20 Stunningly Beautiful Asheville Hikes with Waterfalls

The stunning beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Temperate Rainforests that surround Asheville are a nature enthusiasts dream.

You have hundreds of thousands of acres of extraordinary natural landscapes to explore within a short drive from downtown Asheville.

The intermingling of rainforests, hills, rivers and mountains create some of the best hiking trails you can ever come across.

What is even better though, are the gorgeous waterfalls that accompany the already breathtaking scenery.

These waterfalls are as diverse as the ecological diversity that you find all around the Asheville area.

That is why, waterfall hiking has become such a loved recreational activity for people in Asheville.

I really implore each one of you to experience the beautiful Asheville hikes with waterfalls that everyone keeps gushing about.

It is one of the best things you can do to really witness the magnificence of nature.

A quick note before I move ahead. If you haven’t already, do go through my glamping in Asheville article published not too long ago.

It will give you a better idea of the absolute beauty and diversity of Asheville’s natural landscape.

Note: You can book the most surreal experiences and activities in Asheville including guided hikes to the best waterfalls from Viator’s Asheville section (A TripAdvisor company).

Before you go waterfall hiking in Asheville NC

Before you go waterfall hiking in Asheville, NC, please do keep these important tips and considerations in minds.

1) Network connections within forest areas and a few others places may be patchy.

What I suggest is to mark the route from your car to the end destination on Google Maps beforehand.

Use the download feature to ensure the map works even if you are offline.

This can save you a lot of headaches as some of the best hikes do come with irregular mobile signals.

2) Please do plan in advance where to park before leaving home.

Depending on parking, you could have a short hike or end up with a longer hike to the waterfall.

3) Always be mindful of your surroundings, keep the hiking trail clean and just enjoy nature at its purest form.

4) Some parts of the trail can be quite slippery especially after heavy rainfall. Do keep this in mind and wear appropriate shoes.

5) Most hikes can be done as part of a day trip. If you do wish to stay overnight, look for the many glamping sites available all-around Asheville.

Several glamping spots near Asheville not only provide a unique stay option, but come with brilliant hiking trails for guests.

The 20 Best Asheville Hikes with Waterfalls

These are the absolute best waterfall hikes you can find not just in Asheville but all of western North Carolina.

There is nothing better than hiking up to these majestic waterfalls and soaking up the natural beauty.

1) Triple Falls

Triple Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls near Asheville. It is located inside the beautiful DuPont State Recreational Forest at Henderson, North Carolina.

As the name suggests, this 38 m (125-foot) tall waterfall has three layers or levels creating a unique effect.

You can hike to the base of the falls or take the stairs to explore further.

Overall, it is an easy hike that should not take more than an hour from the parking lot.

Do note that certain areas are quite steep and hence it could be classified as moderate difficulty for some.

Although the trail is mainly a gravel road, it is easy to walk on and well maintained.

I particularly like couple of things about the Triple Falls Hike.

First, for a good part of the hike you walk along with the gorgeous Little River.

There is a wonderful picnic area at the Triple Falls shelter that is quite popular with visitors.

Second, DuPont State Forest has four major waterfalls near to each other. This means you could do all four if you want a longer hike and more exciting adventure.

The four falls are Triple Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.

I will cover the other three falls a little later. They are all equally gorgeous and are a must-explore.

A quick note on the picnic area at Triple Falls shelter. Please do carry your own picnic supplies and collect your trash once you are ready to leave.

During weekends and holidays, you may experience several groups of people here being such a popular waterfall hike near Asheville.

The distance from downtown Asheville to Triple Falls trail is about 37 miles via I-26 E.

2) Looking Glass Falls

One of the easiest waterfalls to access, Looking Glass Falls is located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard.

You can view the waterfall from the main road itself. Just drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway along U.S. 276.

It is a super short walk from the parking area to the falls.

If you want to visit an easily accessible gorgeous waterfall with your family, Looking Glass Falls is for you.

