Exercise Trail, Andy Cove Nature Trail, and Davidson River Trail, Pisgah Forest

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
9/15/2023	2.6 miles	1 hour 37 minutes	87'	1.8 mph	186.6

Parking: 

• Art Loeb Trailhead, near Davidson River Campground

Map:

• Pisgah Map Co., Pisgah Ranger District
• Gaia GPS app

Directions:

• The Exercise Trail starts across the road from the parking lot (same side of the bridge). From there follow the gravel path, and then take a trail to the right to stay on the Exercise Trail (we missed this). Cross Route 276 and continue on the Exercise Trail. At the Pisgah Ranger Station there is an intersection. Turn right onto the Andy Cove Nature Trail (a loop). Follow the loop back to the Exercise Trail. Since we are working on the Pisgah 400 challenge, we turned left onto the Exercise Trail and hiked back to the intersection of the Andy Cove Nature Trail. We then turned around and continued back on the Exercise Trail. The Exercise Trail turns left and crosses Route 276 and the Davidson River. Turn left again and follow the Davidson River Trail. Pass the English Church. Turn left at the next bridge crossing over the Davidson River to return to the parking lot. 

Carolina Mountain Club Challenge:

• Pisgah 400 - #344 Exercise Trail
• Pisgah 400 - #288 Andy Cove Nature Trail

We were looking for an easy shorter trail today, so we headed over to Pisgah to do a loop trail. This is our second time hiking on the Davidson River Trail, but we haven't hiked on the Exercise Trail nor the Andy Cove Nature Trail before. We used the Gai app for navigation, because the trail is so small on the paper map that it's a little hard to follow. We managed to miss the Exercise Trail leaving the Davidson River, so our mileage is actually longer than doing the hike as per our directions. The Exercise Trail was a little dull. It wasn't bad, but it just was dull. The Andy Cove Nature Trail was actually very pretty though, with a lot of nice trail work on it. We then walked along the Davidson River. We found a path down to the river and sat down and let Krumm wade in it (it was pretty shallow). From there, we continued on passing the English Church. I had been hoping to stop and sketch it, but I forgot my sketchbook at home. This was an easy hike, with very little elevation gain and easy footing. We stopped at Dolly's Dairy Bar on the way home - their small ice cream was huge. Next time I'll ask for the kiddie size!

Walking along the Davidson River on the Exercise Trail, before it turns off into the woods.

This is where we should have left the trail next to the river and turned right.

On the Andy Cove Nature Trail

There is even a suspension bridge over the cove. 

He's not a fan of bouncy suspension bridges.

The end of the nature trail.

Pisgah Ranger Station - I forgot my mask, so I didn't go inside.

Crossing the Davidson River

Lots of car noise from the road on the other side of the river, but otherwise a great spot to play.

He loves hikes that involve swimming.