Category: NC Trails

Wildcat Falls is a 60-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest, just a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (NC Highway 215). Continue reading Wildcat Falls Hike

Dry Falls, a popular waterfall located a few miles outside of Highlands gives you the rare treat of walking safely behind a waterfall. This 75-foot tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over an overhanging cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (hence the name). During rainy spells when the water volume is higher, the spray will prevent you from staying totally dry. Continue reading Dry Falls Hike

The waterfall is not tall, but the cascades are beautiful. You can venture out above and below the bridge. To get the photo left, take one of the steep trails across the road from the parking area. Then cross the stream on the rocks.. Continue reading Sunburst Falls Hike

Wesser Bald is located north of Franklin and south of the popular rafting area along the Nantahala River. We took a short 1.5 mile hike to the tower atop Wesser Bald, North Carolina, on the Appalachian Trail! You will see 360-degree mountain views of the Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. The original … Continue reading Wesser Bald Hike Lookout Tower & Fire Station

We began the hike heading out on the trail next to the restrooms. We knew to look for the Blue Blaze markers for the Sam’s Knob trail and an orange blaze for the Flat Laurel Creek trail, we saw no other blazes along the path other than a yellow taking off to Little Sam – … Continue reading SAM’s Knob Loop w/Lunch option & Buck Springs Lodge Trail

The United States Forest Service built the 70-foot tall tower in 1941. It is the tallest USFS lookout tower in Western North Carolina, and it is now on the National Register of Historic Places. A few tall communication towers share the summit, but they only interfere slightly with the panoramic views. The steel tower atop … Continue reading Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower

The Directions to the lookout tower. In Franklin, NC take Hwy-64 W towards Murphy, NC for 12 miles. At just before the 12th mile you will see a brown sign for “Wallace Gap”, “Appalachian Trail” & “Standing Indian Campground” with arrows pointing you towards West Old Murphy Road (SR 1448) on your left. Stay on … Continue reading Albert Mountain Lookout Tower & Ranger Station