Transylvania County is colloquially known as the “Land of Waterfalls.” There are over 250 waterfalls inside 20 miles of Brevard, the county seat, making it the proper place to remain whereas chasing waterfalls. However earlier than you propose the weekend getaway, it’s worthwhile to know just a few issues in regards to the waterfalls.
Brevard is a hub for out of doors recreation in western North Carolina. It’s between Pisgah Nationwide Forest and Nantahala Nationwide Forest, about half an hour from the Blue Ridge Parkway, surrounded by state parks and recreation areas.
It’s additionally a foodie city. Greater than a dozen nice native eating places, espresso retailers, and dessert retailers fill you up after mountaineering within the mountains.
Though Brevard is surrounded by waterfalls, not all are price visiting. These are one of the best waterfalls in Brevard to go to. And I’ve bought all the main points about the place to park, mountaineering path distances, and problem scores.
Map of Finest Waterfalls in Brevard
Tips on how to use this map | Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend objects to show extra data. In case you have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title to avoid wasting this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Attending to Brevard, NC
Brevard is a small city in western North Carolina. Fewer than 10,000 individuals name the city house, however the inhabitants swells with guests throughout the summer season. Brevard is among the greatest hub cities for out of doors recreation in Pisgah Nationwide Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Curiously, attending to Brevard shouldn’t be easy. Regardless of its reputation as a vacationer vacation spot, guests should select between a two-lane freeway by a number of small cities or an oblique four-lane freeway.
Listed below are your choices for attending to Brevard and my really helpful route.
Hendersonville. Essentially the most direct path to Brevard begins at Exit 49 on Interstate 26 in Hendersonville. U.S. Freeway 64 passes alongside the sting of downtown. After leaving Hendersonville, the street passes by just a few small cities with site visitors lights and light-weight congestion. The 22-mile route takes about 40-60 minutes however can take way more in the summertime.
Upward Highway. If touring northbound on Interstate 26, take Exit 53 onto Upward Highway. The route passes alongside the sting of downtown Hendersonville and connects with U.S. Freeway 64. The 23-mile route takes about 40-60 minutes.
Airport Highway. The quirky factor about attending to Brevard is that the longest route is normally the quickest. Exit 40 on Interstate 26 passes Asheville Regional Airport. It’s a four-lane freeway by Mills River to Brevard that limits congestion.
When you’re touring southbound on I-26, it’s a 19-mile route that takes about half-hour. When you’re touring northbound, it’s a 29-mile route that takes about 35 minutes. That is nonetheless the quickest route, even after passing Hendersonville and driving an extra 9 miles on the interstate.
And it’s my most popular route.
Waynesville. When you’re prepared for an adventurous drive, take U.S. Freeway 276 from Waynesville. The street features a collection of twists and turns because it ascends the Blue Ridge Mountains. It crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway and descends by some of the beautiful routes in North Carolina. This 53-mile route takes about 60-90 minutes to journey.
Blue Ridge Parkway. At about midway between Asheville and Cherokee, the Blue Ridge Parkway crosses over U.S. Freeway 276. It’s a possibility to go away the parkway and spend the night time in Brevard. The 19-mile drive takes about 30-45 minutes, and it’s some of the stunning drives in North Carolina.
Greenville, South Carolina. Some of the scenic routes into Brevard is the longest, nevertheless it’s definitely worth the drive in case you’re beginning in South Carolina. From Greenville, U.S. Freeway 276 passes by Traveler’s Relaxation – a hidden foodie city within the state’s Upcountry – earlier than reaching the foothills of the mountains. The drive throughout Cedar Mountain provides a number of spectacular scenic overlooks for a fast cease. The 47-mile route on the two-lane street takes about 1.5 hours, although it may possibly take longer throughout summer season and autumn days.
Locations to See Waterfalls
Transylvania County is colloquially referred to as the “Land of Waterfalls.” There are over 250 waterfalls inside about 20 miles of Brevard, the county seat. Most waterfalls are on personal property or merely trickles a lot of the 12 months.
However almost 50 waterfalls are accessible to public mountaineering trails.
There aren’t any waterfalls within the city of Brevard. As a substitute, the waterfalls are unfold across the city in Pisgah Nationwide Forest, DuPont State Leisure Forest, and Gorges State Park. Right here’s a abstract of the locations to see waterfalls in Brevard.