It is also one of the few Asheville waterfalls where you can swim at the base. Just don’t forget to carry your bathing suit.

Looking Glass Falls is considered amongst the best roadside waterfalls near Asheville and a popular swimming hole.

Please do visit Looking Glass Falls both in summer and winter. The kinds of reflections at the edges are just unique and breathtaking.

In fact, the mirror effect from frozen water at the sides is what gives Looking Glass Falls its name.

There is a strategically placed observation deck or viewing platform on the main road. You can view the full splendor of the Looking Glass Falls and take perfect pictures from here.

Looking Glass Falls is 60 feet tall and about 35 miles from downtown Asheville.

3) Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is located within the DuPont State Forest and one of the famous four waterfalls in the area.

This 120-foot waterfall is well-known as the shooting location for the Hunger Games movie.

Similar to the other waterfall hikes within DuPont State Forest, the trail is all gravel roads.

Some parts can be narrow with loose rocks and is considered as a moderate difficulty hike.

The Fawn Lakes parking area is the main access point to Bridal Veil Falls.

Do note that there is a trail from the High Falls parking area as well.

The entire loop will take you about 2 hours to complete. The trail is actually quite thrilling with a covered bridge, stunning views and incredible flora and fauna.

All of the waterfall hikes within DuPont State Forest are totally worth it especially the Bridal Veil Falls trail.

4) Hooker Falls

Staying with DuPont State Forest, we have Hooker Falls, the third waterfall in the area.

Hooker Falls is actually the shortest of all the waterfalls in DuPont State Forest at a height of 12-feet.

However, do not let that deter you as it is a wide waterfall creating a beautiful waterbody at its base.

Sitting on the rocks, putting your feet in the water and admiring the beautiful views all around feels sublime.

Hooker Falls is the easiest to access in DuPont State Forest, just a short walk away from the parking lot.

5) High Falls

Our fourth and final waterfall in our list inside DuPont State Forest is High Falls.

This 120-foot majestic waterfall is an easy, half mile hike from the parking area.

The hike is family friendly and starts at the visitor center.

High Falls is the largest of all the waterfalls inside DuPont State Forest.

Similar to Triple Falls shelter, you have the High Falls shelter overlooking the falls. This is one of the best places for a nice family picnic on a hot summer day.

Most visitors prefer doing the Triple Falls, High Falls and Hooker Falls trail on the same day.

If you have the energy, you can do Bridal Veil Falls as well.

Note: The distance to High Falls and Hooker Falls from downtown Asheville is the same as Triple Falls.

Hence, that would be 37 miles via I-26 E.

6) Catawba Falls

Just 30 minutes from Asheville, you have the beautiful multi-tiered Catawba Falls.

This brilliant waterfall goes through layers of rock giving a wonderful cascading effect.

Catawba Falls is located inside the Pisgah National Forest, near Old Fort.

I believe its location makes the Catawba Falls hiking trail one of the best day hikes from Asheville.

From the parking area at Old Fort, you walk through shaded forest area with lush greenery all the way.

The best part, you get to hike towards the headwaters of the Catawba river and enjoy the gorgeous river banks.

Nature enthusiasts will absolutely love the hike going through the forest and river towards a cascading waterfall.

Overall, Catawba Falls trail is an easy hike although some sections have moderate difficulty. This is mainly due to slippery rocks and uneven natural forest paths.

Height of Catawba Falls is 100 feet and the roundtrip distance for the hike is about 3 miles.

Depending upon how far you want to go, some climbing may be required.

However, please stick to the trail and do not climb on the slippery rocks on the sides.

Catawba Falls is 27.5 miles from downtown Asheville towards I-40 E.

Please Note: The Catawba Falls trail has been temporarily closed for maintenance purposes. It is expected to open by Spring 2024.

7) Skinny Dip Falls

Skinny Dip Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway is considered by many as one of the best waterfalls in Asheville.

