Old Fort, just a half hour east of Asheville, is a tiny mountain town big on scenic, outdoor activities. Surrounded by Pisgah National Forest, Old Fort is overflowing with mountain biking and hiking trails. The history-steeped town is also host to a range of activities and annual events celebrating Appalachian heritage.

Old Fort’s name refers to the pioneer-era Davidson's Fort, constructed to protect area settlers from Native American raids. While the fort no longer stands, its history is shared through a series of downtown murals, The 7 Wonders Trail.

With a population of just under 1,000, Old Fort boasts a range of properties offering space to spread out. Log cabins, rambling ranches, and mountain estates dot the area; for those looking to build their dream homes, lots are plentiful. 

The Lure of Old Fort, NC

Old Fort is one of 15 N.C. Mountain Heritage Trout Towns. This designation allows visitors to purchase a special $5, three-day fishing license good for use in any of the state’s mountain trout towns. In downtown Old Fort, the section of Mill Creek bordering Mountain Gateway Museum is a public portion of this stream. The other mountain trout streams in Old Fort are Curtis Creek, Newberry Creek and the upper section of the Catawba River. 

Old Fort is quickly gaining a reputation for its exciting mountain biking and hiking trails. Kitsuma Peak/Young's Ridge, Snooks Nose, Point Lookout Trail, Jarrett Creek and Heartbreak Ridge are just a few favorites in the area, boasting long, rugged trails. The Grandfather Ranger District takes mountain biking to the next level, with extreme descents, demanding trails and remote settings. Catawba Falls Trail, Newberry Creek Trail, Huskins Branch Trail, Point Lookout Trail, and Lead Mine Gap offer miles of trails for hikers to take in dense forests, challenging hills and breathtaking waterfalls.

Festival Fun in Old Fort

Old Fort’s Mountain Gateway Museum, adjacent to its visitor center, offers a range of exhibits reflecting the region’s history. It is also host to several popular Old Fort festivals: The museum’s Pioneer Day is held every year on the last Saturday in April. The North Carolina Gold Festival is held the first Friday/Saturday in June; and Old Fort's Chamber of Commerce sponsors Octoberfest, held the first weekend in October. 

Downtown destinations include Hillman Beer, Kitsbow's Old Fort Ride House, Old Fort Outdoors, and Arrowhead Gallery. Andrews Geyser and the Arrowhead Monument are also popular attractions. Between August and May, Old Fort's Camp Grier offers day passes for visitors to enjoy a disc golf course, horse-riding, a pump track, and walking trails.

Real Estate in Old Fort, North Carolina

For more information about real estate in Old Fort, or anywhere in Asheville or Western N.C., contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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Horse Shoe, N.C., bordered to the north by Mills River and the west by Etowah, is a 7-square-mile sliver of picturesque rolling hills nestled in western Henderson County. The French Broad River (the unincorporated community takes its name from a meander in the famed waterway) runs through the center of Horse Shoe, which is 23 miles south of Asheville. 

Mountain homes dot Horse Shoe, beckoning with long-range views and proximity to amazing outdoor adventures. The population of Horse Shoe is around 2,300, with plenty of space to spread out.The Asheville Regional Airport and I-26 are mere minutes away. The towns of Hendersonville (6 miles east) and Brevard (14 miles southwest) are also easily accessible. 

Waterfalls, hiking and biking abounds near Horse Shoe

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Horse Shoe is brimming with a wide range of nearby activities. Both Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest are a short drive away, offering daytrips overflowing with waterfalls, hiking paths and mountain biking trails – you can even take a horseback trail ride. The area also boasts renowned destinations like Sliding Rock and the Cradle of Forestry. For water activities, the French Broad River and one of its tributaries, the Mills River, are perfect spots for kayaking and tubing.

