Cascading water in the forest sure is something to fall for, huh y’all?
Recently, I’ve been on a lot more waterfall hikes than normal. I realized last winter that waterfall hikes are my preferred cold-weather sort of adventure — mostly because I’m a sucker for greenery. Even in the thick of winter, waterfalls in Southern Appalachia are typically adorned with beautiful forest evergreens like rhododendron and mountain laurels. Although I swoon over a lofty mountain vista, I must admit, I always miss the greenery in the colder months. So, waterfalls have become my go-to for that time of year, and I must say, I’m so glad that I started exploring more of them!
Well, that was a lot of backstory that nobody asked for. Y’all just want the waterfall list, so let’s get to it. The following are a few of my favorite waterfalls that I’ve visited lately, all of which happen to also be in the North Carolina Mountains of Appalachia!
Little Bradley Falls
Length: 1.9 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Why it's cool: Tall, multi-teared waterfall
Y’all, ain’t nothing little about Bradley over here. This waterfall is just gorgeous, and it may just be my favorite on this list. Located near Saluda, NC, this multi-teared falls stands tall at a whopping 50 ft. It has such a cool, lovely shape, and I seriously could have sat at this waterfall and photographed it for hours. The trail is fairly easy for seasoned hikers. Be warned — there are a couple of tricky river crossings that require some sure footing. I’ll definitely return in the future to visit this one again!
Courthouse Falls
Length: 1.9 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Why it's cool: Cathedral-looking rocks and a fun swimming pool
There’s something awe-inspiring and regal about the way Courthouse Falls cascades against a cathedral-like rock wall and crashes into its chilly, sparkling plunge-pool below. Although I did not partake in the swimming hole at the base of the falls (it was VERY cold and that’s not a life I want to live), it was incredibly scenic and it looked rather enticing, even to someone like me who doesn’t really consider herself a “water person”. I’d love to see this one again in another season!
Log Hollow Falls
Length: approx 2.6 miles round-trip (depending on if you visit the other waterfalls on this trail)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Why it's cool: 3 waterfalls in one hike!
Log Hollow Falls sits right beside a forest service road in Pisgah National Forest, and it’s frequently combines with two other nearby waterfalls (Discovery Falls and Logging Road Falls) to make a fun three-fer hike. Of the three, Log Hollow is my favorite. Although it’s not a super tall waterfall standing at 25 ft., it’s incredibly scenic the way it’s tucked back into the mountain, surrounded by laurels and rhododendron.
AllTrails map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/north-carolina/log-hollow-waterfalls?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map
Cove Creek Falls
Length: approx 2.6 miles round-trip (if you start at the forest service road)
Difficulty: Moderate
Why it's cool: You hike down to the base of the waterfall from the top!
Located near the Cove Creek Campground, Cove Creek Falls is a pretty waterfall that stands at 50 ft tall. Though much of the hike is on a forest service road if you aren’t staying in the campground, it’s still a nice walk through the forest to a fairly impressive cascade. And, the trail takes hikers from the top of the waterfall to the base, so you get a cool view from the top to truly get an idea of the stature of Cove Creek Falls. Be sure to watch your footing though, you don’t want to end up as a waterfall safety statistic!
High Falls
Length: approx 2.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Why it's cool: Not as crowded as other waterfalls in the area
Located just off Highway 281, High Falls (in Nantahala National Forest, not DuPont State Forest) is a large, impressive waterfall on the Thompson River. Though many folks end up on this road to get a glimpse of Upper Whitewater Falls, High Falls is well worth the trek to add another cascade to your adventure. It’s typically less crowded than other waterfalls hikes in the area,
AllTrails map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/high-falls
For more photos and explorations, be sure to follow The Wandering Appalachian on Instagram and Pinterest! Be sure when you're discovering new places to practice Leave No Trace principles. Take only pictures, and leave only footprints. Happy wandering, y'all!
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