Trails and Waterfalls
Hit the trails and discover the natural beauty surrounding you. Whether you're looking for an easy walk or a challenging hike, our recommended trails offer stunning views and unforgettable experiences. Lace up your boots and start your adventure today!
Check out this 13.2-km out-and-back trail near Canton, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 40 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.
Shining Rock via Old Butt Knob Trail
This route to the summit of Mt. Cammerer starts from the Low Gap Trailhead located in the Cosby Campground. It is the most frequently hiked route to the top, perhaps because it is the shortest in length.
Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower Trail
This trail starts at the parking lot off Heintooga Ridge Road and leads into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The path winds through shaded forests and open meadows and crosses several peaks with beautiful views. Be prepared for a challenging hike with steep ascents and descents with switchbacks along the way, and don’t forget to bring bug spray to protect against mosquitoes.
Hemphill Bald Trail
Get to know this 4.0-km out-and-back trail near Canton, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 19 min to complete. This is a very popular area for camping, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Sam Knob Trail
Explore this 2.3-km out-and-back trail near Balsam Grove, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 46 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Black Balsam Knob Trail
Try this 1.6-km out-and-back trail near Waynesville, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 44 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Waterrock Knob Trail
The northernmost of Cataloochee’s three valleys is Little Cataloochee, which is situated along a stream of the same name between Sterling Ridge and Noland Mountain. This hike features cabins, cemeteries, wildflowers, big boulders in Palmer Creek and Little Cataloochee Church chapel. If you’re looking for a good day hike that only takes around 5 hours this is the spot for you. Better yet, the trail head begins in Big Cataloochee Valley where you have a very good chance of seeing elk in the forest and the fields.
Little Cataloochee Trail
Explore this 7.9-km loop trail near Bryson City, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 20 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail.
Deep Creek Loop Trail
This low-key loop in the shadow of Mount Ellinor makes for a great respite on a hot summer day or a low-country winter ramble when it's rainy. The shade of the deciduous trees makes it cool in the summer and provides a nice umbrella in the rain. Burbling creeks of varying sizes keep you constant company on this loop, and places to sit and rest are dotted all along the way.
Big Creek Trail
This trail is described in Allan DeHarts North Carolina Hiking Trails. The trail is very easy, and the old Woody House is a must-see. Take time to visit the old School House, and Palmer Chapel while you're in the valley. Wildlife in the valley consist of Bear, Deer, Elk, and Wild Boar. In early spring close deer sightings are common.
Rough Fork Trail
This trail makes an excellent day hike into a deep, wild North Cascades valley for anyone camping in the upper Stehekin Valley. The trail affords excellent views of the sharp peaks towering above the Flat Creek valley, old growth forests, and the opportunity to see a forest recovering from a 2001 forest fire. The trail leaves the National Park after the first 2 miles and enters the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Flat Creek Trail
Gorges State Park is the access point to hike to one of our favorite waterfalls, Rainbow Falls, and nearby Turtleback Falls. It's home to rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in the eastern United States. An elevation that rises 2,000 ft. in only four miles combined with rainfall in excess of 90
Gorges State Park
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Get to know this 16.9-mile loop trail near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 9 h 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Mount Sterling Overnight Loop
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Enjoy this 7.3-mile loop trail near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 16 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and trail running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Boogerman Trail
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Discover this 3.9-mile loop trail near Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 58 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Hemp Hill Road Trail. Moderate
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Trails continue to be the most asked-for feature of Maggie Valley.
While you won’t find many directly on the Valley floor, you won’t have to go far. Here are some of our favorites:
Majestic Trails
High Falls is the largest waterfall along the West Fork Tuckasegee River, and one of the more impressive waterfalls in the region. Lidar data shows a drop of approximately 145 feet.
High Falls (on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River)
Try this 1.4-km out-and-back trail near Balsam Grove, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 27 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Skinny Dip Falls
An easy 1.6 mile roundtrip hike will allow you to enjoy two beautiful waterfalls in the Deep Creek area. Walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 mile to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. Turn right at the junction with Indian Creek Trail and proceed approximately 200' to Indian Creek Falls. The falls are 25 feet in height.
Indian Creek Falls
An easy 1.6 mile roundtrip hike will allow you to enjoy two beautiful waterfalls in the Deep Creek area. Walk Deep Creek Trail 0.7 mile to the junction with Indian Creek Trail. On your way you can view the elegant, 60' high Tom Branch Falls located on the far side of Deep Creek.
Toms Branch Falls
Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade used to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom at the start of the 20th century. At 2.1 miles a short side trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and view Mouse Creek Falls which is on the far side of Big Creek. The falls are 45' in height.
Mouse Creek Falls
Easily reached from a 2.0 mile hike on the Big Creek Trail, this family friendly hike follows along the many waterfalls and boulder filled cascades of Big Creek. Tucked away in a quiet part of the park, there are countless opportunities along this trail to take in the picturesque scenery of one of the less visited parts of the Smokies. Located just inside the North Carolina state line off I-40, the Big Creek access area was initially developed in the 1930’s as an alternate entrance into the national park.
Midnight Hole Falls
A remote and scenic waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest near Highway 215 and The Blue Ridge Parkway. The fall is accessible via a short trail and moderate trail.
Dill Falls
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Located immediately roadside on Highway 276 near Brevard NC, the falls are visible from the road, making it handicap accessible. After dropping 50 feet, the pool at the bottom is a popular summer swing hole.
Looking Glass Falls
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You can actually walk behind this 75' beautiful roadside waterfall near Highlands, NC. You'll find easy access parking, restrooms and a viewing platform, all handicap accessible. There is a paved trail down to and behind the falls.
Dry Falls NC
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A spectacular and remote 50' waterfall surrounded by step cliffs. It's a little bit of a hike, though an easy 1.4 mile round trip. The falls are located in Pisgah National Forest, near the
Courthouse Falls
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Just off highway 64 is this 60 foot roadside waterfall. One of the most popular falls in Western NC. It only 20' off the highway and is handicap and disabled friendly
Bridal Veil Falls Highlands NC
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If you're venturing into the Great Smokies and on to Cades Cove in the park, you'll want to stop by Abrams Falls. It is a heavy flowing 25 foot, and beautiful waterfall. The hike out is 2.5 miles, and is very nice and well worth the hike
Abrams Falls, Cades Cove TN
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Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway heading north, the hiking area includes two beautiful waterfalls, the multi-tiered second falls and the tall cascades of the upper falls. The trails meander through valley that was once used for grazing cattle around the turn of the last century. The hikes are moderate. SAFETY - As will any water feature, the trails, rocks and surrounding aresa are often wet and slippery. Use caution when ever hiking around water.
GRAVEYARD FIELDS WATERFALLS
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Mingo Falls is on the Cherokee Indian Reservation (Qualla Boundary), just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No special permits are required for access to the reservation. At 120 feet tall, the waterfall is one of the tallest and most spectacular in the southern Appalachians.
MINGO FALLS
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Located a short drive from Cherokee, Soco Falls' is one of the few double waterfalls you will find in Western North Carolina. This hidden gem featuring a 120-foot cascade is stunning as the sun rises and sets through the foliage behind it.
SOCO FALLS
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Waterfalls continue to be the most asked for feature of Maggie Valley.
There are some spectacular water features that are a close drive from the valley. Though you won't find any near the Valley floor, you won't have to go far. Here are some of our favorites: