Best waterfall hike near asheville7/26/2023 As less-resistant layers wear away, ledges and cliffs of more-resistant formations-particularly sandstones such as the Thunderhead Sandstone-remain, forcing down-cutting streams to spill or outright fall over them. The high Smokies may get 90 inches or more of precipitation each year-a heck of a fountainhead, supplying plenty of water that yields to gravity’s downhill tug.įinally, the diverse, mainly sedimentary geology of the Great Smoky Mountains layers rocks of differing resistance to the forces of erosion, running water foremost among them. That big mass of elevated terrain wrings a lot of rainfall out of passing weather systems, not least the super-moist airmasses sourced in the Gulf of Mexico that commonly slough over this part of the Southern Appalachians. For one thing, the Great Smokies are rugged: Streams follow steep courses, which makes for an overall tumbling, careening quality to water flow here.įurthermore, the range isn’t simply steep, but also high-the most massive block of high country in the Southern Appalachians-and wet. The reasons why there are so many gorgeous cascades and plunges in the range boil down to a few basic ingredients. The Wondrous Waterfalls of the Great Smokies Before we get into the list, though, let’s run through some quick Smoky Mountain Waterfall 101, just to provide some context. In this article, we’ll round up seven of the very best waterfall hikes in the Great Smokies. These whitewater drops rank among the most popular hiking destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and given their spellbinding beauty and almost mystical power to transfix it’s not at all hard to see why. ![]() 7 mile on the left.The Great Smoky Mountains famously abound with waterfalls. ![]() To reach the Grassy Ridge Access Area (the west side of the park), turn south on NC 281 in Sapphire. Turn west on US 64 and travel toward Sapphire. Take exit 40 and make a right onto Hwy 280. Directionsįrom downtown Asheville, take 1-240 to I-26. The hike is open in the winter, when the mist has been known to turn to ice. Rainbow Falls is popular in the summer because of the cooling mist, but the fall color here is also beautiful. People slide down these falls and swim in the swimming hole beneath them, but the currents can be extremely strong so, again, be cautious. While you’ll probably want to linger for a while, you can also continue up the trail for around 10 more minutes to Turtleback Falls, a low waterfall over a curved rock that resembles a turtle shell. Although it may be tempting to try to get photos from the top of the falls, don’t do it: it’s too dangerous. ![]() The water is so strong that you must exercise extreme caution when getting closer: the rocks are slippery. When you arrive at the falls, you’ll feel it: a cool mist will soak you. The trail gets narrower as you pass through a hardwood forest, but you’ll follow along the side of the river most of the way to the falls. While it doesn’t affect your hike, you should know that the trail switches from Gorges State Park to Pisgah National Forest about 20 minutes after you leave the parking lot. With a few creek crossings here, prepare to get your feet wet. From the Grassy Ridge parking lot, the Rainbow Falls trail starts out as gravel, but then starts to descend toward the Horsepasture River. Gorges State Park is located on the Blue Ridge Escarpment, where the mountains end and the Piedmont begins. Consider visiting on a weekday or in the early morning to better enjoy your visit and help take pressure off of busier days and times. VIEW TRAIL INFO & MAPS Bridal Veil Falls 4. With so many natural wonders, the Gorges State Park area is a popular place for outdoor recreation. Catawba Falls 2.7 MILES, ROUND TRIP Our favorite waterfall hike near Asheville crosses several shallow river fords and treks through a shady valley to a century-old hydroelectric dam and several exceptionally beautiful falls set in a mossy, rocky forest.
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