Barnardsville is a magical area full of lush valleys, lots of moving water, and rolling farmland, and much of it borders Pisgah National Forest. There is a tiny little strip with a few buildings which include a small diner named Sheena’s, a post office, and not much else.
The real appeal is the strong sense of community and connection this rural area has. Ivy Creek Family Farm is a great example of small farmers who are dedicating their lives to sustainable local produce. Smiling Hara Tempeh operates out of Barnardsville, and is the passion project of our friend who has created a tasty cultured non-meat alternative super protein! Our dear friend Rob Lenfesty lovingly creates raw, alchemical chocolate at Mandala Chocolate and harvests much of the ingredients from his own land. He also hosts community events, workshops, retreats, at his property Mandala Springs, which I am honored to have sold him several years back. The Big Ivy Community Center is also a community hub for the area, with a library, basketball, playground, and meeting space.
The Mountain Light Sanctuary is a true oasis of calm, where you can sleep in unique off the grid houses, nestled among the trees and by a gushing bold creek. The Coleman Boundary adjoins the Sanctuary and has over 30 miles of hiking trails through Pisgah Forest which impressively spans 500,000 acres through much of Western NC.
Navitat Canopy Adventures is a great get adventurous get away where you can whiz through the trees like a flying squirrel, except that you’re safely tethered to a zip line!
This community is one of our favorites and a great place to explore and live!
