Its the Location!

Best for finding Water Falls

It’s nice to find a prize at the end of a long hike, and water falls are always a good reward! We’ve done these with our 10 and 12 year old girls so you don’t need to be a serious hiker.

Glen Burney Trail (Blowing Rock - 10 mins away)

Glen Burney Trail (Easy/Moderate).  Right in the heart of Blowing Rock, waterfalls at the end. From Main Street turn onto Laurel Lane and you’ll see the trailhead and parking lot on the left side of the street, across from the lake at Broyhill Park. This is really the tale of two trails. The first portion is really flat and easy and you’ll reach the first of three waterfalls. Then you meander down the along the side of the falls and the trail turns more moderate the further you go. It’s a great hike but just be prepared that you have to come back up the waterfall!

Directions, photos and reviews: Glen Burney Trail

Cascade Falls (just East of Boone off of Blue Ridge Parkway - 25 mins)

Cascades Falls Trail (Easy) is a 0.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Deep Gap, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and running and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Directions, photos and reviews: Cascade Falls Trail

Crab Orchard Falls (Valle Crucis - 20 mins away)

We really liked Crab Orchard Falls, however we have to warn you that it could get muddy and slippery after a rainstorm. We went after three days of constant rain and got the full slop (plenty of slips, but no falls - except the one we were searching for!) Its a 1.5 mostly uphill trail till almost the end and then you descend into a valley where you can hear and see the rushing water. Since it had rained a lot, we benefited in that regard. Nice area for getting close and taking great pictures. Bonus is that its just about a mile from Mast General Store, so you can get your shopping in and a little exercise in the same afternoon!

Directions, photos and reviews: Crab Orchard Falls

Hebron Falls (Julian Price Park/Blue Ridge Parkway - 10/15 mins away)

Hebron Falls is a nice hike that is mostly flat and easily accessible. Start at the picnic area for Julian Price Park so lots of parking. Its a high traffic trail, and there are some really nice places to take a dip in the water on a hot summer day. While the rapids and boulders make for a beautiful scene and plenty of great spots to have lunch, if you are looking for high drop in water over an impressive falls, it might not be what you expect. Overall its an easy hike with just a few spots where you’re stepping over a few rocks or roots.

Directions, photos and reviews: Hebron Falls

Otter Falls (Seven Devils - 30 mins away)

This a great little trail (just over a mile loop) with a bit of a decline then back up, but should be good for most anyone. It’s easy to moderate - good for kids. Nice reward at the end with the falls.

Seven Devils on the way to Banner Elk, Next to Hawksnest Zip line. You can easily get in a day of tubing or zip lining and see a waterfall as well.

Directions, photos and reviews: Otter Falls

LINVILLE FALLS (45 MINS away)

The only reason that Linville Falls isn’t on the top of the list is the distance from the cabin. There are several great hike, some more of the moderate/strenuous variety and some not so difficult, but all in all you can spend a few good hours and get great views from several locations.

Trails near the Linville Falls Visitor Center lead to the breathtaking three-tiered Linville Falls over the Linville Gorge via both strenuous and moderate hikes. The steep-walled Gorge is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.”

Directions, photos and reviews: Linville Falls

SILVERVALE FALLS (Just south of Blowing Rock - 15/20 mins away)

There are lots of waterfalls in the area, but one that is really easy to get to (best bang for your buck) where you can literally park your car next to the base of the falls is Sivervale Falls, just South of Blowing Rock. Others on the list are good too, but this one is great for little ones or those who maybe can’t make it down a long trail to see such beautiful sites like this normally deep into the wooded areas.

Directions: Take 321 South of the Green Park Inn for 6 miles. Turn right onto Waterfalls Rd, 1.7 mi on the left.

More water falls around Blowing Rock

More info: Other Water Falls in and Around Blowing Rock