Spring Drive Through Apple Country

Hendersonville Welcome Center
201 S. Main St.
Hendersonville, NC 28792

• 28 Miles
• Approximately 1 hour

Spring in Henderson County brings a breathtaking sight: the blooming apple orchards, painting the landscape with hues of pink and white. Embark on a Spring Blossom drive through the picturesque countryside. The apple blossom season typically spans from late-March to mid-April, but it’s all dependent on the weather. To start your adventure, head to the Welcome Center at 201 South Main Street in Hendersonville. From there, follow these directions to see the orchards filled with delicate, pink blossoms.

1. Depart from the Welcome Center, turning right out of the parking lot onto S Main Street, continuing south. Follow this until it intersects with S Church Street, where you will make a left, and then quickly, another left onto Spartanburg Highway / US-176 E
2. Follow Spartanburg Highway to Upward Road, where you will turn left
3. Continue on Upward Road for about 5 miles, and you will see both Lively Orchards and Holt Orchards on your left
4. Almost a mile beyond Holt Orchards, Upward Road changes to Ridge Road — at this intersection, you will see a large church, a post office and a historic gas station
5. About a mile after the road name changes, take a slight left turn onto Academy Road
6. When Academy Road ends, turn left onto Sugarloaf Road, and a quick right onto Hyder Allen Lane, then turn right onto Pace Road, where you will pass Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard on your left
7. 1 mile beyond Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, Pace Road ends; Turn right onto Chimney Rock Road / US-64 E
8. Drive for a little more than a mile, passing Coston Farm & Apple House on your right, and turn left onto S Mills Gap Road, which is right next to the Apple House & Owenby Orchards
9. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto Bearwallow Road — in this area, you will pass many apple orchards, most are packed and sold to grocery stores or turned into apple juice, so they are not open to the public, but offer a beautiful view of the spring blooms
10. After 3 miles, Bearwallow Road ends; Turn left onto Old Clear Creek Road, where you will soon pass Bearwallow Valley Farms, a small, 4th generation family farm that offers CSA, sells at local farmers markets, and, if you are lucky, may have their pop-up roadside stand open as you drive by
11. Remain on Old Clear Creek Road for about 2 miles, and be on the lookout for 2 giant bull statues on your right and one giant Paul Bunyan statue on your left (both are on private property, but can be seen from the road)
12. Turn left onto Garren Road and pass Justus Orchard, and then right onto S Mills Gap Road
13. After 0.7 miles, turn left onto College Street, at the Fruitland Baptist Bible College, and left onto Gilliam Road, which takes you back to Chimney Rock Road / US-64 E
14. Turn right onto Chimney Rock Road / US-64 E, and as you drive back towards downtown Hendersonville, you will pass a number of orchards and produce stands, including Linda’s Plants & Shrubs, Wilke’s Produce, J&M Farms, Grandad’s Apples N Such, Barnwell’s Apple House and Mountain Fresh Orchards
15. Follow Chimney Rock Road / US-64 E and after 4.3 miles, you will find yourself back on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, a few blocks north of the Welcome Center

As you travel this scenic route, be sure to roll down your windows and breathe in the fragrant air. Keep your camera handy to capture the stunning vistas of blooming orchards against the backdrop of the mountains. Don’t forget to stop at roadside stands along the way that are open in the spring, like Barnwell’s Apple House and Linda’s Plants & Shrubs, to get a “taste” of Apple Country, and purchase souvenirs to remember your journey. An Apple Blossom Ride through Henderson County offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike.