Catawba Falls – Located just south of Old Fort. The Catawba Falls trail follows along the Catawba River. You will cross the river at a couple of shallow spots along the way. The trail is about 3 miles round trip, and leads to the base of Catawba Falls, which cascades hundreds of feet over large rocks.
High Falls, DuPont State Forest – This 150-ft. waterfall is in the middle of an amazing 10,000-acre nature sanctuary. One of the most powerful waterfalls in the North Carolina Mountains, High Falls is an easy hike from the parking area (1.2 miles roundtrip) and you can walk or bike to see additional waterfalls nearby
Roaring Fork Falls – The trail is actually an old Forest Service road, just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway off Highway 80. It’s an easy trail, about a mile in length one way. The waterfall goes up and back down to a pool at the base of the falls where the trail leads.
Linville Falls – Probably the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina, Linville Falls is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 316). Trails lead to views of both the upper and lower falls. A moderate hike of 1.6 miles round-trip offers four overlooks.
Toms Creek Falls – Just a few miles off Highway 221 north of Marion. There is a nice 80-foot waterfall inside Pisgah National Forest. The trail is a little more than 1.5 miles round trip and is considered one of the area’s easier hikes.
Rainbow Falls – (3 miles round-trip, moderate) this majestic 150-ft. waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest can be reached via a hiking trail from Gorges State Park. Enjoy the falls safely on a boulder at its base or at the top. A little upstream is Turtleback Falls, a cool summer swimming hole.
Douglas Falls – Craggy Gardens is north of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The elevation gain of 1,300 feet, switchbacks and stream crossings, plus a distance of 6 miles (round trip), the strenuous trail to the 70-foot Douglas Falls is suited for avid hikers.
Looking Glass Falls – Roadside 60-ft. waterfall in Pisgah National Forest along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. Enjoy from the parking area or take the steps down for an up-close look. 10 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway.
Skinny Dip Falls – Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway via a 1/2-mile hiking trail, Skinny Dip has beautiful waterfalls, a jumping off rock and several areas to soak and wade in very cool mountain waters.