Schoolhouse Falls in Panthertown Valley

Schoolhouse Falls in Panthertown near Cashiers Photo by Asheville Trails

Schoolhouse Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Panthertown Valley, which is part of the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina. The waterfall is named after the old schoolhouse that used to be located nearby.

Panthertown Valley is located in western North Carolina, near the border of North and South Carolina. It is approximately 6 miles from the town of Cashiers, North Carolina, and 14 miles from the town of Brevard, North Carolina. Other nearby towns include Sapphire, Lake Toxaway, and Highlands, North Carolina. Panthertown Valley is part of the Nantahala National Forest, which encompasses over 500,000 acres of protected wilderness in western North Carolina.

To get to Schoolhouse Falls, visitors must hike a moderate 1.5-mile trail that winds through the forest and crosses several streams. Along the way, visitors will pass by several smaller waterfalls and scenic viewpoints before arriving at Schoolhouse Falls.

The waterfall drops approximately 20 feet into a large pool at the base, making it a popular spot for swimming and wading. Visitors can also climb behind the waterfall to see it from a different perspective.

The area around Schoolhouse Falls is also popular for hiking, with several trails that offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. There are also several picnic areas near the falls, making it a great spot for a family outing or a romantic picnic.

To access Schoolhouse Falls, visitors should take Highway 64 east out of Cashiers for approximately 3 miles until they reach the entrance to Panthertown Valley. From there, visitors can follow signs to the Schoolhouse Falls trailhead, which is located at the end of Breedlove Road.