Town of Montreat, North Carolina

Montreat, North Carolina is a special mountain cove nestled at the foot of Graybeard Mountain near the Tennessee Valley Divide. Located at the eastern end of Buncombe County and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montreat is filled with flowing and gurgling streams, abundant native flora and fauna, and gorgeous mountain vistas. Life here is peaceful and serene, blessed with incredible natural beauty and lived at a different pace than anywhere else. There is no commercial development in Montreat, no traffic lights, none of the hustle and bustle found elsewhere. Most of the streets are narrow and winding, causing traffic to move at a slower pace. This is an advantage to those using Montreat’s preferred method of travel – walking. There are paths winding all around the cove, along the creeks, across rustic wooden bridges and through the woods. There are trails throughout thousands of acres of woodlands and wilderness areas.

Montreat was originally founded as a spiritual retreat, and spiritual restoration is Montreat’s most important commodity. The Montreat Conference Center hosts year-round conferences for all ages based on spiritual renewal. The Conference Center’s facilities include hotels, guest lodges, a beautiful huge stone auditorium which seats 2,000, a craft center, child care center, and abundant wilderness areas with teaching facilities.

Montreat College is a four-year co-ed Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The integration of faith and learning and the emphasis on servant leadership are key elements in the educational process. The College brings many special events to Montreat, including symphonies, orchestras, community arts festivals, adult learning programs, community trips abroad, and sports programs. The College facilities are mostly housed in historic old stone buildings constructed in the early 1900’s. The Chapel of the Prodigal features internationally renowned fresco artist Ben Long’s rendition of “The Return of the Prodigal” and is open to the public.

Life here is lived at a slower, more peaceful pace, with ample opportunity to enjoy the incredible beauty of this unique mountain cove – come to Montreat, slow down and replenish yourself with the beauty and serenity of the mountains.