Fairytale wonderland hidden atop century-old abandoned bridge in NC mountains
Deep in a valley in the North Carolina mountains is an old, three-arch stone bridge built roughly a century ago – and it's the gateway to a fairytale wonderland.
Built in 1925, the narrow two-lane bridge was once the only pathway between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Then, in 2010 the state opened a new, more modern bridge just across the river – leaving the antique stone bridge to be abandoned.
However, a group of citizens swooped in to preserve the historic bridge and, over the next few years, transformed it into a 155-foot span of enchanting gardens, swirling walkways, secret doors and whimsical art. The suspended garden walkway hovers above the Rocky Broad River, tucked away beneath the shadow of multiple craggy mountain peaks.
"It's one of the most magical places you'll ever visit," said Nancy Alexander, who visited the bridge for the first time this year.
Lake Lure Flowering Bridge: Tour the blossoming wonderland
A group of dedicated volunteers with the Friends of Lake Lure Flowering Bridge keep the magic alive year-after-year. This year marks their 10-year anniversary.
The whimsical series of gardens includes multiple flower beds and unique arrangements, including:
- Rose garden
- Tropical garden
- Succulent garden
- Wildflower garden
- Herb garden
There's even a pollinator garden, full of butterflies and bees, and a special space carved out for children and dogs.
With the goal of creating "a gateway to somewhere beautiful," the bridge features several hidden 'coves,' where visitors can discover quiet resting spots for cuddling or contemplating. A curtain of willow branches can be pushed aside to find a secret bench underneath. A hidden walkway tucked behind colorful flowers leads to a quiet spot away from the crowds. Visitors can step through a series of 'floating doorways' with signs like 'Secret Garden' and find entirely new sections of garden. For one bridge, it seems to have an extraordinary amount of pathways and secrets.
Whimsical art, murals and fairy gardens
The Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is covered in more than just flowers: It's also decorated with the whimsical artwork of local artists.
A mural covered in mirrors, a Peter Rabbit selfie station, colorful paintings with inspirational quotes – the landscape is more than just flowers, it's also art. This summer, tiny fairy gardens can be found nestled among the life-sized gardens, decorated with toadstools and tiny fairy doors.
All along the walkways, visitors will find rectangular stones painted to look like storybooks – each with a theme matching the particular area of the garden they reside.
From little stone mosaics to large murals and floating doorways, the garden is a display case for the community's creativity.
A Rainbow Bridge and dog garden
One trail leads off towards the river, where visitors can find North Carolina's real-life Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge has become a popular place for pet-owners to leave emotional memorials to their beloved pets. Installed around a year ago, the Rainbow Bridge is already covered in hundreds of collars, inscribed with messages like, "I'll miss you" and "Goodbye to the best dog ever."
The gardens are pet-friendly and even have a dog area with a 'Stick Library," where pets can borrow the perfect stick to play with.
Podcast: Listen to WRAL's Hidden Historian describe her visit to the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
WRAL's Amanda Lamb and Hidden Historian Heather Leah discuss the firsthand magic of visiting the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge in our latest podcast!
Down by the edge of the river, visitors can get a view of the old stone bridge – just as it looked a century ago, only now transformed into a storybook garden trail hidden in the NC mountains.
