HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA The Mountains Came Calling

WRITTEN BY: DAVE KELLY

The mountains of western North Carolina came calling. And spring was the perfect time to answer their summons.

But with so many highland towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains to choose from, is there one that stands above the rest that can call us away from Florida’s impending summer heat to enjoy the fresh cool Appalachian air?

Yes, Hendersonville does.

Our pre-trip research showed that this picturesque city features challenging scenic hiking trails, outdoor family activities and rustic cozy accommodations. Throw in an eclectic mix of wineries, breweries, cideries and dining options, and we could not resist a trip to check it out.

The city sits at an altitude of about 2,300 feet and settles in between dozens of surrounding peaks that check in at over 5,000. Its accessible downtown area is home to dozens of specialty restaurants, intimate pubs, unique shops and assorted museums and galleries.

Start With A Home Base

So where is the best place to stay to absorb the Hendersonville vibe? Our exploration led us to Echo Mountain Inn, a 125-year-old building with luxury, peace and quiet and a bit of local history.

Built by Jacksonville’s John and Jessie Patterson in 1896 as a private summer home, it was converted in the 1930s into “Happiness,” a camp for teenage girls where the original pool was created from an abandoned reservoir.

New owners soon gave it the Echo Mountain Inn moniker, with each ensuing proprietor improving the building and property while keeping that warm North Carolina feel.

Our pre-trip research showed that this picturesque city features challenging scenic hiking trails, outdoor family activities and rustic cozy accommodations.

In fact, rooms in the 1930s wing of the property still have wood-burning fireplaces for winter visitors.

The huge common area features a sun porch, oversized comfy couches and an enormous fireplace for a relaxing atmosphere with books, games and coffee. The dining room, which has a specialty breakfast included in your room rate, allows for stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery.

The Bonnema family purchased Echo Mountain Inn in 2019 and have worked hard to continue the renovations on its 28 guest rooms while keeping the classic look and feel of the property. The family is hands on, providing helpful advice and input as to what to do and where to go in the area. Their attention to detail and passion for the property make it the perfect place for a romantic getaway, a family vacation or a corporate retreat.

Called To Hendersonville

We were called to Hendersonville largely because of the mountains, so after checking in at Echo Mountain Inn we headed back out the door and right down the street to the very top of Echo Mountain, where we found the famous Jump Off Rock.

Native American legend has it that over 300 years ago a young Cherokee maiden got word that her partner and chief had been killed in battle, so she climbed to the top of the mountain and jumped. On full moon nights, legend has it that you can still see her haunting the precipice at Jump Off Rock.

The climb to Jump Off Rock rewarded our efforts with breathtaking panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountain and Pisgah Mountain ranges, with an onsite map that notes each impressive peak that is visible. The park also has a shaded trail system with comfortable to moderate hikes leaving from and returning to Jump Off Rock. This city park area is often utilized for year-round weddings and family outings. Looking to increase the challenge of our hikes, we headed out the next day to DuPont State Recreational Forest and the trails that head up to the 125-foot tall Triple Falls waterfall. Less than 15 miles from the Echo Mountain Inn, this lush park features trails leading to three distinct waterfall areas. We chose to test our Florida flatlander legs by making the longer 2.2-mile round trip, allowing us to see the glorious High Falls along the way. Not content with that, we took the staircase path down to the flat rock plateau between the falls and visited picturesque Hooker Falls. It was great to see that many hikers had brought their dogs for the trek. Later in the week we tackled the challenging Bearwallow Mountain Trail. At 4,232 feet, Bearwallow Mountain reaches the highest elevation in Henderson County, so we were excited to test our stamina and ability. A winding 2.1-mile loop trail considered by fellow hikers to be demanding but not overly difficult takes you snaking up the mountainside through the verdant landscape.

This picturesque, vibrant and pedestrian friendly city has a flourishing culinary scene interspersed with boutique and regional retail, distinctive museums and traditional pubs.

From bottom to top and back it takes the average hiker about 90 minutes to complete, and wow is it worth it. Sunset views from the plateau at the mountain’s summit were stunning. And the sense of accomplishment knowing that we tackled and mastered the area’s highest peak stayed with us throughout the trip and beyond.

The trail is maintained by volunteers like the Carolina Mountain Club Friday Crew, so there is no charge to use it. And the route is open to visitors and hikers year-round.

All that exercise and activity led us to downtown Hendersonville regularly to satisfy our hunger and quench our thirst. This picturesque, vibrant and pedestrian friendly city has a flourishing culinary scene interspersed with boutique and regional retail, distinctive museums and traditional pubs. Over the course of our trip, we visited many of these locations to get the feel of this lively city.

Mast General Store

Many come with histories and information about their popularity and their place in the growth of electronic entertainment. Favorites such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man and Pinball Wizard in a theater styled museum with food, drink and snacks.

Shine Hendersonville

Owners Bobby and Layla Rogers spent over a decade developing Hendersonville’s most unique restaurant concept. All effort was made to re-utilize the original brick, stone and heart-pine wood while creating the new restaurant. A new rooftop and historic storefront were installed and Shine opened in 2019 with an eclectic menu that is creative and innovative yet nods to Southern flavors, all fresh and made in-house. Our meal and the service were delightful.