Just a short drive from Horse Shoe, Sierra Nevada’s Mills River Brewery – its second in the U.S. – offers a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility and Taproom and Restaurant that draw thousands of visitors from all over the region and the world to enjoy tours, tastings and special events, as well as live music indoors and outdoors, in a relaxed family atmosphere. www.sierranevada.com/visit/north-carolina/

Activities of note in Horse Shoe, NC

For world-class music performances, Horse Shoe is just a short drive from the Brevard Music Center’s Summer Festival, which features everything from bluegrass to classical to operatic productions. www.brevardmusic.org. Other nearby popular spots to visit include the Mills River Creamery, offering a range of locally made milk, cheeses and ice cream (www.millsrivercreamery.com), as well as the Bold Rock Hard Cidery, which has daily tours, tastings, flights and food. www.boldrock.com/visit/mills-river-cidery/

Filled with historic buildings and vibrant streetscapes, nearby Hendersonville’s downtown – the largest in Western N.C. outside of Asheville’s – offers many outdoor dining options, as well as unique shops and galleries, along Main Street. Hendersonville also boasts the Cheers! Trail, showcasing 16 craft beverage producers, plus wineries and cideries in the area.

For more information about real estate in Horse Shoe, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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As long-time residents of Asheville, Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty agents and employees make it their mission to work with and support the outstanding area organizations that advocate for the vitality and health of our local and global community. In that spirit, Mosaic is sponsoring Pisgah Legal Service’s Run for Justice 5K – a virtual [...]

When Mike Figura started Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty 11 years ago, the ideas around sustainable development in the Asheville market were gaining traction. Figura’s creation of Mosaic Realty was based on guiding principles grounded in sustainability and community. Possessing degrees from the University of Virginia in Environmental [...]

Marion, N.C., a picturesque town located in McDowell County just off I-40 35 miles east of Asheville, features stunning Blue Ridge beauty and a historic district dotted with unique taprooms, art and farmers’ markets, and annual festivals. Its proximity to exciting outdoor adventures as well as other scenic small towns makes it an ideal spot to explore.

Founded in 1844, the city was named for American Revolutionary War hero Brigadier General Francis Marion. Marion’s Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 11 structures including churches, former hotels, a bank and courthouse among the honored buildings. The restored Marion Depot, the oldest surviving depot on the Western Rail Line, hosts monthly community events. Historic homes open to the public include the Carson House and the Joseph McDowell House.

Marion offers a range of real estate 

Homes in Marion, which has a population hovering near 8,000, range from stately historic mansions to new green builds to modest ranches; available lots mean you can build your dream home from the ground up. Nearby towns to explore include Old Fort, Little Switzerland, Morganton and Black Mountain.

Downtown Marion has seen a revitalization, with new shops, restaurants, music and movie venues, and taprooms popping up in recent years. The downtown Marion Tailgate Market happens twice weekly during the growing season, featuring fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and local crafts.

Outdoor activities abound in Marion

Marion features a handful of parks, as well as a greenway that follows along the Catawba River and provides picnic tables, fitness stations, fishing piers and a canoe launch; local outfitters offer tube and kayak trips. Area hikes and parks include the Mt. Ida Wilderness Area (with a park and hiking trail that features views of downtown Marion); and Woods Mountain (a challenging, 25-mile single-track loop that crosses the Mountains to Sea Trail). 

A short drive away are Lake James, with boating and other water recreation, fishing, camping and hiking opportunities; Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi (6,684 feet); Linville Caverns, the state’s only natural limestone caverns; and many falls, including Linville Falls, Tom’s Creek Falls and Catawba Falls. Nearby wineries, including Silver Fork, South Creek and Lake James Cellars, are nestled along the foothills of the Catawba Valley.

Festivals in downtown Marion include the quirky WNC Bigfoot Festival (September); the Mountain Glory Festival, featuring arts, crafts, food and live entertainment (October); and the Liver Mush Festival (June).

For more information about real estate in Marion, contact us at Info@MyMosaicRealty.com, or call us anytime at 828-707-9556.

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