At a Glance Waterfall Guide

Highlands

Bridal Veil Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 2.3 miles west on US 64. Waterfall GPS: N35.07180

W-83.22910

Difficulty: You can park your car in a little parking area and walk 50 feet.

Dry Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 3.15 miles west on US 64 to a parking area on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.06884 W-83.23869

Difficulty: There are lots of steps you must go down to get behind Dry Falls.

Bust Your Butt Falls

From NC 106 in Highlands, drive 6.35 miles west on US 64 to the pullout on the left. Waterfall GPS: N35.09268 W-83.26573

Difficulty: Don’t stop on the road itself!

Glen Falls

From the junction of US 64 and NC 106 in Highlands, drive 1.75 miles south on NC 106 and bear left at the sign for Glen Falls. Take Glen Falls Road, not Holt Road. Drive 1.05 miles to the parking area. Waterfall GPS: N35.03128 W-83.23829

Difficulty: There’s some climbing involved here.

Upper Middle Creek Falls

Mill Shoals Falls

The twin streams leading to Mill Shoals Falls give this hidden jewel its own charm, setting the stage for the seductive beauty of nearby Bird Rock Falls.

About 28 miles east of Cashiers, you’ll find Mill Shoals Falls.

Mill Shoals is unique as it consists of two waterfalls. This is where Shoal Creek and the north fork of the French Broad River meet side by side and drop 15 feet into the river below. At the base of the falls, stands an old red mill that is part of the Living Waters Ministry. What Mill Shoals lacks in size it makes up for in beauty. As a bonus, you can also visit the nearby Bird Rock Falls. As you leave Mill Shoals you will see an obvious trail to the right. Walk down the trail for about five minutes to Bird Rock.

Along the way, you will see a few cascades. At the base of the trail is a large sloping rock that you may be tempted to venture out upon. Caution is advised as it is typically slippery and can be dangerous, particularly when the water is high and moving rapidly.

Directions

From Cashiers, drive about 20 miles east to Highway 215. Turn left and drive 7.7 miles to Living Waters Ministries on the left. Please do not park in their parking lot. Limited parking is available along the road. A short path, beginning at the road on the south side of buildings, will lead you to the waterfalls.

by Ed and Cindy Boos

From the intersection of NC 106 and US 64, follow NC 106 South for 9.3 miles. Exactly 1 mile before you reach the Georgia state line, and about 0.3 miles after NC 106 crosses Middle Creek, a yellow School Bus Stop sign will be on the right. Park on the right side of the road right at the sign. Waterfall GPS: N35.00714 W-83.32916

Difficulty: The four-tenths of a mile hike is not strenuous but it can be confusing.

Cashiers

Silver Run Falls

From US 64 in Cashiers, head south on NC 107 from 4.05 miles – there’s a pullout area on the left. Waterfall GPS N35.06599 W-83.06558

Difficulty: No difficulty.

Whitewater Falls

From US 64 west of Lake Toxaway, take NC 281 for 8.5 miles and turn left at the sign for Whitewater Falls into a parking area.

Difficulty: Not strenuous, though the paved path is a bit uneven.

Cashiers Sliding Rock

Cashiers Sliding Rock, a million miles from the cares of the 21st century, is easy to get to. From the Cashiers Crossroads, travel south on NC 107 to Whiteside Cove Road. Head down the road for 2.6 miles to where the road crosses the Chattooga River and pull over just across the bridge.

Difficulty: A piece of cake.

Spoonauger Falls

From Cashiers, travel on NC 107 8.2 miles. The name changes to SC 107 – travel for 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Burrells Ford Road. Drive approximately 2.0 miles to the Chattooga Trail parking area on the left (look for the Forest Service Bulletin Board) Hike north on the Chattooga Trail, which roughly parallels the Chattooga River for 0.25 mile, then cross Spoonauger Creek. Immediately on the right will be a side trail.

Difficulty: There’s nothing tricky.

Schoolhouse Falls

From US 64, take NC 281 North for 0.85 mile and bear left on Cold Mountain Road. Stay on the road. When it becomes unpaved, travel about 0.1 mile. Take the road on the right and travel for 0.1 mile to a parking area. Take the trail to the right of the information kiosk. At the intersection, proceed straight on Panthertown Valley Trail. Turn left onto Little Green Trail. Schoolhouse Falls is about 0.15 mile ahead. Waterfall GPS N35.16330 W-83.00674

Difficulty: The hike isn’t challenging.