This is mainly due to the fact that the multiple layers of cascading falls make gorgeous secluded spots for swimming.

There is a particular point where visitors love to jump from a height into the pool below.

A multi-tiered, series of cascading falls, Skinny Dip Falls creates a beautiful nature rich environment around itself.

The hike to Skinny Dip Falls starts at Looking Glass Rock overlook and is about a mile.

Most would find the trail easy but you do encounter rocky areas that may be of moderate difficulty.

If you love wooden bridges over rivers and waterfalls, then you will love the little bridge at the trail.

It is perfect for taking pictures and getting a closer look at the natural beauty all around.

Being a series of falls, you can find a great spot for yourself to sit and admire the beauty.

Skinny Dip Falls is one of the best hiking and swimming waterfalls in Asheville.

The driving distance from downtown Asheville to Skinny Dip Falls is about 33 miles.

Please note: Skinny Dip Falls may be closed at the moment due to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Fred.

8) Moore Cove Falls

A 50-foot beautiful waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest, Moore Cove Falls provides a nature-rich super easy hike.

The total round-trip hike is about 1.5 miles going through gorgeous forest paths full of thriving greenery.

The charming hike through the forest is not the only reason to go on the Moore Cove Falls trail.

Once you reach the falls, you can actually walk behind it and make your self comfortable on the back rocks.

For me, that is the best feature of Moore Cove Falls that only a handful of other waterfalls can match.

Moore Cove Falls is quite close to the popular Looking Glass Falls at Brevard in Transylvania County.

If you are up for it, you can do both hikes on the same day.

The distance from downtown Asheville to Moore Cove Falls is about 38 miles.

9) Crabtree Falls

One of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Asheville, Crabtree Falls is a must-visit on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Note this is a hike with moderate difficulty and not as easy as most of the other hikes given above.

Having said that, the Crabtree Falls trail is completely worth the effort. You get a mesmerizing large and thick waterfall above 70 feet tall.

The hike goes through beautiful forest paths abundant in rich flora and fauna.

Once you are near Crabtree Falls, you will see a nice wooden bridge from where you can take great pictures.

You can park near the Crabtree Falls campground visitor center to start your hike.

At a short distance away, there is a picnic area as well where you can unwind after doing the trail. This area comes with picnic tables and a few other basic facilities.

Do note you have to clean up completely after your picnic to keep the area unspoiled.

Crabtree Falls is about 45 miles from downtown Asheville towards the north.

10) Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is an absolutely stunning 150-foot waterfall located between Pisgah National Forest and Gorges State Park.

The main trail starts at the Grassy Ridge Parking area within Gorges State Park.

This is a longer hike than other waterfall hikes near Asheville but totally worth it.

As the name suggests, you could get lucky and view a rainbow along with the majestic falls.

The hike is of moderate difficulty and allows you to view the waterfalls from both on top and bottom.

If you are ready to hike for a longer duration, you could go all the way to the Turtleback Falls and Stairway Falls. It is possible to hike to a viewing point for the Drift Falls as well.

Of course, you could just get to Rainbow Falls and ensure you experience it from all angles.

The entire area is filled with gorgeous scenery and you will love the splendor of the Horsepasture River.

Rainbow Falls is about 56 miles from downtown Asheville near Sapphire.

11) Hickory Nut Falls

One of the tallest waterfalls near Asheville, Hickory Nut Falls at the Chimney Rock State Park is simply breathtaking.

The height of the falls is about 123 metres or about 404 feet.

With such a height, standing near the base and admiring the waterfall is a real delight.

I also like that the hike is quite simple and follows a wonderful nature-rich path.

There is uphill climb involved at certain places of the trail but it is not too tough. In fact, you can easily take children and keep walking at a leisurely pace.

The trail each way is a little less than a mile with great scenery all the way. You can choose to extend the hike to explore other areas within Chimney Rock.

There is a small picnic area as well near the base of the falls.

Hickory Nut Falls is definitely a must-do waterfall hike near Asheville especially after good rainfall.

