Pisgah Passage: A New Name for Transylvania County’s Scenic Trail Loop
A scenic 20-mile trail loop in Transylvania County, North Carolina, is now officially known as Pisgah Passage. This name was chosen from nearly 300 submissions in the Pisgah Conservancy’s “Name This Loop” contest held over the summer months.
Brevard resident Maria Whitehead, whose entry won the competition, shared her thoughts on the name: “When I sat on my porch swing reflecting on what a fun name might be, I thought of ‘passage,’” Whitehead stated. “It’s both the physical corridor or pathway, and the act of moving through it — the trail and the adventure.”
The Pisgah Passage offers an exciting experience for both hikers and mountain bikers, linking Pisgah National Forest with Bracken Preserve and extending into the City of Brevard. This loop incorporates several existing trails, including the Stony Knob Trail, Joel Branch Road, Horse Cove Road, the Estatoe Trail, the Brevard Greenway, and the Bracken Mountain Trail. More details about the trail can be found here.
Brevard City Council member Mac Morrow expressed enthusiasm for the trail, stating, “If you have not explored this outdoor space, you are in for a treat, as this loop has one of the best experiences our Pisgah has to offer… and it is right here, in our backyard.”
The decision on the trail’s new name was made by a committee consisting of members from the U.S. Forest Service, the City of Brevard, and the Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority.
