Dry Falls is a popular waterfall located in western North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest. The Dry Falls Parking area was redone fairly recently. You can hike the singletrack trails in Elkin Municipal Park, plan a multi-day trek on the Mountains to Sea Trail, or visit Elkin during NC Trail Days, a three-day festival in late May. No Hiking Required North Carolina truly has the best waterfalls in the nation. If you haven't already, it's time you added North Carolina to your adventure bucket list. The hike departs from the Looking Glass Rock overlook. Less than a half mile hike on the Lower Cascades Trail takes you to the stunning Lower Cascades Fall at Hanging Rock State Park. There is a viewing platform at the trailhead, that is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, offering great view of the falls. There is a observation area above the falls, and you can continue on the trail to reach the base of the falls. Here is an interactive map of all the falls we know about. This is section is only recommended for expert climbers skilled at climbing rocks and steep mountainsides. Skinny Dip Falls, a series of beautiful cascading waterfalls on a crystal-clear river, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville. Hickory Nut Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. … Wintergreen Falls has a few flat rocks to sit on for a lunch or a nap. It gives you the rare treat of walking safely behind a waterfall. The steps down to the falls are at the west end of the parking area at the entrance to the wheelchair-accessible area. At the Grassy Creek Trail, go left until it intersects with the Wintergreen Falls Trail. Just east of Asheville, the river tumbles through a rolling forest, cascading in a series of waterfalls and flowing over a mossy riverbed set in a shady, scenic stretch of the Pisgah National Forest. The trail is located just off US 276 between Brevard and the Blue Ridge Parkway. To view or … I’m pretty passionate about hiking to waterfalls. It is among the few waterfalls you can walk behind. It’s a delightful, beautiful walk through fern-filled woods. I’ve spent the last few years hiking trails to waterfalls along the Appalachian Mountains (mostly in North Carolina) to bring you the ultimate beginner’s guide for hikes … This trail will take you by three waterfalls (Tom Branch Falls, … Hiking trails take you to the top & bottom of this fall, but hiking is not necessary to view this waterfall. It is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina at a height of 150-feet. This waterfall is highly recommended and it can also be combined with another nearby hike should you want to add some more miles to your day. It is the Parkway’s smallest and most popular campground. It a cool, refreshing stop, and a must-see if you happen to visit Chimney Rock. Get more stories delivered right to your email. "It was definitely busy on a Saturday, with tons of families, but the paths were nice and well marked, and some parts of the trail were very easy, while the trail down to Hooker falls was more challenging." From here it is a short 1/4 mile hike to the base of the 25 foot waterfall. The campground has sites for up to 50 tents and 20 RVs along the banks of the Linville River. The Forest Service plans to add a safer trail in the near future. Linville Falls drops 90-feet into the 12-mile long Linville Gorge with tall cliffs above the river. 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Backtrack out the way you came in for a total hike of about 3 miles. The valley in the village of Chimney Rock also gives you a view of the Hickory Nut Falls on the cliff of the rock. While those old song lyrics say, ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls,’ in North Carolina, it’s best to ignore this bit of advice and DO go chasing waterfalls. You will, however, follow along the side of the river most of the way to the falls. The only strenuous sections are either side of the falls where the trail climbs steeply up and down the ridge. The trail ends at a bench and staircase that takes you down to the waterfall and swimming hole. The North Carolina mountains are home to hundreds of waterfalls, including more than 250 in the Brevard area alone. Linville Falls is the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains because of its accessibility to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail departs from the gravel parking lot noted in the Trailhead description and is clearly marked. The trail to the falls is a popular short loop that descends on a moderate path to this majestic 70-foot waterfall. Hiking Trails & Tips for Beginner & Expert Hikers. With over 400 to choose from, it can seem daunting to decide which ones to see. Western North Carolina is full of waterfalls. The 1.5-mile hike is a steady, slightly uphill walk but not difficult. The Gorge Trail is a 1.4-mile round trip and is strenuous. The most popular trail option leads you to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Reviews on Hiking Trails With Waterfalls in Sylva, NC 28779 - Soco Falls, Mingo Falls, Glen Falls Trail, Dry Falls, Skinny Dip Falls, Grotto Falls, Graveyard Fields, Julie Falls, Gorges State Park, Tom Branch Falls The Plunge Basin Trail is a 1-mile round trip and moderate. The walkaway needs some repairs so you need to be careful with your steps. The stunning Hickory Nut Falls is easily accessed by a 1.5-mile hike that's safe and accessible for the whole family. It has been extended and brought on the same level as Highway 64. The trail is not challenging at all, although it has a few climbs and rocks. There are 5 trails that lead to the Linville Falls offering a range from easy, moderate, and difficult. Literally 100s of them are scattered around the mountains of western NC. Hooker Falls From the Hooker Falls parking area (adjacent to the river), take a short walk to the right to Hooker Falls. What makes these forests even more special is that they have several waterfalls that make it an even rewarding place to hike. The water flow varies depending on rainfall. There is a heavy fence along the trail. This waterfall located in the Chimney Rock State Park has an impressive height of 404-feet. Crabtree Falls is one of the most photogenic falls in the area. You can hike all five viewpoints with a four-mile hike. It will be hard to believe you're actually not in the mountains for this one. Which ones will you try first? Thank you! Fayetteville is most notably home to Fort Bragg, but it’s also the only real place east of Interstate 77 in North Carolina where you could realistically make a day of waterfall hikes. Western North Carolina is blessed with over a million-acre of national forest, national parks, state parks, and other public lands. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! The parking area is often overflowing on hot summer days, but there is usually plenty of room at the waterfall. The trail to the Moore Cove Falls is a 1.2-miles roundtrip which makes it a good family-friendly waterfall hike. You can find a campground along the Parkway access road in addition to hiking. You'll find Skinny Dip Falls off the Blue Ridge Parkway. And while some require a challenging trek through a remote … You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com. We use cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience. 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