Western North Carolina is truly an outdoor wonderland, and our region’s waterfalls (along with our mountain vistas) are the crown jewel of our area that encourage you to wander through the woods and inspire you to tackle the often steep steps to reach them. Every season 
in Asheville offers beautiful scenery–from spring’s vibrant blooms to summer’s endless outdoor activities to fall’s stunning color to winter’s unobstructed views.
Our distinct seasons make it an ideal time (any time of the year) to chase some waterfalls, so we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most majestic waterfalls near Asheville that you have to experience for yourself:
1.) Soco Falls - They say everything is better in two’s, right? Well, this stunning double waterfall is a dreamy sight reminiscent of a reflection in a mirror. Located near the towns of Maggie Valley and Cherokee, it’s approximately 40 miles from Asheville proper. The short but steep 0.5-mile trail ends at a deck overlooking the falls. If you want a closer look, proceed with caution down a steep path from the deck to the base of the waterfalls. While this section has some ropes to help with balance, it can still be very slippery and tricky to navigate.
2.) Cullowhee/ High Falls at Lake Glenville - This waterfall is located below the Lake Glenville Dam and is approximately 1.5 hours from Asheville. Most of the year, the waterfall is on the smaller side as it cascades over the giant rock faces of Tuskasegee Gorge, but it becomes one of the most powerful waterfalls in North Carolina for a handful of days each year when extra water is
released from the dam for whitewater kayakers or after a hefty rain. The trail has a lot of stairs, which makes it quite strenuous on the way back up. After your hike, check out Lake Glenville nearby to keep the fun going with tubing, paddleboarding, swimming, fishing, and more.
3.) Schoolhouse Falls - This 20 ft. tall waterfall in Panthertown Valley, part of the Nantahala National Forest known as the "Yosemite of the East," is approximately 55 miles from Asheville. On the smaller side, its picturesque terrain and ample swimming area more than makeup for its short stature. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking behind a waterfall, this is the one for you. From behind the falls, you’ll get an unbeatable view of the sienna-colored rock formations and glistening cascade. It’s a great one to visit if you’re hoping to cool off during the heat of summer.
4.) Crabtree Falls - This 70-foot waterfall is conveniently located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 339.5) and provides a “choose your own adventure” loop trail. You can take an easy 3-mile hike to the falls or opt for a tougher 3.5-mile loop trail that takes you above the falls. Extremely picturesque in every season, it shines during the spring when wildflowers are on full display. The vibrant pink crabtree blossoms of the falls’ namesake that emerge each May aren’t as plentiful in this area as they were previously, but there is still an impressive array of wildflowers to enjoy.
5.) Graveyard Fields - Located at Milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this gorgeous loop trail is an especially popular area for hiking during the fall foliage season. The 4-mile long loop will take you to the Lower Falls within a short distance from the parking 
area, or you can keep trekking to the Upper Falls.
6.) Rainbow Falls - Located within the Nantahala National Forest near Gorges State Park (also known as Gorgeous State Park by people on the Greybeard team), this moderate 3.9-mile roundtrip hike takes you to a stunning 150-ft waterfall. The name Rainbow Falls came about because as the falls crash into the pool below, it causes a collection of mist that creates a colorful rainbow when the sun is angled just right.
Gorges State Park receives an annual rainfall of over 80 inches which classifies it as a temperate rainforest and allows its rushing falls and rivers, abundant wildflowers, and lush forests to thrive. To catch a glimpse at that sought-after rainbow in the mist, we recommend traveling there on a sunny day when the water is high, as the rainbow is best seen with the lower angle of the morning sun.
7.) Linville Falls - Perhaps one of the most famous and photographed waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this 3-tiered waterfall is located approximately 65 miles from Asheville in Linville Gorge Wilderness (aka the Grand Canyon of the East) and can be reached from 2 different trails. Erwins View Trail, which begins at the Visitor Center (milepost 316.4), is a moderate 1.6-mile roundtrip trail that offers several viewpoints (Upper Falls Overlook, Chimney View Overlook, and Erwins View Overlook). The second trail comes to a fork approximately 0.2 miles from the Visitor Center. The right fork takes you to Plunge Basin Overlook, an easy-to-moderate 1-mile roundtrip trail where you can view the lower falls and the Chimneys, and the left fork takes you on the Linville Gorge Trail, a difficult and strenuous 1.4-mile roundtrip hike that ends at the bottom of the falls.
8.) Grogan Creek Falls - Located within the Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, Grogan Creek Falls is actually one
of four waterfalls that can be accessed via the Cat Gap Loop Trail, which begins at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Grogan Creek Falls is the 4th waterfall that you’ll reach after trekking approximately 2.75 miles one way (5.5 miles roundtrip). Ringing in at about 20-ft, the water at this unique waterfall cascades down in a series of vertical lines that are separated by spaces with little to no water.
The other waterfalls along this trail are Cedar Rock Falls, Upper Cedar Rock Falls, and a third unnamed waterfall. Also accessible from the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is John Rock, a 5-mile loop hike that reaches a 3,320-ft summit that offers breathtaking panoramic mountain views and a prime view of Looking Glass Rock to the north.
9.) Sliding Rock Falls + Looking Glass Falls - In the heat of summer, when you are in serious need of a refreshing plunge, we recommend zipping down a natural water slide into a cool 8-ft deep pool of water at Sliding Rock Falls. This 60-ft rock slide is just off the road, open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and welcomes visitors for $5 per person. Children are permitted to slide, but they must have an adult if under the age of 7. Life jackets, children's floaties, and water shoes are highly recommended. After your slide of a lifetime, continue driving a few miles to Looking Glass Falls, a popular and extremely easy-to-view 60-ft roadside waterfall. There are steps leading down to the falls for a close-up view, and you can even swim underneath the falling water when 
the water flow is lower. This waterfall earned its name because when the water freezes on its sides in the winter and glistens in the sun it looks like a mirror or looking glass. This one is a great one to visit in any season!
10.) Whitewater Falls (Upper) - Holding the title of highest waterfall east of the Rockies and one of the tallest in the U.S., Upper Whitewater Falls is located in Cashiers near the border where North Carolina crosses into South Carolina. The falls plunge 411 ft; talk about a waterfall of epic proportions!
This waterfall and the surrounding area are a rugged haven where wildflowers and wildlife flourish and are home to a vast array of ferns, mosses, and fungi. There is an upper overlook and lower overlook that provide excellent views of the falls, and for more seasoned hikers, there is a 0.5-mile spur trail that branches off from a main trail and drops 600-ft to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. However, the two overlooks offer the best and safest viewpoints of the waterfall.
Bonus Hike: One of our favorite hikes is Catawba Falls in Old Fort (approximately 25 miles from Asheville), a 100-foot tall waterfall that follows a 1.5-mile trail (3 miles roundtrip). Most of the trail runs along the Catawba River and is mostly level with a couple of slight inclines, so it’s perfect for families, pets, and those looking for an easy-to-moderate trek. If you're seeking a more strenuous hike, you can extend your hike by half a mile to Upper Catawba Falls, which is equally scenic and tranquil. Please note that Catawba Falls Trail is closed until Spring 2024 for
major updates and improvements, but we’re excitedly awaiting its opening!
This list scratches the surface of the many waterfall hikes accessible from Asheville, but we hope it inspires you to get outside and explore the unending beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains!
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