Covering 495,000 acres of the Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina are two segments of Pisgah National Forest. The two main mountain chains and several lesser ranges encompassed by the forest have 20 6,000-foot peaks, including 6,684-foot
Mount Mitchell, highest summit east of the Mississippi River. Part of the Appalachian Trail winds along the northwest boundary of the forest. Hwy 276, which runs for 37 miles between Brevard and Waynesville, is part of the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway and affords access to several points of interest.
