North Carolina Mountain Waterfall Trails Near Boone and Blowing Rock
Easily Accessible NC Mountain Waterfalls:
These three waterfalls are located right on the roadside.
They can be viewed from your
vehicle or small pull-offs, making the views handicap-accessible
and great for families with small children.
Highway 221 Falls
Located on Hwy 221 about 8 miles from Main Street in Blowing Rock. Falls are on the right side of the road with a pull off on either side just after the falls. About 20 feet hight with a shallow plunge pool.
Silvervale Falls
Travel 6 miles south on The Green Park Inn on Hwy 321 (Blowing Rock). Turn right on Waterfalls Road, SR 1372. Falls are 1.7 miles down on the left, with a small pull off beside them. Series of narrow cascades, 100ft.
Rough Ridge Overlook
Small, sloping “slide” falls on Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 302.8. Parking area with sign can view falls from sidewalk. These falls are heavily dependent on rainfall. Short train to right of lot leads to bridge over falls – steep, but not too difficult.
Easy to Moderate NC Mountain Waterfall Trails:
These waterfalls can be found at the end of easier trails. Some portions can be quite steep.
Laurel Creek Falls
Travel north on Hwy 321 from Boone. Turn left to follow 321N toward Johnson City (at Skateworld). Access trail is 5.4 miles down on the left, just after Laurel Creek Road. Pull off is on right across from Laurel Creek Road. Trail is 0.15 miles, narrow and a little steep toward the top.
Elk River Falls
In Elk Park (Highway 194 to 19E) turn right on Old Mill Road at “Elk Park Christian Church” sign (you will also see sign for the falls further down the road). Turn right on Elk River Road after 0.4 miles. Go 4 miles to Pisgah Forest Parking area. Trail is about ¼ mile, some steep wooden steps, 60 ft plunge falls.
The Cascades
Long series of cascade falls with narrow stream. 1.2 mile (loop) moderate train begins at E.B. Jeffress Park, milepost 272 on Blue Ridge Parkway. Plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic area. Very steep wood steps near falls.
Linville Falls
Turn onto Linville Falls Road from Miles post 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Ends at parking lot and Visitor Center. Trail to upper fall is about 0.5 miles and fairly easy. Trail continues to 3 more overlooks with views of lower falls (45 ft) and is steeper with last overlook 0.8 miles from Visitor Center.
Difficult to Strenuous NC Mountain Waterfall Trails:
The rewards of these trails are worth the effort if you are up to the challenge.
Be sure to watch your step as most of these trails wind through rocky areas and are full of roots and dips.
Hebron Falls
Series of cascades over large boulders. On Shull’s Mill Road near Hound Ears Club, turn onto Old Turnpike Road (gravel). At 1.3 miles you will see trail on right, marked. Park on side of road. Trail follows stream (with one crossing) for about ½ mile. Trails will reach boon Fork River, then turn sharply left to follow river. From this point trail increases in difficulty, with hand-over-foot climbs and boulder-hopping.
Crabtree Falls
65 Ft cascades. 2.6 mile loop at Crabtree Meadows, mile post 340 on Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn into campground and follow signs to parking lot for trailhead. Well established trails, but very rocky with roots at lower portions; footing can be tricky. Nice bridge with bench at base of falls for viewing.
Falls of Glen Burney Trail
Trail begins at Annie Cannon Gardens on Laurel Lane in Blowing Rock. Three falls in succession: Cascades 0.8 miles, then Glen Burney at 1.2 miles and Glen Mary at 1.6 miles from trailhead. Trail is very steep after Cascades. Side trails lead to views of Glen Burney and Mary. Note posted safety signs.
Boone Fork Trail
5 mile loop, fairly strenuous crossing Boone Fork River and feeders numerous times with many small cascades and some larger trails to enjoy. Some side trails to water’s edge can be very steep and treacherous. Trailhead begins at Julian Price Park picnic area, Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 295. Watch signs carefully – trails shares its pathway with both the Tanawha and Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail. Boone Fork Trail is marked with orange diamonds.
Upper Creek Falls
Series of cascades with large upper falls. Access on Hwy 181, 5.8 miles south of Blue Ridge Parkway exit – gravel drive at large Pisgah Forest sign leads to parking lot. Trail is marked at both ends, upper and lower, but makes a 1.6 mile loop if you wade or rock-hop the creek twice, following yellow blaze. Upper trail leads to top of high falls. Lower leads to cascades at bottom with lots of switchbacks. Shortcuts have been made across switchbacks, but it is best to stay on the main trail.
NC Mountain Biking/ Hiking Trails Near Boone and Blowing Rock
Easy to Moderate NC Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails:
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Greenway Trail – 6 Miles |
Gravel, dirt trail, paved road.
Access: Watauga Co. Rec. Complex on State Farm Road in Boone
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Howard’s Creek Road Loop – 3.4 Miles |
Gravel, paved road
Access: Intersection of Curly Maple Road and Junaluska Road in Boone. Bike Junaluska to Howard’s Creek Road then Curley Maple back to starting point. 400ft elevation gain.