The distance from downtown Asheville to Hickory Nut Falls is about 25 miles.

12) Dry Falls

A super easy trail located within the Nantahala National Forest on US Highway 64; Dry Falls is a real delight.

You can view the falls from the observation deck roadside but please do take the short walk to the falls.

As you walk towards the falls, you actually end up going behind it. This is the most unique aspect of Dry Falls and the reason for its immense popularity.

The beautiful path actually takes you to the back of the falls while keeping you dry. Mind you if the water force is high depending upon the season, you may get slightly wet.

Dry Falls actually goes over a cliff while the well-maintained pathway goes along the edges.

To be honest, this is not much of a hike given the short distance but is definitely worth the trip.

You can always walk around and check out other parts of the Nantahala National Forest.

The height of Dry Falls is about 65 feet.

Dry Falls is about 82 miles from downtown Asheville.

13) Linville Falls

A stunning series of waterfalls in between a majestic gorge, Linville Falls is an absolute beauty.

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is one of the most famous waterfalls near Asheville.

The trail that starts at the visitor center is one of the most picturesque trails in entire North Carolina.

The total roundtrip trail of little over 2 miles has various vantage points to view different aspects of the falls.

You get everything from cascading waterfalls to roaring rivers, gorges, cliffs, forests etc.

The hike is of moderate difficulty but is seriously worth it. Being a series of waterfalls, the height of the falls differs from 45 feet to 90 feet.

The hike itself has an elevation of above 3000 feet with mesmerizing views all around. Do remember there are downhill and uphill sections that can be difficult for some.

The final base of the falls has a wide waterbody and is simply gorgeous.

The approximate distance from downtown Asheville to Linville Falls is about 56 miles.

14) Upper Whitewater Falls

At 411-feet tall, Upper Whitewater Falls in the Nantahala National Forest is one of the tallest waterfalls near Asheville.

Some say it is the tallest waterfall of all although this has not been officially verified.

While I can’t say whether it’s the tallest or not, I can say the Upper Whitewater Falls hike is brilliant.

This is a relatively easy and short hike from the parking lot. Do note it can be steep at times and care needs to be taken while climbing.

The hiking trail is scenic and comes with an upper and lower overlook for fantastic views of the falls.

You can continue the trail all the way to the bottom towards Whitewater River. This is the part that is quite steep as mentioned before.

The height of the cascading Upper Whitewater Falls with the scenic trail makes it a must-do hike near Asheville.

The Upper Whitewater Falls parking lot provides picnic facilities as well which makes it a great place for families.

Do keep in mind there is an Upper Falls and Lower Falls at Whitewater River. If you want a long hike, you can follow the trail to view both and the surrounding areas of the forest.

Upper Whitewater Falls is about 60 miles from downtown Asheville.

15) Daniel Ridge Falls

Daniel Ridge Falls is a gorgeous 150-foot waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest close to Brevard.

While the falls is as beautiful as all the others in the area, not too many know about it.

Mind you it is getting popular with time and more hikers are discovering the joys of visiting Daniel Ridge Falls.

Once you are at the parking lot, you get two choices. Choose the easy trek which is a short half mile hike to the base of the falls. Or, opt for the entire loop which is about 4 miles total.

Obviously, the 4-mile loop is a longer hike and of moderate difficulty. However, you get to view the falls from the base and from top. Plus, you have the scenic beauty of the area for you to enjoy.

Whichever hike you choose, it will be worth the effort and the natural beauty all around is as mesmerizing.

Do note Daniel Ridge Falls is sometimes referred to as the Tom Spring Falls as well as Jackson Falls. So, all of these falls are the same place just in case you find them separately during your waterfall research.

Daniel Ridge Falls is about 40 miles from downtown Asheville.

16) Tom’s Creek Falls

Tom’s Creek Falls is a serene 80-foot waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest near Marion.

You can easily reach the base of the falls from the basic parking lot, about half a mile away.

