Overview: You’ve heard of walking behind a waterfall, right? Well, how would you like to drive behind one? At Bridal Veil Falls, you can do just that. The road that goes behind the falls—the original route of US 64—was engineered to take advantage of the…
Hike Description: Hike to Greenland Creek Falls and look for the path climbing the bank beside the falls on river right. Make sure you have both hands free, and take a deep breath before you start the ridiculously steep climb. You’ll come to a boulder on the right where a…
Hike Description: Begin on Bradley Fork Trail at the gate. The trail is an old park auto road that follows the lazy Bradley Fork, so it’s wide and has easy grades. At 1.18 miles, you’ll come to a fork. Turn right on Chasteen Creek Trail. You’ll soon pass a…
Hike Description: The trail begins across the road and follows an old logging railroad grade down the river-right side of the creek. After about 0.3 mile, it starts to swing right and passes an obvious side path on the left. The side path leads to the base of the falls. Overview…
Overview: The Cullasaja River takes a final plunge over Cullasaja Falls before leaving the gorge and leveling out. What a final statement it makes! If the river’s up, this is about as good as it gets. On the other hand, I’ve seen it when little water was going over…
Hike Description: Follow the obvious paved path from the lower end of the parking area down to the falls. A new handicapped-accessible boardwalk also leads from the parking area to a viewpoint for the falls. Overview: The idea is to walk behind the falls without getting…
Hike Description: You’ll descend on Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) from the gate for 0.3 mile to Salt Rock, which offers a wide-open view of the valley. Continue descending on the road. At 0.59 mile, you’ll reach a fork. The road to the left provides the easiest…
Hike Description: You’ll descend on Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) from the gate for 0.3 mile to Salt Rock, which offers a wide-open view of the valley. Continue descending on the road. At 0.59 mile, you’ll reach a fork. The right fork leads to Frolictown Falls and…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. This hike starts on Macs Gap Trail (#482), which begins to the left immediately after the turn off Cold Mountain Road. Parking is limited, so you…
Hike Descriptions: From the upper trailhead, the hike begins at the gate on High Falls Trail. You’ll descend on the gravel road for just under 0.2 mile, then turn right on the obvious trail. The trail descends a little over 0.6 mile to the falls. It is well graded and easy…
Directions to Trailhead: Same as for Tom Branch Falls. Hike Description: Hike to Tom Branch Falls and continue on Deep Creek Trail to the junction with Indian Creek Trail on the right at 0.73 mile. Hike Indian Creek Trail for 100 yards to the side path on the left that leads down…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. Hike Description: Hike as you would to Wardens Falls, but continue to the right on Devils Elbow Trail when you get to the small clearing beyond…
Directions to Trailhead: Same as for Tom Branch Falls. Hike Description: The trail starts from the upper end of the parking area. A sign here calls it Juney Whank Loop Trail. You’ll climb steeply to the junction with Deep Creek Horse Trail at 400 feet. Turn right and…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. Hike Description: Hike to Red Butt Falls, get in the river, and follow it downstream to Lichen Falls. Simple, eh? Well, yes and no. As river walks…
Directions: From the junction of US 64, US 276, and NC 280 in Brevard, drive north on US 276 for 5.65 miles to the long, narrow parking area on the right. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is 9.35 miles to the falls. You can view the waterfall from an overlook on the upper end of…
Directions to Trailhead: From the junction of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Newfound Gap Road (US 441) in the Smokies, drive south (toward Cherokee) on Newfound Gap Road for 0.5 mile and turn left on Saunooke Bridge Road. Go 0.2 mile to where the road ends at Big Cove Road and turn…
Directions to Trailhead: From the junction of US 64, US 276, and NC 280 in Brevard, drive north on US 276 for 5.7 miles to the small parking area on the right just before the bridge over Looking Glass Creek. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is 8.3 miles to the trailhead. Hike…
A 150-foot waterfall in Gorges State Park, often featuring vibrant rainbows on sunny days. Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County. Leave…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. Hike Description: Hike as you would to Jawbone Falls. When you reach the fork with Riding Ford Trail, take the right fork and continue following…
Hike Description: Begin the hike on the far western end of the parking area between the information kiosk and the paved trail leading to the Clingmans Dome tower. You’ll descend on Forney Ridge Trail for 275 yards to a junction with Clingmans Dome Bypass Trail. Turn left…
Hike Description: Walk 0.2 mile along the gravel drive to Caney Fork. This section of the hike is through private property, so behave yourself. Before Hurricanes Frances and Ivan swept through in September 2004, there was a bridge over Caney Fork. Now, you’ll have to wade…
Hike Description: The trail leading from the parking area is easily followed. You’ll climb via switchbacks and follow a small drainage for a short distance before crossing the branch and swinging around to cross Left Prong at 0.4 mile. After crossing, you’ll climb…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. Hike Description: Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk and follow it 0.15 mile to an old dirt road. Turn left on the road…
Hike Description: An obvious path starts beside the American holly tree at the lower end of the pullout. The path goes about 500 feet to a footbridge over the Whitewater River. From there, it’s a short distance to the base of the falls. Overview: Everyone loves Silver Run…
A rare double waterfall with a 120-foot cascade, located near Cherokee. Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County. Leave No Trace…
Directions to Trailhead: From the main entrance to Western Carolina University, drive 3.8 miles south on NC 107 and turn left on Caney Fork Road (SR 1737). Follow it for 8.7 miles and turn right on Sugar Creek Road (SR 1746). At 0.6 mile, the pavement ends. Just beyond, a road…
Hike Description: The trail, a continuation of the paved road, turns to gravel beyond the turnaround. If you’re hiking in summer, pay close attention because you’ll walk right by the waterfall if the sign is missing. Look for a little clearing at a large oak tree…
Directions to Trailhead: Same as for Sugar Creek Falls. Hike Description: Hike to Sugar Creek Falls. Climb up the bank on river right and head upstream. You can follow remnants of logging roads part of the way. When you see the falls, drop back down to the creek and work your way…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side. Hike Description: Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk and follow it 0.15 mile to the old dirt road. Turn left on the road…
Hike Description: From the turnaround at the lower end of the parking area, a paved path leads to an upper overlook of the falls. Ignore the inaccurate sign that says it’s 0.5 mile to the falls. It’s actually less than 0.25 mile to the overlook. The path…
Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Salt Rock Gap trailhead, on the west side. Hike Description: You’ll descend on Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) from the gate for 0.25 mile, then turn right on Wilderness Falls Trail…
Enjoy short, family-friendly walks or more strenuous treks along the Appalachian Trail. With wildlife, waterfalls, and…
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, experience Appalachian arts and culture, or simply relax in a secluded cabin, Jackson County has it all.
