Horse Shoe, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Horse Shoe? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Horse Shoe. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Horse Shoe

  • Sunset, South Carolina

    Virginia Hawkins Falls (Double Falls)

    4.0
    2.6 mi / 456 ft gain
    A moderate to advanced 2.6 mile hike has many stairs and a lot of ascents and descents along the way. The hike may not be the easiest but the payoff is worth it. The trail is easily marked so no need to worry about getting lost. 
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  • Old Fort, North Carolina

    Catawba Falls

    4.8
    2.19 mi / 394 ft gain
    Please note, Catawba Falls is temporarily closed. You can learn more about updates at www.fs.usda.gov. This quick and relatively easy hike is located close to Asheville, NC. If you're looking to have the trail to yourself, it can be a little tough. It's best to get there as early as possible or ...
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  • Tuckasegee, North Carolina

    Paradise Falls

    4.3
    0.74 mi / 167 ft gain
    To the north of Panthertown lies a chain of dammed lakes that are some of the most peaceful waters in Western North Carolina. These make up the headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River. The gorges that run between the top lakes are wild, scenic, and adventurous to even the most experie...
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  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Hike the Toxaway River Trail

    5.0
    1.25 mi
    This easy 1.25 mile hike is located within the Lake Toxaway community. The trail itself follows a small creek as it winds through the valley. Be warned - there are numerous stream crossings. Most of the crossings are fairly easy at normal water levels, but can be difficult if the water is high. S...
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  • Black Mountain, North Carolina

    Craggy Pinnacle Trail

    4.8
    1.03 mi / 285 ft gain
    I usually spend the day visiting restaurants and breweries around Asheville. Before it gets late, so you can enjoy the views, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway located right outside the city. After about 30 minutes on the parkway, you will park at the Craggy Pinnacle parking lot Milepost 364.1. Fro...
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  • Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

    Hike to Raven Rock Falls

    0.5 mi
    If you want to see a great waterfall without hiking all day, this is the perfect trail for you.  Getting there - The trailhead is about 2 miles from the intersection of Cold Mountain and Panther Ridge Road (exact coordinates: 35.1594, -82.9801). There is a small grassy pull out where you can park...
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  • Sunset, South Carolina

    Hike to Twin Falls, SC

    5.0
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Once you get to the destination there should be a small parking area. At the end of this parking area you will see the start of the Twin Falls trail that will be mostly a flat walk. Follow this trail approximately 0.5 miles  to the falls. You will know you are in the right place if the creek is r...
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  • Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

    Hike to Schoolhouse Falls and Little Green

    5.0
    3 mi
    Trail signs in Panthertown Valley are limited. Be sure to bring a map! Starting at the Cold Mountain parking lot, hike to Schoolhouse Falls. This is a nice waterfall with a pool at the bottom. In the summer, you are bound to run into other fellow hikers here.  From Schoolhouse Falls, you have the...
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  • Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

    Hike to Warden, Jawbone, and Riding Ford Falls

    4.5 mi
    Warden, Jawbone, and Riding Ford Falls are three waterfalls located along the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River in Panthertown Valley. Not far from the Cold Mountain trailhead, these falls are quite popular in the summer. On a weekend, you will often find people playing in the pools below the fa...
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  • Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

    Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls in Gorges SP

    4.5
    3.91 mi / 778 ft gain
    Rainbow Falls is one of the most scenic waterfalls in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Horsepasture River swells in the rainy season, dumping a cascade of water 150 feet. The plume of mist at the bottom creates a distinct rainbow effect, giving the falls its name. Hike to Rainbow Falls ...
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  • Barnardsville, North Carolina

    Douglas Falls

    5.0
    1.11 mi / 125 ft gain
    The trail begins at the back of the parking area and is marked by a trail sign. Once on the trail, it is a straight shot to the waterfall with no turnoffs. Overall the trail is very easy and is a slight descent all the way down. Around .3 miles into the trail you enter a forest of now-dead hemloc...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Frolictown Falls

    1.5 mi / 350 ft gain
    This is an awesome hike to do if you're short on time or have hours to kill. Because it is so easy to access, it doesn't take very long to get down to it and can be accessed by two separate trails. Both trails are well maintained, however, while there are some blazes, it is not heavily marked. Th...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Granny Burrell Falls

    2.4 mi / 440 ft gain
    Panthertown Valley has a unique system of trails, with each trail having a specific number. Some of the trails listed at the information hut in the parking lot are accessed by taking one or two other trails to get to the start of the trail you are seeking. That is the case when hiking to Granny B...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Wilderness Falls

    1.4 mi / 300 ft gain
    Wilderness Falls offers a beautiful hike with a simple yet captivating falls. All of the maintained trails in Pantertown Valley are marked by a number system (there is an information hut in the parking lot with information about other local trails, distance of different trails, and emergency cont...
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  • Glenville, North Carolina

    Hike to Blackrock Overlook

    3 mi / 700 ft gain
    This is probably one of my favorite hikes I've done in Panthertown Valley. Its also one of the easier views to access. You start from the Salt Rock Gap Parking lot, taking the Blackrock Trail (447) up Blackrock Mountain. This trail is located about 100 yards to the left if you are standing lookin...
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  • Tuckasegee, North Carolina

    Hike to Cedar Cliff Rock

    2.4 mi / 830 ft gain
    Cedar Cliff Rock is one of those local places that exemplifies the Blue Ridge mountains oh-so-well. From the top you can see the Tuckaseegee River along with both Cedar Cliff and Bear Creek Reservoirs. While there are a few homes in between, much of the view is untouched, allowing a big mountain ...
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