Bridges and footlogs are an important part of the Pisgah trail experience – helping keep users safer and our ecosystems healthier.
We invite you, your family, and your friends to hike, bike, or ride to visit some of the bridges built or repaired by The Pisgah Conservancy’s Trail Crew.
The Challenge
This self-guided challenge is an adventure you can complete in any order and at your own pace. To complete the challenge, make your way to each bridge destination listed below between April 15, 2026 and August 15, 2026. That’s one bridge destination per month!
Don’t forget to snap a selfie or creative photo of yourself on at least one of the bridges on each route, and keep a record of the date you visited each bridge destination.
Once you’ve completed all the stops, complete the challenge log and submit it, along with at least one photo of yourself with one of the bridges, to [email protected].
Choose any route you like to get to the bridges – and hike, bike, or horseback ride – as long as you follow the rules for each trail.
Always let someone know where you are going, your expected return time, and make sure you pack the ten essential items for every hike!
Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a small prize, and an invitation to join us for a celebration in September 2026. All participants will also be entered into a drawing to receive an overnight stay at Pilot Cove.
Have fun out there!
The Bridges
1. Avery Creek and Buckhorn Gap Bridge
Check out a 35-foot bridge that crosses Avery Creek near the junctions of Avery Creek and Buckhorn Gap trails. The construction of this bridge in 2025 coincided with turnpike improvements, trail decommissioning, and stream bank restoration.
Where is the bridge?
0.8 miles from Avery Creek trailhead or, 0.8 miles from Buckhorn Gap trailhead crossing Avery Creek.
Explore: Many routes and loops are possible in this area. Check out Avery Creek Falls and/or Twin Falls.
BONUS! On Buckhorn Gap trail, our Trail Crew replaced three footlog bridges – 25, 30, and 25 feet long – that had been washed out by Tropical Storm Fred and further damaged by Helene.
2. Cat Gap Loop Bridges
After Tropical Storm Fred destroyed a bridge on the east side of Cat Gap Loop trail in 2022, our Trail Crew built a more durable, higher-elevated replacement from the trailhead. This project was supported by Pisgah Project Day volunteers! In 2026, the crew replaced a nearby footlog that had been on its last legs for years.
Where are the bridges?
0.2 and 0.4 miles from the Fish Hatchery parking lot traveling from the far side of the parking lot, where the trail kiosks are located.
Explore: Cat Gap Loop trail has wonderful spring wildflowers. You can also use Cat Gap Loop trail to connect to John Rock trail to see expansive views of the mountains, including the iconic pluton, Looking Glass Rock.
3. Estatoe and Art Loeb Trail Bridges (8 bridges)
In spring 2024, we began a multiphase rehabilitation of the Estatoe trail, which connects the Art Loeb trail to downtown Brevard, to address significant deferred maintenance.
Volunteers on Pisgah Project Day 2024 helped remove 580 feet of rotting boardwalk, and our Trail Crew replaced it with 469 feet of new 7-foot-wide turnpike and built seven bridges – six with fiberglass beams and one with dimensional lumber – over the trail’s wettest sections.
The crew also repaired and replaced a trail bridge on the Art Loeb trail at its intersection with Estatoe trail. Washed off its moorings by Hurricane Helene, the 30-foot bridge was reset atop new, more durable abutments to provide higher, safer passage over the water crossing.
Where are the bridges?
The Estatoe bridges are found all along the approximately 1-mile length of the trail, concentrated towards the middle of the trail.
Explore: The Estatoe trail connects to the Brevard Greenway on one end and leads to Davidson River Campground on the other. It’s a pleasant walk along the river, and also a segment of the larger 20-mile Pisgah Passage loop connecting Pisgah with the City of Brevard and Bracken Preserve.
4. Looking Glass Rock Bridge
In 2025, our Trail Crew stabilized an existing bridge after identifying movement at one corner. Using a bottle jack and carefully placed rock support, the bridge was leveled and secured to restore stability.
Where is the bridge?
600 feet from the trailhead parking area.
Explore: Looking Glass Rock trail is one of the most popular in Pisgah. The full trail is a strenuous six-miles round trip. At the top, hikers are rewarded with sweeping mountain vistas.
5. Pilot Cove-Slate Rock Bridge
On Pilot Cove-Slate Rock trail, after the previous bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, our Trail Crew hauled in materials and constructed a beautiful new 24-foot-long trail bridge across the first stream crossing with approach ramps through a beautiful tunnel of rhododendron and mountain laurel.
Where is the bridge?
This bridge is located approximately 2.1 from the Wolf Ford Group Camp parking area. Walk down Yellow Gap Road and turn left on Pilot Cove-Slate Rock trail. Keep left at the intersection with Pilot Cove Loop trail to reach the bridge.
Explore: If you are up for a longer and more challenging hike, hike the entire Pilot Cove-Slate Rock trail loop for spectacular views.
BONUS! A second bridge built by our Trail Crew is about a half mile further up the trail. Check it out!
Share the Challenge
Posting your photos on social media? Use #PisgahBridge and tag us on Facebook or Instagram!