g Rutherford County

Lake Lure. VISITNC.COM PHOTO

Rutherford County

LAKE LURE | BAT CAVE | CHIMNEY ROCK VILLAGE | GERTON

Rutherford County offers the peace and quiet of scenic country roads, punctuated with spectacular views, an abundance of outdoor activities, a temperate climate, and a unique ecosystem.

The expansive Hickory Nut Gorge, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains, gives visitors and residents the feel that they are in a land unto itself.

Four small townships are in the gorge: Gerton, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock Village, and Lake Lure. Each has its own particular charms, but a common thread that benefits them all is the famed biodiversity of the area.

Hickory Nut Gorge, home to 14 rare animal species and 36 rare plant species, is a haven for biologists, geologists, and birders. It’s studded with streams and stunning rock formations, as well as Hickory Nut Falls, a waterfall with a 404-foot drop that’s one of the biggest in the region. The falls made a big splash on the big screen, serving as the setting for a fight scene in the 1992 film “The Last of the Mohicans.” MORE AT BEVERLY-HANKS.COM Can't wait to live the lake life in Rutherford County? Review a list of things you should consider before deciding whether to sell your current home now or buy a new one first at beverly-hanks.com/ blog/sell-home-buy-home.

Chimney Rock State Park.

The crown jewel is the 6,892-acre Chimney Rock State Park. A climb up the stairs to the top of 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock (or elevator ride) is rewarded with panoramic views as far as 75 miles on some days. The park has a network of trails and ample opportunities for bouldering and rock climbing, along with a rich history that gives it deep ties to the 2021 SALES region. Lake Lure offers visitors a hike in Rutherford County the woods, a thrilling mountain bike ride, a sheer rock face to climb, or a MEDIAN day on the water for fishing, boating, PRICE ........ or kayaking. The lake is also home to a variety of lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities. Nearby are Bat Cave and Chimney Rock Village. In Bat Cave, the Old Cider Mill sells mountain crafts and curios, and, during apple season, freshpressed cider. In Chimney Rock Village, Bubba O’Leary’s General Store offers a trip back in time to an era before chain stores and strip malls.

Hickory Nut Gorge also hosts a wide range of lodging options, from short-term cabin rentals to stately mountain inns.

Less than a mile east of Chimney Rock Village is the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. Boasting more than 2,000 types of plants and flowers, you can also find a picturesque sunset mural. n

$260,000 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET............. 39 PERCENT OF LISTING PRICE......... 90% NUMBER OF UNITS .......... 1,021 AGENT’S CHOICE: “The best food truck in WNC is Relish Food Truck. Don’t believe it? Stop by the corner of Highway 64 and Island Creek Road, and see the locals patiently waiting in line. No one is in a hurry. We are all on Lake Lure time. They offer creative delicacies at reasonable prices. They now have their own space with plenty of parking. Come on down and enjoy the eats!”

— Lyn Weaver, Lake Lure office

Growing a community | LAKE LURE FLOWERING BRIDGE

For more than a decade, the bridge that once connected the main highway through Lake Lure has remained dormant from vehicles of longtime residents and passerby visitors. But, in its place now resides a space of connectivity, cultivation, and community.

“The bridge has become an attraction that our community is proud of,” said Debbie Clark. “The community came together to create it, and they continue to volunteer their services and stay committed to the bridge — this sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Known as the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, the structure is now home to more than 30 different gardens maintained by community members. In total, there are around 2,000 distinct types of flowers and plants represented along the walking path that occupies the bridge, and which also includes murals, garden art, and other structures.

“The bridge development and construction became an object of pride, community involvement, and a way to save the old bridge by creating something beautiful out of it,” said Clark, the marketing chair for the LLFB. “People come into our community to enjoy the flowers, but the bridge also helps our economy because people will visit local stores and restaurants, and stay in rentals.”

Each year, tens of thousands of people come and wander through the garden, which has become a pillar of the community’s cultural and artistic identity. For Clark, the LLFB was — and continues to be — a source of artistic inspiration and natural beauty. It's also why she and her husband decided to call Lake Lure home several years ago.

“We visited the Lake Lure area about 25 years ago. We thought the area was beautiful, clean, and friendly, and we liked the small-town charm,” Clark said. “We started talking about moving somewhere with warmer winters. About six years ago, we found our home, and it was in Lake Lure. There are so many things to do in North Carolina — we enjoy the area and all of what the state has to offer.”

As a Lake Lure resident, Clark is not only delighted at the growth of the project, she’s also one of the community gardeners — in addition to being a landscaper, garden writer, and an acclaimed “Master Gardener.”

“I started gardening when I was a little girl. I’ve always been fascinated with the science of how plants grow, bloom, and reproduce, and just being able to be artistic in creating a garden,” Clark said. “And I find that people who visit the bridge are there for many reasons — they love gardening and being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, forest, flowers, animals, and insects here.”

Built in 1925, the three-arch bridge spans 155 feet over the Broad River. In 2011, when the new bridge was completed for U.S. 64/U.S. 74-A/N.C. 9 and opened to traffic, the old structure might have been dismantled and left to disappear into the annals of history. Luckily, members of Lake Lure stepped up in an effort to not only preserve its past but also perpetuate its future.

“I’m a nature lover and the bridge is my happy place, where I can spend time doing what I love and spend time with others who also enjoy the same things I do,” Clark said. “The bridge gardens are a peaceful, serene place where — for a short period of time — you can forget your problems, have fun with your family or friends, and enjoy what nature has provided for us.” n

Lake Lure Flowering Bridge.