A rural community called Horse Shoe that wasn’t named for horses at all
Horse Shoe is a rural, unincorporated community on the edge of Henderson County in the Appalachian Highlands. Its elevated, verdant landscape is dotted by farms and other sprawling multiacre properties. The community was named for a horseshoe-shaped bend in the French Broad River on its west side. Today, that bend has a popular river access point, says local Joshua Masella, a Realtor with Mossy Oak Properties Carolina Timber & Realty. “People tube and kayak all over the French Broad, and farther south, there are more rivers.” Horse Shoe is about 15 miles north of DuPont State Recreational Forest. “As far as hikes and things to do out there, it’s endless,” Masella says. “There are tons of waterfalls. It’s beautiful, beautiful country out here.”
A mix of old and new custom-built properties
Single-family homes in Horse Shoe have a median price of around $675,000. The community features a mix of old and new construction, from midcentury Dutch Colonial Revivals and split-level residences to contemporary farmhouses and Craftsman Revivals. Many properties are sequestered from the main road by acres of land and a long driveway. Modest lots – around an acre or less – are available on more densely populated streets like Larchmont Drive.
All of Horse Shoe’s zone schools are graded B-plus or higher on Niche
Henderson County Public Schools receives an overall B-plus on Niche. Horse Shoe has two elementary school zones. Most kids on the northside go to Mills River Elementary, graded A-minus, while those on the southside attend Etowah Elementary, also graded A-minus. Rugby Middle gets an A-minus as well, and West Henderson High earns a B-plus. The high school offers college-level Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including AP Biology, AP Chemistry and AP Calculus AB. It also has a robust selection of athletics, with junior varsity and varsity options for softball and baseball.
Abundant outdoor recreation in and around Horse Shoe
Although Horse Shoe is home to various mountain trails, many are little-known or unmarked, prompting residents to explore the hardwood forests of their community. The 48-acre Mills River Park is a recreational hub less than 5 miles from the heart of Horse Shoe. It offers visitors a variety of amenities, from tennis and pickleball courts to a playground and a dog park. Residents can also look into golf and country clubs around Horse Shoe for recreation. Etowah Valley Golf Club features a championship course within a 5-mile drive of the community.
The Silo Cookhouse at The Horse Shoe Farm and food options in Etowah
The Horse Shoe Farm is a luxury resort with lodging, a spa and The Silo Cookhouse, a popular fine-dining restaurant. The upscale indoor-outdoor eatery is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, serving contemporary farm-to-table fare. More casual dining options are just across the river in Etowah, which also has the nearest supermarket, Ingles. It’s a short drive down U.S. Route 64 to the heart of Etowah, where hungry locals find favorites like The Salt Landing, a family-owned hangout popular for fresh seafood and craft beer.
Proximity to the nearest major cities, highways, hospitals and airport
Horse Shoe is about a 20-mile drive from the North Carolina-South Carolina border. U.S. Route 64 runs through its south side and is the most direct way to Downtown Hendersonville, about 6 miles away. Asheville is roughly 24 miles north. Drivers can take scenic routes to the city via backroads like Old Haywood Road, but Interstate 64 is typically faster. The closest ramp onto the interstate, the nearest hospital – AdventHealth Henderson – and Asheville Regional Airport are each within a 10-mile drive.
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Written By
Micaela Willoughby