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Watauga River Road Ride – 8 miles |
Gravel,
dirt road
Access: Begin at Watauga River Road in Valle Crucis. 150 ft elevation gain, scenic pasture land
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Railroad Grade Road – 10 miles |
Flat road along the New River from Fleetwood to Todd
Access: Highway 194 in Todd
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Benson Hollow Loop – 5.4 miles |
Dirt road, single-track trail
Access: Turn right on Roby Martin Road, 13 miles from Blowing Rock. 4.2 miles down Roby Martin turn right onto SR 1368. After 7.2 miles turn right onto forest road 2055 leading to the camp ground. Bike the gated forest road 1 mile down on the left. Park at any pull-off, don’t block gate. About 2.5 miles, there will be several single track trails to your left, these are not part of the Loop.
Moderate to Difficult NC Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails:
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Lower China Creek Loop – 4.4 miles |
Dirt road, single-track trail
Access: 3.2 miles down John’s River Road (Globe Road) in Blowing Rock near NC wildlife gameland boundary. 250 ft elevation gain, creek crossings and wooded scenery
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Junaluska Road Ride – 14 mile loop |
Paved, dirt road
Access: Begin at intersection of Junaluska and Eastview Drive. Significant elevation changes; 1200 ft total elevation gain.
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Eighteen Mile Road – 18.8 miles |
Dirt and gravel road
Access: in Linville, Roseboro Road 9.6 miles to SR 90 pass the Mortimer Recreation area to Forest Road 187. 600ft elevation gain. Views of Table Rock, Hawksbill Mnt and the Linville Gorge.
Note: Stay on the trails, bikes are prohibited in the Linville Gorge
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Spencer Branch Loop – 8.2 miles |
Dirt road, single track trail
Access: Turn right on Roby Martin Road, 13 miles from Blowing Rock. Spencer Brach Road (Forest Road 189) is 2.8 miles down on right.
Difficult to Strenuous NC Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails:
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Upper Wilson Ridge Trail – 9.7 miles |
Dirt and gravel road, single-track trail
Access: Edgemont Road, 9.1 miles to SR 1514 on right. Parking area 10.9 miles further. Look for metal gate made from old guard rail. 1040 ft elevation. Lots of jumps, technical descents. Woodruff Ridge Trail also extends from Upper Wilson.
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Sugar Mountain Trail Loop – 5.9 miles |
Double and single track trails, brief sections of paved road
Access: Sugar Mnt Ski Lodge in Banner Elk. 1100 ft elevation gain. Open only when ski slopes are closet. Helmet required.
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Yancey Ridge Loop – 8.1 miles |
Dirt road
Access: Left on Roseboro Road in Linville. 6.7 miles from this turn is a pull-over. Cross the bridge and bike the first dirt road on left. 1100 ft elevation gain. Erosion has left really technical sections
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Roseborough to Globe Road – 12.4 miles |
Dirt road, single track trail, paved road
Access: Drive to Roseborough (left on Roseboro Road in Linville) and begin trail 6.7 miles from Linville. 1600 ft elevation gain.
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Lower Wilson Ridge Trail – 8.5 miles |
Single-track trail, old logging road, dirt road
Access: Left on Roseboro Road in Linville, 8.8 miles to SR 90 intersection; turn right. Look for blue triangle to mark trail 4.5 miles on right. 800 ft elevation gain.
Very Strenuous NC Mountain Biking & Hiking Trails:
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Table Rock Loop – 26.2 Miles |
Dirt road, paved road
Access: From intersection of Hwy 183 and 181 drive south on 181 to Gingercake Road (SR 1264) at a sign showing mileage to Table Rock picnic area. Turn right then bear left at the fork on Gingercake Acres Road – will change to dirt. Park at picnic area 5.4 miles down. 2450 ft elevation gain.
Note: Stay on the trails, bikes are prohibited in the Linville Gorge.
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Linville Gorge Loop – 49 miles |
Dirt road, paved road
Access: Begin at Linville Farms parking area off Hwy 183. 1450 ft elevation gain. Possibly the toughest ride in the area, skirts the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.
Note: Stay on the trails, bikes are prohibited in the Linville Gorge.
NC Mountain Bike Rentals:
Boone Bike & Touring:
899 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607
828-262-5750
High Mountain Expeditions:
915-2 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
828-295-4200
Wahoo’s Adventures:
3385 Hwy 321, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
800-444-7238
NC Mountain Expeditions & Adventure
High Mountain Expeditions
White water rafting, funyaking and caving.
919 Main Street Blowing Rock, NC 28605
800-528-3874,
828-898-9786
Edge of the World White
water rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling.
Highway 184 Banner Elk, NC 28604
828-898-9550
Mountain Adventure Guides
White Water rafting, guided rock climbing and caving with instruction.
2 Jones Branch Road Erwin, TN 37650 (approx. 40 miles from Blowing Rock)
866-813-5210
Dutch Creek Trails
Horseback riding, wagon rides
3287 Highway 194 South Sugar Grove, NC 28679
828-297-7117
NC Mountain Golf
Boone Golf Club
Enjoy the spectacular scenery and fabulous course layout at this premier golf facility.
433 Fairway Drive, Boone, NC 28607-1833
866-532-4653, 828-264-8760
