DuPont State Forest

What it is: Two spectacular waterfalls – Triple Falls and High Falls -- plus a bonus smaller one -- Hooker Falls

Distance: 2 miles round-trip. 1.5 hours.

To get there: From Brevard, take 64 East for 3 miles to its intersection with NC 280 and US276. Take a right, and follow US64 east for 3.7 miles. At the traffic light, turn right onto Crab Creek Rd, and drive 4.3 miles. Turn right onto DuPont Road (becomes Staton Rd), and drive 3.1 miles, until you see a gravel parking lot on the right for Hooker Falls.

More info: A nice loop takes in the two best waterfalls in the area, while another 10 minute walk brings you to smaller Hooker Falls.

Triple Falls from the Hooker Falls Access Area
Carefully cross the road and bridge from the Hooker Falls Access Area (watch for traffic), descend the stairs and follow Triple Falls Trail to the falls. It is a 10-15 minute walk to this 150-foot waterfall featuring three cascades. There is a short uphill to the viewing area and picnic shelter. Enjoy the side trail to the river between the second and third cascades.

High Falls from Triple Falls
Continue up the hill from the Triple Falls viewing area and turn left on High Falls Trail at the intersection at the top of the hill. (To the right is Triple Falls Trail to Buck Forest Road.) At the next fork, turn right on High Falls Trail up to the viewing area and picnic shelter. There is a side trail to the base of the waterfall, which is 120 feet high.

Alternate Easy Return to Triple Falls from High Falls
From High Falls, continue up High Falls Trail and turn right on Triple Falls Trail near Buck Forest Road. At the Triple Falls Picnic Shelter, return to the Hooker Falls Access Area by taking Galax Trail. Go under the bridge and turn left to the stairs and cross the highway bridge facing traffic.

Hooker Falls
Hooker Falls is an easy 5-10 minute walk downstream from the Hooker Falls Access Area. It drops off a 12-foot ledge directly into Cascade Lake. This waterfall features an observation deck. 

Hikes West of Brevard

Whiteside Mountain

What it is: A short hike to one of the best views in the area. A spectacularly scenic loop trail with views from some of eastern America’s highest cliffs.

Distance: 2 miles round-trip. About 1.5 hours.

To get there: From Brevard, take 64 West to Cashiers, about 30 miles. Continue on 64 another 4 miles past Cashiers. Turn left onto Whiteside Mountain Road, at the junction marked by a Forest Service sign that reads “VISTA POINT/WHITESIDE MOUNTAIN”. Drive 1 mile to a left turn into a parking area with pit toilets.

More info: A gradual hike to the summit follows an old road grade, to wonderful views of the valley and cliffs. Return on same route, or turn right and follow the return path along the cliffs, for a slightly more-strenuous (but very scenic!) loop route back to the parking lot.


Panthertown Valley

What it is: A 6,700-acre oasis in the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers. You can visit two waterfalls (Granny Burrell and Schoolhouse) on a relatively flat path. Great views of the valley looking east from Salt Rock and west from Little Green Mountain.

Distance: 8 miles round-trip lollipop loop, with shorter options.

To get there: From Brevard, take 64 West just over 20 miles to Cedar Creek Road. Take a right and continue 3.4 miles to paved parking, another 0.4 miles to gravel trailhead parking.

Map: A new map of Panthertown Valley has been produced by Slickrock Expeditions guide Burt Kornegay and the U.S. Forest Service. Copies should be available at the Highland Hiker, U.S. 64 & N.C. 107 in Cashiers.

Be forewarned: Trails here are sparsely marked. The aforementioned map is highly recommended.

More info: There’s a relatively gentle half-mile descent to the valley floor from the parking area along an old dirt roadbed. From there, 2.3 miles of flat hiking will take you to Granny Burrell Falls, a long slide down smooth rock into a generous pool, and Schoolhouse Falls, which drops about 20 feet over a rock ledge, also into a good-size pool.

If you’re up for a little climbing — about 370 vertical feet in 0.8 miles — continue from Schoolhouse Falls up to Little Green Mountain (see map), where exposed rock offers great views and good picnic opportunities. Total distance, trailhead-back-to-trailhead is less than 5 miles for Granny Burrell and Schoolhouse falls, and Little Green Mountain. The 8-mile lollipop loop takes in all of the above and includes a steep climb up 4,206-foot Big Green Mountain (no views, but some nice ridgeline hiking).

Cashiers: Worth a quick stop for lunch or a brief walk around the town. There's a walking trail that winds its way around the town shops, and a little bit of forest trail. Lots of restaurants, from Subway to Canyon Kitchen, which serves local fare.