Grand Highlands at Bearwallow Mountain

Hendersonville, NC

About Grand Highlands at Bearwallow Mountain

A truly welcoming mountain community, perfectly located between Asheville and Hendersonville

“Situated nearly 4,000 feet above sea level, it has been described as an “open meadow placed upon a mountaintop,” and affords some of the most spectacular views in Eastern America. It’s surrounded by mountain ridges & peaks, rocky cliffs, richly forested slopes & coves, and cool, clear streams & waterfalls. The nutrient-rich soil and unique climate have given rise to numerous rare species of plants and animals that make their home here. And thanks to the laudable efforts by conservation organizations working with generous landowners, large tracts of land have been conserved to protect these wonders, and an extensive network of public hiking trails has been created to allow nature lovers to get close to it all.

Many say living in Grand Highlands feels like living in a National Park—like they’re a hundred miles away from the nearest city, but it’s actually located within a 20-35 minute drive to some of the most popular destinations in the country, including Asheville, Hendersonville, Chimney Rock/Lake Lure, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The region’s many cultural, culinary, music, and outdoor adventure “must experience” spots have garnered numerous #1 and 5-star accolades in the national media. Its magnificent scenery has been featured in blockbuster movies like The Hunger Games, Last of the Mohicans, and Dirty Dancing (the last two filmed just a few miles from here).” - Grand Highlands website.

Community Features:

Grand Community Lodge
Dog-friendly with expansive dog park
Tennis/Pickleball court with Pickleball “club”
Well equipped fitness center w/ classes
Community library
Community garden
Socially active, on-site events calendar with “Pub Night”, “Trivia Night”, Karaoke, invited guest speakers, concerts + music events
Perfect landscape for walking and hiking
Helicopter landing area in community
Convenient to Asheville, Hendersonville and Lake Lure
Two trailheads right next to the community: Bearwallow Mountain Trail, and Trombatore Trail which connects to Wildcat Rock Trail.
Bearwallow Mountain Trail: You can also set up private group yoga sessions at the top of the grassy ridge top meadow with “Yoga on the Mountain” with Kim Drye and Asheville Wellness Tours.

Download Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail Map

Local Recommendations

“There are so many wonderful local food spots, hiking trails and nature walks...we have it all...and if you have a motorcycle, just go for a ride and enjoy this breathtaking place we live in.”

— Thunder Mountain Rd Owner

“Within 30 minutes of Grand Highlands, we have six active wineries, more than five apple orchards, and two farms including flying cloud farm in fairview where I love picking up fresh vegetables.”

— Grand Highlands Resident

Favorite Nearby Experience:

“Kim Drye at Asheville Wellness Tours offers the most wonderful ‘Yoga on the Mountain’ hike and yoga practice for private groups. The Bearwallow Mountain hike is right in our backyard and I hired her to take myself and some visiting friends for a nearby, unforgettable experience. It’s just another gem about living here that I love.” — Grand Highlands Resident

Favorite Trail: Urban Biking: Swamp Rabbit Trail

“Start in Traveler’s Rest and take that all the way down to Greenville. The whole ride is loaded with restaurants and boutiques. It's really a great urban bike ride!” — Thunder Mountain Rd Owner

“Scenes from the Swamp Rabbit Trail...and my first ride on Clifford since before Hurricane Helene. It felt so great to be back pedaling outside that I ended up riding the entire trail for a 31.3 mile double out and back. There are so many places I didn't get to explore along the trail but the swamprabbitcafe was the perfect start point with a apple chai scone and also a finish line for a Gouda Gobbler Sandwich!” — Local bike rider and instagram account

The Swamp Rabbit Trail Network is a 28-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the City of Greenville, South Carolina. Uncorked Asheville’s Guide to Swamp Rabbit Trail

*photo courtesy of the Greenville Journal

Must Do: Biltmore Estate: Seasonal Pass

“We love to take the dogs to walk the grounds, stopping to take photos of the gardens. In the spring they have an azalea garden that blooms every color under the rainbow.” — Thunder Mountain Rd Owner

Don’t miss Spring at Biltmore, when our glorious gardens and Blue Ridge Mountain landscapes awaken in evolving waves of color. Making your spring visit all the more breathtaking: the March 21 premiere of Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures.

*photo courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Entertainment: Flat Rock Playhouse & Hendersonville Theater

“We have not one fantastic local theater, but TWO close by! The shows at both Hendersonville Theater and Flat Rock Theater are wonderful and we love to get a group together and go.” — Grand Highlands Resident

“Flat Rock Playhouse is officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. They present a stellar line-up of shows since they are a Professional Equity Theatre. It's just 30 minutes from Asheville in the village of Flat Rock near Hendersonville. What began as a few weeks of summer performances in 1940 is now the year-long season of productions including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and concerts.” - via RomanticAsheville.com

Hendersonville Theater also features exceptional talent and wonderful shows. “HT’s mission is to enrich our community by serving as a beacon of performing arts, inspiring, empowering, and educating through engaging in transformative experiences.”

*photo courtesy of the Flat Rock Playhouse

Asheville’s Music Scene: The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, Highlands Brewing

“People don’t realize what a stellar music scene Asheville really has. We get big name artist across all genres that come and play here, not to mention the fantastic smaller venues and shows that are incredible. Check out ‘Golden Folk Sessions’ for local folk artist shows at the Grey Eagle as well as the big places like Orange Peel and Highlands Brewery etc.” — Grand Highlands Resident

*photo courtesy of The Orange Peel

Six Active Vineyards Nearby: Souther Williams Vineyard, Point Lookout Winery, Stone Ashe Winery, Burnt Shirt Vineyards, St. Paul Mountain Vineyards, Sawyer Springs Vineyard, Marked Tree Vineyards

Hendersonville’s Crest of The Blue Ridge Wine Trail: For a romantic afternoon outing, head to the Hendersonville area for North Carolina's newest wine country! Sample dozens of award-winning wines while enjoying beautiful settings with vineyard and Blue Ridge Mountains views. The Crest of the Blue Ridge Wine Trail (about 25 miles south of downtown Asheville) includes six vineyards producing high-quality wines. Crest of the Blue Ridge received federal designation as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2019. Only regions with distinctive soil, climate, and elevation — such as Napa Valley and Sonoma — earn this designation.

*photo courtesy of TripAdvisor guest and Souther Williams Vineyard

Best Nearby Tacos:

“The best taco is hands down the beer battered cauliflower taco at Cafeteria & Taqueria La Jarochita. These tacos are the most divine thing in the world!” — Thunder Mountain Rd Owner

*photo courtesy of La Jarochita