• Courthouse Falls
     In the rugged wilds of the Beech Gap area on Courthouse Creek in the Beech Gap area of the Pisgah National Forest is this 45 foot high waterfall plunging into a secluded pool just like in a story book. A short, 0.3 mile trail of medium difficulty leads from the highway. Sorry, it is not wheelchair accessible.
     From Cashiers, follow US-64 east 16 miles to NC-215. Turn right (north) and continue to Balsam Grove and Courthouse Creek. Kiesee Falls is in the same vicinity. Phone: 526-3765.
• Kiesee Falls
     From Cashiers, travel 16 miles east on US-64, to Glouchester Road. Kiesee Falls is on Kiesee Creek in Balsam Grove, near Courthouse Falls.

Brevard

• Connestee Falls
     Just south (about 6 miles) of Brevard on US-276, the twin falls (on your right) are about 110 feet high and are easily reached by a staired walkway. In fact, the walkway, up to a vantage point from which you can view the falls, is very nice, level, brick-paved, and wheel-chair accessible. Connestee Falls are on private land and are accessible free of charge through the generosity of the owner.
     The Cherokees have legends about many of the waterfalls in Cherokee country. In a story, Connestee Falls is named after a Cherokee princess who had been married to an Englishman. When her husband deserted her to return to his own people, she jumped off the falls to her death. For more information, phone: 885-2610.
          (Our thanks to Zzyvko Marjanovitch for this description and directions)
• Rainbow Falls
     Rainbow Falls is for waterfall addicts. It is on private land and only accessible by a poorly marked, narrow, very rocky trail. (The last time we were there there were no signs at all but you can see where other people have walked.) The falls are some 200 feet high and, especially after the spring rains, are really worth the effort. The mist created by the water splashing furiously against all the rocks creates a permanent rainbow - hence the name.
     Take US-64 west from Brevard to NC-281. Turn left (south), another 2 miles and park on the side of the highway just before you cross the bridge (Horse Pasture River: quaint!). (see also Horsepasture Falls, Drift Falls Toxaway Falls, and Whitewater Falls, all in the immediate area.)
           (Our thanks to Max Weber for this description and directions)

Cashiers

• Drift Falls
     From Cashiers follow US-64 10 miles east to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. (see also Horsepasture Falls, Toxaway Falls, Rainbow Falls and Whitewater Falls, all in the immediate area.) For more information, phone: 526-3765.
            (Our thanks to Bobbi O'Brian for this description and directions)
• Horsepasture Falls
     Named after the river, this is one of a series of magnificent waterfalls on the Horsepasture River. (See also Drift Falls, Toxaway Falls, Rainbow Falls and Whitewater Falls.)
     From Cashiers follow US-64 east 10 miles to Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3 miles to the Horsepasture River. For more information, phone: 526-3765.
            (Our thanks to Bobbi O'Brian for this description and directions)
• Toxaway Falls
     From Cashiers, take US-64 east. The highway passes over the falls (about 16 miles east of Cashiers). (see also Horsepasture Falls, Drift Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Whitewater Falls, all in the immediate area.)
            (Our thanks to Bobbi O'Brian for this description and directions)
• Whitewater Falls
     This set of two waterfalls is located 10 miles south of Cashiers NC via NC-281, and 10 miles north of Salem SC via SC-130 in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina. Whitewater Falls is really two waterfalls, the Upper (411 feet) and the Lower Falls (285 feet). This is the highest set of falls east of the Rocky Mountains having a total drop of almost 700 feet. These falls are awesome! There is a well maintained trail from the paved parking lot (complete with rest rooms) and it is an easy walk to the many vantage points. (see also Toxaway Falls,  Horsepasture Falls, Rainbow Falls and Drift Falls, all in the immediate area.) For information on these falls you may call the U.S. Forest Service at 828-526-3765 or the SC Department of Natural Resources at 803-734-3944.
           (Our thanks to Max Weber for this description and directions)

Pisgah Forest (these are along US-276 north of Pisgah Forest)

• Looking Glass Falls
     Looking Glass Falls is actually a 30-foot wide cascade over a sloped 60-foot surface of polished granite (said to be the largest single granite rock in the southern Appalachian Mountains). Looking Glass Falls is on US-276 22 miles south of Waynesville and about 5.5 miles north of SC-280 at Ecusta (just east of Brevard).
     The parking area is well marked on east side of the highway. It's just a short walk to the falls. You will surely want to continue a little further after looking at Looking Glass Falls: there is Moore Cove Falls and then Sliding Rock Falls. A little further and you will be on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information, phone: 877-3265
• Moore Cove Falls
     Just up the road (US-276) from Looking Glass Falls, and just before Sliding Rock Falls, is Moore Cove Falls (on your right as you are heading away from Brevard). This is a well developed recreation area and there are plenty of picnic tables, trash cans and even an occasional rest room.
• Sliding Rock Falls
     On US-276, in Pisgah National Forest, it's one (Looking Glass Falls), two (Moore Cove Falls) and three, Sliding Rock Falls. On your left, is the entrance to the large, paved parking area which accommodates recreational vehicles, - even buses. You will probably hear the screeching of the kids (and even some adults) as they slide down the 150 foot water slide. The river rushes over a slick, granite face at about 11,000 gallons a minute, into a pool just deep enough to be safe. And for safety's sake, there's a life guard or two watching the fun and aiming to keep it that way. For more information, phone: 877-3265.
• Slick Rock Falls
     From its intersection with US-64 and NC-280 at Ecusta (just east of Brevard), follow US-276 north about 5 miles to the Fish Hatchery (on your left). Turn left (this is FR-475) and continue another 1.5 miles to 475-B. Turn right, go another mile and you're at Slick Rock Falls. Just up the road at Cove Creek Campground is a short, 1 mile trail to Cove Creek Falls. And a little further on FR-475 is Daniel Ridge Falls, both of which you will want to see.
• Cove Creek Falls
     From its intersection with US-64 and NC-280 at Ecusta (just east of Brevard), follow US-276 north about 5 miles to the Fish Hatchery (on your left). Turn left (this is FR-475) and proceed to Cove Creek Campground. The falls is about a mile from the parking lot over a fairly decent trail. (Incidentally, Slick Rock Falls is a very short side trip on 475-B which you will pass on your way to Cove Creek Falls. And Daniel Ridge Falls is just beyond Cove Creek Falls.)
• Daniel Ridge Falls
     From its intersection with US-64 and NC-280 at Ecusta (just east of Brevard), follow US-276 north about 5 miles to the Fish Hatchery (on your left). Turn left (this is FR-475) and proceed to Daniel Ridge Falls. The falls are just a couple hundred yards from the parking lot along an old logging road. (Incidentally, you pass right by Slick Rock and Cove Creek Falls on the way.)
• High Falls
     On the Mills River near Pink Beds, 135 feet of drop are probably enough of an inducement to get you to make the 2.5 mile, rugged hike (the trail is very rough and steep). No formal parking area has been constructed; you'll have to find a good spot along the road.
     Take US-276 north from Ecusta into Pisgah National Forest to Yellow Gap Road. There is a sign. For more information, phone: 877-3265.