Our Top Hikes and Waterfalls

Waterfalls and Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is a scenic escape for waterfall chasers and hikers alike, offering everything from easy strolls to panoramic overlooks. Here’s your guide to the top waterfalls and trails along the Parkway, including where to stop, what to explore, and essential details to plan your adventure!

Linville Falls - MP 316.3

Overview: Linville Falls is a must-see with four different views over a 2.2-mile network of trails. The main falls cascade 90 feet and offer breathtaking views of the Linville Gorge from several overlooks, including the Plunge Basin and Erwins View Trail.
Highlights: Multiple vantage points, spectacular gorge views, short hike options.

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Crabtree Falls - MP 339.5

Overview: Just off the Parkway, Crabtree Falls is a stunning 70-foot cascade accessible by a 3-mile loop trail. In early summer, wildflowers fill Crabtree Meadows with colorful blooms, adding to the allure.
Highlights: Beautiful forest setting, photogenic waterfall, seasonal wildflowers.

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Roaring Fork Falls - MP 344.1 (NC Highway 80 Detour)

Overview: A hidden gem near the Parkway, Roaring Fork Falls features a series of cascading falls along a gentle 1-mile roundtrip trail. The trail winds through a lush forest and along the creek, making it an easy and scenic outing.
Highlights: Peaceful trail, small cascades, easy access.

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Glassmine Falls - MP 362.1

Overview: No hike required! Glassmine Falls can be seen from a Parkway overlook. This seasonal waterfall tumbles down the mountain, best viewed after recent rains.
Highlights: Convenient roadside view, striking after rain.

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Graveyard Fields Falls - MP 418.8

Overview: Graveyard Fields is a popular stop, with two falls accessible via short hikes. The first, Second Falls, is reached by a short, easy trail. Upper Falls is a bit farther, perfect for more exploration through fields of wild blueberries and blackberries in late summer.
Highlights: Two waterfalls, berry-filled fields in summer, family-friendly.

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Skinny Dip Falls - MP 417

Overview: A local favorite for a refreshing dip, Skinny Dip Falls features a crystal-clear swimming hole fed by a series of gentle cascades. The 0.9-mile trail is a quick, fun hike, leading to a serene spot to cool off.
Highlights: Swimming hole, short hike, beautiful cascades.

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Soco Falls - 1 Mile Off Parkway on U.S. Highway 19

Overview: Near Cherokee, this double waterfall is a stunner, viewable after a short, steep walk. Two streams cascade side-by-side, offering a unique and powerful display of nature’s force.
Highlights: Double waterfall, close to the road, serene forested setting.

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Hiking Trails Along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Rough Ridge - MP 302.8

Overview: Rough Ridge offers sweeping summit views from the start, leading to scenic boardwalks along rocky outcrops. The 1.2-mile trail is short but often crowded due to its popularity and spectacular views.
Highlights: Boardwalks, jagged rocky summit, panoramic vistas.

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Mount Mitchell Summit Trail - MP 355

Overview: Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi, and this easy 1-mile hike takes you right to the summit with epic views. The nearby Balsam Nature Trail offers a peaceful, scenic loop through spruce-fir forest.
Highlights: High-elevation views, summit hike, shaded forest trails.

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Craggy Gardens Trail - MP 364

Overview: This 1.9-mile roundtrip trail is a favorite for its dreamy, flower-filled mountain top and sweeping views. The trail is easy to follow and particularly stunning when rhododendrons bloom in summer.
Highlights: Blooming rhododendron, easy summit hike, views of endless blue ridges.

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Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop - MP 420

Overview: The 5-mile loop across Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain is famous for its open, grassy balds and 360-degree views. The high-elevation trail passes through wildflower meadows, perfect for a serene and scenic trek.
Highlights: Grassy balds, 360° views, popular photography spot.

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Graveyard Fields Loop - MP 418.8

Overview: One of the Parkway’s most beloved hikes, Graveyard Fields covers 3.3 miles of easy-to-moderate trails through fields and woods with two waterfalls along the way. It’s especially beautiful during the fall foliage season.
Highlights: Two waterfalls, accessible trail, vibrant fall colors.

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Devil’s Courthouse - MP 422

Overview: A short, steep hike to one of the Parkway’s most breathtaking summits, Devil’s Courthouse offers panoramic views that stretch across North Carolina and neighboring states. This .9-mile trail is a quick, rewarding climb.
Highlights: Epic views, steep climb, high-elevation forest.

Whether you’re on a scenic drive or out to explore, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina is packed with incredible waterfalls and hikes, from serene falls hidden in the forest to epic mountain summits that showcase the vast beauty of the Appalachians. Grab your camera, pack a snack, and hit the trail – unforgettable adventures await!