Why You Should Visit Jump Off Rock in Hendersonville, NC

Going to Jump Off Rock. The location, not the activity.

On our trip to Hendersonville, NC we chose not to have a car to get around. Only mode of transportation were Ubers and walking.

We didn't have many options to go out into nature but we were only 3.9 miles from Jump Off Rock Overlook.

Walking to Jump Off Rock Overlook would take 90+ minutes and would be dangerous. It is an uphill walk on a winding road without any sidewalks. So the only way to go up and down would be an Uber.

Appalachian Coffee First

But to get the trip started we needed coffee,

We walked 15 minutes from our cabin to Appalachian Coffee Company. The walk was through quiet neighborhood and 5 minute shortcut through abandoned railroad tracks which took us right to the front entrance of the coffee shop.

We ordered breakfast sandwiches and coffee. I ordered a Cafe Latte and Stacey got Soy Chocolate Latte. The location and the atmosphere was enjoyable.

But coffee and food was below average. We recommend Black Bear Coffee shop in downtown Hendersonville instead.

As we were taking our last few bites and sips, I orderd an Uber. 10 minutes later we were on our way up the winding road to the Jump Off Rock.

The Uber Drive to Jump Off

The driver didn't know his way around Hendersonville or how to get to Jump Off Rock.

On the way to overlook the GPS kept re-calibrating and the Uber driver was freaking out trying to find the right way to get to the top. During the drive I was looking at the road and if there were any way we could have walked instead but we made the right decision to Uber. The walk up or down would have been too risky.

The drive took about 10 minute as we arrived at 3,100-foot elevation to Jump Off Rock.

Jump Off That Rock

There were only a few cars parked. The cold, windy weather kept everyone out. But that's how we like it. No crowds.

The initial view was beautiful. The scenic overlook provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges.

The history behind Jump Off Rock goes back centuries:

"Legend has it, more than 300 years ago, a young Cherokee tribal chief fell in love with a fair maiden. They often met at the top of the rock ledge overlooking the valley. When the young chief was called to war, the young woman promised she would wait at their favorite rock ledge for his return. But when she received word that her love had been killed in battle, she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off. Tribal hunters found her broken body below. Some say that on moonlit nights, you can still see the maiden's ghost at the summit of Jump Off Rock, waiting for her love to return."

Jump Off Rock Hiking

There are three short hiking trails you can go on:

• Blue Trail: This easy trail takes about 10 minutes to complete.
• Yellow Trail: This moderate trail takes around 15 minutes to hike.
• Red Trail: This is the longest and most difficult trail. Plan at least 30 minutes.

We hiked all three. Each was quick and short to do. Along the way there are many pictures you can take to capture the hike. Especially the large rock embedded into the terrain.

After all three hikes we came back up to the Overlook and sat near the oak tree until it was time to order the Uber.

The Uber arrived within 15 minutes and took us down back to the cabin safer than the drive up.

The address for Jump Off Rock is 4433 Laurel Park Hwy., Laurel Park, NC 28739. It's open from dawn to dusk. Entrance is free and there are no restrooms available. You'll have to go somewhere on one of the three short hikes.

Jump Off Rock was a small overlook with a beautiful view. Few short hiking trails to experience nature while in Hendersonville, NC.