Pisgah Nationwide Forest
The five hundred,000-acre Pisgah Nationwide Forest boasts a number of the greatest out of doors recreation and scenic drives in North Carolina. Northwest of Asheville, the nationwide forest consists of iconic locations like Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell, the very best level east of the Mississippi.
Close to Brevard, Pisgah Nationwide Forest consists of the scenic route alongside U.S. Freeway 276 to the Blue Ridge Parkway – the Forest Heritage Nationwide Scenic Byway. All of the waterfalls in Pisgah Nationwide Forest are related by this route.
DuPont State Leisure Forest
Because the first mountaineering path opened in 2000, DuPont State Leisure Forest has change into some of the visited locations in western North Carolina. 5 of essentially the most spectacular waterfalls are scattered all through the ten,000-acre leisure space. Most trails are reasonably simple, and restrooms can be found at most trailheads.
Gorges State Park
The 7,500-acre Gorge State Park is the westernmost state park in North Carolina. Domestically, it’s referred to as “Beautiful State Park” due to the gorgeous surroundings and mountaineering trails. Three waterfalls are within the state park. It’s a few 30-minute drive from Brevard alongside U.S. Freeway 64.
North Carolina Waterfall Byway
The 98-mile North Carolina Waterfall Byway is a scenic route alongside U.S. Freeway 64 between Murphy and Rosman. Dozens of waterfalls populate the two-lane freeway, many inside a ten-minute stroll from the car parking zone.
Once I wrote a street journey itinerary, I prolonged the route into Brevard to incorporate DuPont State Leisure Forest and Pisgah Nationwide Forest. The 140-mile street journey on the scenic North Carolina Waterfall Byway options 25 waterfalls and 5 locations the place you’ll be able to spend the night time.
Finest Time to Go to Waterfalls
It’s irritating, however summer season shouldn’t be one of the best time to go to waterfalls. And autumn is the worst time.
The perfect time to go to waterfalls is late spring. After the snow melts and April showers have soaked the bottom, waterfalls are at their greatest all through Might. What’s irritating about this pure schedule is that spring within the western North Carolina mountains can nonetheless be chilly.
Another greatest time is a day or two after a heavy rain in the summertime. As soon as the bottom has dried, the waterfalls are likely to churn for just a few extra days because the rainwater passes by the system.
Discovery Falls
Discovery Falls is a small cascading waterfall. The three.8-mile roundtrip takes about 2 hours to finish. It’s a reasonably simple hike with a delicate ascent coming back from the waterfall.
It’s a distant waterfall and solely accessible alongside a forest service street in Pisgah Nationwide Forest. The shortest route is to take FS 475B, additionally known as Headwater Highway, from U.S. Freeway 276 close to the Cradle of Forestry in America. You may park about half a mile from the waterfall if the gate is open.
Nevertheless, the commonest route is to park close to U.S. Freeway 276 and hike alongside the street.
No. 2
Sliding Rock
Sliding Rock shouldn’t be precisely a waterfall. However it’s a cool place to go to whereas exploring waterfalls round Brevard.
The small mountain creek flows throughout a large, uncovered granite slab sloped simply sufficient to ship the water tumbling downhill. After 1000’s of years, the granite is easy and makes an ideal pure slide.
The Sliding Rock Recreation Space was developed in Pisgah Nationwide Forest to benefit from the pure slide. After paying a small admission charge, you’ll be able to park within the giant, paved car parking zone with sufficient room for private vehicles and RVs. It’s a brief stroll alongside a picket boardwalk to the waterfall.
There are a few locations to admire the waterfall – one above and one under. However if you wish to make the leap, it’s essential to get in line on the backside. An iron handrail drilled into the granite supplies a approach to climb to the highest. It will possibly take nearly twenty minutes to work by the road throughout the summer season!
The slide all the way down to the underside, the place sliders splash right into a deep pure pool, takes lower than a minute.
Moore Cove Falls
Moore Cove Falls is among the most unexpectedly stunning waterfalls in Pisgah Nationwide Forest. The free-falling waterfall is small, nevertheless it’s a spectacular sight with a very good water movement.
