Waterfall Hikes in North Carolina (NC)
0 National Parks
768 Major Cities
106 Waterfalls
to explore
In North Carolina the southern Blue Ridge and higher Appalachian ridgelines produce most waterfalls, where steep escarpments, narrow river gorges, alpine creeks and piedmont river valleys create a mix of plunges, tiers and cascades across granite and metamorphic bedrock. Hikes are primarily moderate backcountry routes and rocky canyon scrambles, with a substantial number of short family-friendly trails and a few roadside drops; the state's distinctive high relief and varied geology yield concentrated corridors of long, multi-step falls. See waterfalls near major North Carolina cities .
Popular Difficulties
Moderate: 81 trails
Easy: 21 trails
Drive Up: 4 trails
Trail Types
Loop: 3 trails
Out And Back: 102 trails
Unknown: 1 trails
Featured Parks
National Parks in North Carolina
Best Waterfall Hikes in North Carolina
Our top picks based on trail quality and scenic value.
37.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
5.0 miles
300 ft
5.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles
800 ft
22.3 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles
800 ft
North Carolina
Moderate
4.5 miles
400 ft
29.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.4 miles
300 ft
32.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.2 miles
600 ft
All Waterfall Hikes in North Carolina
27.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.0 miles
300 ft
48.8 miles away
North Carolina
Drive Up
0.1 miles
50 ft
32.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.2 miles
600 ft
36.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
4.0 miles
300 ft
35.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
1.0 miles
200 ft
37.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
18.7 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.3 miles
120 ft
38.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles
300 ft
35.1 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.9 miles
700 ft
34.6 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
3.9 miles
700 ft
9.4 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
33.9 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
7.8 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.5 miles
500 ft
14 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
40.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
36.7 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
33.3 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
2.5 miles
200 ft
19.1 miles away
North Carolina
Easy
0.6 miles
100 ft
34.2 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft
40.5 miles away
North Carolina
Moderate
2.4 miles
350 ft