French Broad River Paddle Trail

The Cherokee called it Tahkeeosteh — racing waters — downstream from Asheville, and Zillicoah above the confluence. European settlers later named it the French Broad. Whatever you call it, the river predates the mountains it cuts through, one of the oldest rivers in the world, flowing 218 miles from headwaters near Rosman, North Carolina, to its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville.

The French Broad River Paddle Trail, opened in 2012, connects more than 140 miles of that river — from Rosman to Douglas Lake in Tennessee — as a leave-no-trace water trail with paddle-in-only campsites spaced roughly eight to ten miles apart. The trail was envisioned by RiverLink, a regional nonprofit working on the economic and environmental revitalization of the river since 1987, along with a host of partners. More than 150 volunteers built it out: clearing invasive species, constructing picnic tables, building rock stairs, planting trees, and putting together fire rings. Three campsites maintained by RiverLink are free and open without reservations; others cost $25 per night, with reservations through frenchbroadpaddle.com.

The first 75 miles run mainly flat — the stretch through Asheville included — with the remainder offering a mix of class I, II, and III rapids. The river passes through Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests, receives the Swannanoa River in Asheville, pushes north through Hot Springs, and eventually enters Douglas Lake, created by the TVA's Douglas Dam roughly 32 miles upstream from the river's mouth.

MountainTrue, the nonprofit that developed and oversees the trail, also runs a guided multi-day float each year — boats and meals provided — led by the French Broad Riverkeeper. Outfitters including French Broad Outfitters, Asheville Adventure Co., and Hike Bike Kayak operate along the river for those who need gear or guidance without the full expedition.