The 1.2-mile roundtrip on the Moore Cove Falls Path is straightforward. There’s a light 150-foot ascent to a picket scenic overlook on the waterfall’s base. And – it’s attainable to face behind the waterfall’s curtain!
Parking is proscribed alongside U.S. Freeway 276 close to Wanting Glass Falls. The path begins throughout a footbridge crossing Wanting Glass Creek. It takes about an hour to finish the hike.
Wanting Glass Falls
Wanting Glass Falls is essentially the most iconic waterfall in North Carolina. You’ve seemingly already seen pictures of the 60-foot free-falling waterfall.
Parallel parking alongside one facet of U.S. Freeway 276 has sufficient room for a few dozen autos. A sidewalk permits viewers to soundly stroll to the waterfall away from the street.
Learn Extra | Simply View Wanting Glass Falls in Brevard, North Carolina
A handicap-accessible overlook above the waterfall provides a uncommon probability for disabled guests to see a waterfall. From there, a concrete staircase descends to the underside of the waterfall. The shallow creek is straightforward to cross, and rounded boulders are good locations to perch.
Wanting Glass Falls is among the exceptions to visiting waterfalls within the spring. This waterfall sometimes flows all 12 months – and generally will freeze within the winter.
Slick Rock Falls
The cascading Slick Rock Falls is among the best waterfalls to succeed in however some of the troublesome to view. The waterfall is about 2.6 miles from U.S. Freeway 276 and 1.2 miles from the Pisgah Heart for Wildlife Schooling. Park anyplace alongside the sting of the unmarked dust street.
You may hear the waterfall the second you step out of your automobile. A brief, steep path results in a number of locations to see the waterfall. However there isn’t a official picket overlook or outlined space. It’s a pure space surrounded by rhododendron bushes and rounded boulders. So, select your individual viewing location.
Cedar Rock Creek Falls
Cedar Rock Creek Falls is a 20-foot waterfall fed by a small stream originating on close by Cedar Rock Mountain. Though it’s not a spectacular waterfall, it’s some of the peaceable trails to hike in Pisgah Nationwide Forest.
The shortest approach to the waterfall is a 2-mile out-and-back hike on the Cat Hole Loop Path. This path has little elevation change, making it a simple hike accomplished in about an hour.
All the 4.6-mile Cat Hole Loop Path loops round John Rock. It’s a scenic hike that will get progressively harder close to the midpoint because it ascends nearly 1,000 ft. It takes about 3 hours to finish your complete path.
Hooker Falls
Hooker Falls is a spectacular waterfall in DuPont State Leisure Forest. The Little River spills over a 12-foot excessive ledge nearly 100 ft large. The river on the backside of the waterfall is deep sufficient to wade, making it a well-liked summer season spot.
The 0.8-mile roundtrip hike is among the best hikes to a waterfall in Brevard. No elevation change exists from the big gravel car parking zone on Staton Highway. The path follows the route of an outdated service street, so it’s large and simple to stroll.
Carry a chair or blanket for this hike. A big seashore space on the river’s edge is the proper place to spend time in nature and revel in each minute of the peaceable place.
Triple Falls
Triple Falls is a collection of three cascading waterfalls on the Little River with a 120-foot complete drop. It’s some of the in style waterfalls in DuPont State Leisure Forest, so the path is continuously cluttered with roundtrip hikers.
The 0.8-mile roundtrip hike is reasonably strenuous. The path begins with little elevation change as you cross a footbridge over the Little River and hike alongside the riverbank. However then, the path begins a steep 200-foot ascent to a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of the cascading waterfall.
A spur path simply previous the scenic overlook results in the center waterfall’s base.
This path begins in the identical car parking zone the place the Hooker Falls Path begins. The car parking zone is giant sufficient for dozens of autos.
Excessive Falls
Excessive Falls is essentially the most iconic waterfall in DuPont State Leisure Forest. The 120-foot cascading waterfall is a thunderous expertise within the peaceable woods.
The two.5-mile Excessive Falls Path begins on the customer heart. The path follows a gravel street to a spectacular coated bridge. Two lanes large with a pedestrian path on the facet, the bridge was constructed within the Nineteen Nineties as a part of a defunct gated group. The bridge crosses the Little River simply above Excessive Falls – you’ll be able to see the place the water tumbles from the bridge.
