Vineyard Gap Trail

Pisgah National Forest

Length: 3.3 miles
Rating: Moderate

Vineyard Gap Trail climbs moderately to the ridge top of Forge Mountain. In the fall and winter, you'll enjoy some nice views.

Begin from the trailhead at a set of steps. Be sure to follow the paint blazes, because some unmaintained side trails intersect. From Forge Mountain the trail makes a sharp turn and drops steeply to the South Mills River, which must be forded. A short side trip downstream will bring you to an old home site, which still has the remains of the foundation. From the South Mills River crossing the trail is easy, though you must ford Bradley Creek three times.

The last section of trail is also open to horses. The trail ends at Bradley Creek Trail, the site of an old iron forge. Some nice campsites are along both South Mills River and Bradley Creek.

Directions:

Begin from Turkey Pen Gap Trailhead at the end of FS Road 297. To reach this trailhead, take Highway 280 to the Transylvania/Henderson County line and turn northwest onto FS Road 297. It is a 5-minute drive to the end.