the road uphill, following signs at several more junctions until trail resumes as a singletrack path, 1.8 miles in. Another uphill climb will take you to the grassy meadow of Blue Ridge Pastures at 2.4 miles. Turn left and hike to the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, including Bearwallow Mountain, Florence Nature Preserve, Little Pisgah Mountain, and Wildcat Rock. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mountains to the north.

The Trombatore Trail is named for the Trombatore family, who generously donated a public trail easement across their land. While this is private land, they made it open to the public to share the natural wonders of their property.