The path to the waterfall veers off the street simply earlier than the coated bridge. There’s a transient ascent earlier than the path begins a protracted descent to the waterfall’s base. A scenic overlook supplies an ideal view from the other cliff.
A spur path ends on the waterfall’s base. The water is about knee deep, so sufficient to splash round however to not wade.
Wintergreen Falls
Wintergreen Falls is a small, 15-foot cascading waterfall in DuPont State Leisure Forest. It’s one of many lesser-known waterfalls within the forest and is normally a peaceable hike on a simple path.
Essentially the most difficult half is attending to the parking on the trailhead. From Staton Highway, flip onto Sky Valley Highway and proceed to the Guidon Farm Parking Space. The gravel car parking zone is giant sufficient for about two dozen vehicles. It takes about 10-Quarter-hour after turning off Staton Highway.
The three.1-mile roundtrip is reasonably simple, with just a few steep sections descending to the waterfall. It takes about 2 hours to finish the path.
Bridal Veil Falls
When you watched the 1992 movie Final of the Mohicans, you’ve already seen Bridal Veil Falls. The 120-foot cascading waterfall is among the greatest and most stunning in DuPont State Leisure Forest.
The waterfall and trailhead are in a distant part of DuPont State Leisure Forest. The quickest approach to get there may be from U.S. Freeway 276 on the Cedar Mountain facet of the recreation space. It’s a 3-mile drive to the Fawn Lake Parking Space on Reasonover Highway.
The 4.4-mile roundtrip hike is fascinating, to say the least. Many of the path follows gravel roads constructed throughout the early building of a deliberate gated group. The path passes the small Fawn Lake, crosses an unused airstrip, and passes a barn.
The path ends on the waterfall’s base. With a 400-foot elevation change, it takes about 2.5 hours to finish the path.
The 4.6-mile roundtrip hike from the customer heart is an alternate hike to succeed in the waterfall. Though barely longer, the hike is similar problem because it additionally travels alongside gravel roads.
Connestee Falls
Connestee Falls is a gated group about Quarter-hour from Brevard, named after a close-by waterfall. It’s one of many best waterfalls to view and one of many few that’s handicap accessible.
From the small car parking zone, it’s a simple one-minute stroll on a picket boardwalk to a scenic overlook going through the waterfall. Connestee Falls is greatest seen within the spring or after heavy rainfalls.
Bearwallow Falls
Bearwallow Falls is one in all 26 waterfalls in Gorge State Park. The 0.5-mile roundtrip hike is a strenuous journey with a steep descent from the car parking zone. Though it’s solely a 200-foot descent, it’s a 15% grade. Simply bear in mind the outdated saying about mountaineering – what goes down should return up once more.
A paved car parking zone has a few dozen parking areas. There’s a marked crosswalk over the park’s street to the path.
Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls
The three.9-mile roundtrip hike on the Rainbow Falls Path consists of three spectacular waterfalls. Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls, and Drift Falls are cascading waterfalls alongside the Horsepasture River in Gorges State Park.
The strenuous path descends over 400 ft from the parking space, climbs over a 300-foot hill, and descends once more to the waterfalls. It takes about 3-4 hours to finish the path.
Higher Whitewater Falls
Whitewater Falls is among the most spectacular waterfalls within the southeastern United States. The 800-foot cascading waterfall is split into two sections. Higher Whitewater Falls plunges 411 ft into the Jocassee Gorge close to NC Freeway 281. Decrease Whitewater Falls drops one other 400 ft into Lake Jocassee in South Carolina.
The U.S. Forest Service maintains a wonderful car parking zone and scenic overlook at Higher Whitewater Falls. Parking is $3, a charge that’s effectively price contemplating the overlook’s high quality.
Learn Extra | Tips on how to See Whitewater Falls in North Carolina and South Carolina
A 0.25-mile paved path supplies an accessible path to the higher scenic overlook. From right here, it’s simple to see – and listen to – the waterfall within the distance. Descend 154 steps to a decrease overlook on a picket commentary deck for a greater view.
- Path Size | 0.25 mile
- Problem | Simple (Reasonably Simple in case you take the steps to the Decrease Overlook)
- Facilities | Privy restrooms
- Location | NC Freeway 281, Cashiers, NC 28717