The trail goes through gorgeous wooded forest area and is quite easy to hike for people of all ages.

One interesting aspect of hiking to Tom’s Creek Falls is that you can view Mica rocks near the waterfall.

On sunny days, you can see these rocks shining brightly reflecting the sunlight.

There is a nice observation deck from where to view the cascading Tom’s Creek Falls and click the best pictures.

Overall, Tom’s Creek Falls is a beautiful place for a nice, easy hike, suited for everyone.

Tom’s Creek Falls is about 42 miles from downtown Asheville.

17) Slick Rock Falls

Slick Rock Falls is a small 35-foot waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard.

Cascading on the Slick Rock Creek, this waterfall is seasonal and during summers, there is hardly any flow of water.

Having said that, it is totally worth the hike after a rainy day.

You can go behind the waterfalls, underneath the cliff and enjoy a great perspective of the falling water.

You should be ready to get a bit wet. Please do take care since the rocks can get quite slippery.

Slick Rock Falls gets its name from the slick rocks in the area. They may be smooth and shiny but can get slippery for sure.

The trail is less than a mile and should be relatively simple to do for most hikers.

Slick Rock Falls is about 40 miles from downtown Asheville.

18) Soco Falls

Soco Falls is a rare double waterfall beauty located between Maggie Valley and Cherokee.

It is quite close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and can be accessed from roadside.

There is a small parking area on the road itself from where it’s a short walk to the observation deck.

The hike or walk towards the viewing area is simple. However, the hike to the base of the falls is incredibly tough.

To be honest, hiking to the base for a closer look is not recommended. This is due to its high difficulty and number of accidents in the past.

Walking up to the observation deck is thrilling enough and you get a nice view of the converging waterfalls.

Many visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park prefer a quick stopover at Soco Falls to admire its beauty.

Depending upon the season, the height of Soco Falls can differ between 40 feet to 120 feet.

Some feel winter is the best time to visit Soco Falls as the view is clearer from the observation area. Of course, any day after good rainfall is great to see the falls in all its might.

Soco Falls is about 40 miles from downtown Asheville.

19) French Broad Falls

Located at Living Waters, Balsam Grove, French Broad Falls is a beautiful wide waterfall about 15 feet tall.

Now its height may not be much to talk about, but the width of the falls is certainly noteworthy.

In fact, the French Broad Falls and Mill Shoals fall make for a stunning twin waterfall extravaganza.

Do note that the area is a private property. However, the owners are known to allow hikers to check out the twin falls.

I was actually in two minds whether to recommend a waterfall hike within a private property.

Nevertheless, I have included French Broad Falls in my list due to its beauty and the sight of the twin falls.

Its width and seeing two waterfalls nearby make French Broad Falls and Mill Shoals Falls a unique sight.

Depending upon where you park, the hike to French Broad Falls is quite short and extremely easy.

French Broad Falls is about 45 miles from downtown Asheville.

20) Roaring Fork Falls

Roaring Fork Falls is located in the Pisgah National Forest near Burnsville.

This is quite an interesting waterfall as it is a long, narrow fall cascading along the beautiful mountain forest.

Roaring Fork Falls is about 100 feet long and about 50 feet high.

The winding path in which it flows through the hills is extremely charming and picturesque.

The easy hike to the Roaring Fork Falls is only half a mile and scenic all the way. This is a nice, family friendly, short hike in a really beautiful part of Pisgah National Forest.

Do note that Roaring Fork Falls is also referred to as Roaring Creek Fork Falls.

Roaring Fork Falls is about 48 miles from downtown Asheville.

Final thoughts

Asheville is blessed to have over 100 stunning waterfalls within a 60-mile radius.

If you are ready to drive further, then you have access to several hundred more.

All of the waterfalls are surrounded with such incredible beauty that they have become popular spots for hiking and picnics.

I truly believe going on a waterfall hike is one of the best things to do when in Asheville.