I’d had Andrews Valley Rail Tours on my list of places to visit for quite some time. I first came across it two or three years ago and immediately thought it looked like something we’d enjoy.

But life had other plans for a while. My husband’s work took us to Texas, where we spent part of our time, and our usual travels took a bit of a back seat. Still, I never forgot about those rail bikes winding through the North Carolina mountains. So when we finally had the opportunity to go, you can imagine how excited we were!

And what a day we picked. The sunshine was beautiful, the mountain air felt wonderful, and the temperature couldn’t have been more comfortable for an afternoon outdoors. Fall was just beginning to show off a little, with touches of gold, orange, and red appearing among the green trees. It wasn’t quite peak foliage season, but it didn’t need to be. The mountains were absolutely beautiful.

A Little Lunch Before the Adventure

Before our afternoon rail-bike tour, we stopped for lunch at Morning Fog Café & Bistro in Andrews. It was a nice chance to sit down, enjoy burgers and fries, and take our time before heading to the tracks.

If you’re planning an afternoon tour, leaving time for lunch in town is worth considering. I’d check the café’s current hours before visiting, especially if you’re working around a scheduled departure.

Finally, It Was Time to Ride

Seeing the rail bikes lined up made the adventure feel real at last. These aren’t ordinary bicycles: you sit in a cart that travels along the railroad tracks, with pedal assist to help along the way.

As we started pedaling, the mountain views opened up around us. There was sunshine overhead, fresh air all around, and the first hints of fall color scattered through the trees. After waiting so long to do this, I couldn’t have asked for a prettier setting.

The route toward the tunnel has a gentle uphill grade, so you do feel yourself working a little. But with the pedal assist, it was manageable, and I loved that we were actually part of the ride rather than simply sitting back and watching the scenery pass.

The Tunnel Was Worth the Wait

One of the moments I’d been looking forward to most was coming up to the old railroad tunnel. The tracks led us through the trees toward that dark opening in the mountains, and seeing it ahead was amazing.

We stopped near the tunnel while the guides turned the rail bikes around for the return trip. Because we traveled back along the same track, each cart had to be turned to face the other direction. That pause gave us time to walk around, wander by the little creek, explore the tunnel, and listen to the guide share some of the railroad’s history.

The historic Valley River Tunnel dates to the late 1800s and was completed in 1894. Our guide also talked about prison labor in the region’s railroad history. Incarcerated workers did help build portions of the Western North Carolina Railroad, although I haven’t been able to confirm that they worked on this particular tunnel. It made the stop all the more thought-provoking.

An Easier Ride Back

The ride back was easier because we were traveling down the grade we’d pedaled up earlier. We got to enjoy those beautiful mountain views all over again, this time with a little less effort.

It was one of those experiences that was worth waiting for. Sunshine, mountain air, a little history, and a completely different way to see North Carolina—I’m so glad we finally made the time to do it.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Plan ahead: Book your rail-bike tour in advance and check the operator’s current schedule and arrival instructions.
• Expect some pedaling: The trip toward the tunnel has a slight uphill grade, but the rail bikes have pedal assist. The return felt easier to us.
• Dress for the outdoors: Comfortable clothes, secure shoes, and layers suited to the forecast are sensible choices.
• Leave room for lunch: We ate at Morning Fog Café & Bistro before our afternoon tour.
• Enjoy the tunnel stop: On our trip, we had time to explore while the guides turned the carts around. Tour details may vary.

For current tour details, visit Andrews Valley Rail Tours.

Photos and memories from our North Carolina adventure · The Blonde Honeybee

Happy Honeybee Trails! 💛🐝