Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, is a top destination for outdoor activities and attractions. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, challenging mountain biking trails, and whitewater rafting. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there are plenty of must-visit sites, including waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and historic sites. There are also a number of activities to be had, such as fishing, horseback riding, and camping. No matter what you're looking for, Pisgah Forest has something for everyone. So come explore the best trails and activities that this area has to offer.
Top Spots in and near Pisgah Forest
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Maggie Valley, North Carolina
Soco Falls
5.00.09 mi / 0 ft gainThis double waterfall is located a mile and half off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Cherokee Indian Reservation. From the parking area, it's a short walk down a well-established trail to the viewing area of the falls. For an even closer view of the falls, you can follow a roped, steep path dow...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Explore Dry Falls, North Carolina
4.60.42 mi / 95 ft gainDry Falls is located off of Hwy. 64, which has been designated as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, and the road does not disappoint. Hwy. 64 is a two lane road which hugs the northern side of Cullasaja Gorge, which has been carved by the Cullasaja River. Besides Dry Falls, Hwy. 64 leads you past...Read more -
Montreat, North Carolina
Hike Lookout Mountain, Montreat
5.01.1 mi / 623 ft gainNestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Montreat, North Carolina. Just down the road from Asheville, it neighbors Black Mountain and doesn't disappoint for views. Montreat itself houses a plethora of hiking trails, but the cream of the crop HAS to be Lookout Mountain. After a weekend of checking o...Read more -
Greenville, South Carolina
Lake Conestee Nature Park Loop
2.39 mi / 194 ft gainLake Conestee Nature Park Loop is a family-friendly loop trail located near Greenville, South Carolina. This trail makes for a great stroll and opportunity to do some birdwatching along the route. There are plenty of insects in the warmer months, so you may want to consider packing repellent.Read more -
Old Fort, North Carolina
Catawba Falls
4.82.19 mi / 394 ft gainPlease 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 ...Read more -
Highlands, North Carolina
Explore Cullasaja Falls
5.00.3 mi / 200 ft gainThis is an awesome waterfall that offers views from several different spots along the road as well as a quick hike down to the base! The small pull-off area is located towards the top of the falls. There isn't much space (3 maybe 4 cars at a time), but there are additional pull-off areas further ...Read more -
Black Mountain, North Carolina
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
4.81.03 mi / 285 ft gainI 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...Read more -
Maggie Valley, United States
Hemphill Bald
Hemphill Bald is a quintessential Smoky Mountains vantage point and this moderate loop trail leading to it takes you through beautiful forest and rolling hills. This area is incredible in all seasons - wildflowers in the spring, colorful leaves in the fall, and with bare trees in the winter, the ...Read more -
Waynesville, North Carolina
Explore Cataloochee Valley
5.0History, solitude and wildlife abound in this quiet corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but getting here is not easy. Take the scenic route via Cove Creek Road from Cosby, TN. Drive 40 miles along the twisting, gravel road to Cataloochee, NC. The scenery along the way is outstanding, b...Read more -
Barnardsville, North Carolina
Douglas Falls
5.01.11 mi / 125 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 506, North Carolina
Barrett Knob Fire Tower
5.01.21 mi / 400 ft gainYour hike will start at the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles from the start in Cherokee. The trail starts right off of the parkway in a very small easy to miss dirt road. There is a small area to park that then you start your hike up the dirt road right after the gate. The hike to ...Read more -
Walhalla, South Carolina
Hike to Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel
4.01.5 mi / 250 ft gainFrom Walhalla South Carolina, follow SC 28 westward 7 miles until you see Stumphouse Tunnel Park on the right-hand side of the road. Take this road halfway down, and park in the parking area on the right. From here, you can travel a short walk to the falls overlook, or, for the more adventurous ...Read more -
Sylva, North Carolina
Hike to Cowee Bald Fire Tower
4.4 mi / 400 ft gainThe Cowee Bald Fire Tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City North Carolina. To get there you can either drive almost all the way to the top about .2 miles from the top but to get there you will need to have a 4WD or a higher clearance vehicle to cross a small stream. Ho...Read more -
Walhalla, South Carolina
Hike to Yellow Branch Falls
5.03 miOnce you have turned into the picnic area off of Highway SC 28, you will see the open and easy parking area. The trail begins at 2 points on the southern end of the parking area. These 2 points form a small loop about 0.2 miles long, with a spur in the middle of the loop onto the main yellow bran...Read more -
Dillard, Georgia
Hike to Rabun Bald
5.03 mi / 4696 ft gainStarting at the trailhead you begin by following the yellow blazes. The trail isn't well marked so keep an eye out for the blazes you see. The trailhead starts at the dead end of Kelsey Mountain Trail. The path immediately starts to incline and doesn't stop. A few minutes in you will come to a fo...Read more -
Clyde, North Carolina
Hike to Little Fall Branch falls
0.3 mi / 300 ft gainThe trailhead to this hike is easy to find but the gps is hard to match so it might try to take you through the middle of the trees but its easy to follow the road. The best way to get here is to go off of I-40 at the Harmon Den exit and then go up the road towards Max Patch. To get to the trailh...Read more
