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 Reporter |
Summary: The hike starts on the Craggy Gardens Nature Trail but soon turns right onto the Mountains to Sea Trail. The first part of the trail travels through high-elevation hardwood trees. At the intersection with the Douglas Falls trail, turn left off the MST. Descend on many switchbacks on a rough, sparsely used and maintained trail to a small stream; the trail levels and is a bit smoother. Cross Cascade Falls at 2.1 miles; be careful because it is slick and a long drop below! The trail passes very large, old-growth hardwoods then enters a virgin hemlock forest at Waterfall Creek. Cross the stream; descend on some more switchbacks to campsite and then 70' free-falling Douglas Falls at 3 miles. Return. Trailhead: From Asheville, drive 18 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (milepost 364.5). Park here. The trail starts on the left side of the parking area. (Lat:35.6987 Lon:-82.38032) Trail Guides for Douglas Falls: North Carolina Hiking Trails by Alan DeHart (Appalachian Mountain Club) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, 1-800-PARKWATCH Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by MP on 9/29/2009 Make no mistake, this is a very strenuous hike for most people. The hike back up the mountain is extremely challenging and tiring. Do not start out after about 2pm if you want to make it back before dark. The rocks are sometimes slippery and treacherous. Make sure you hike it with someone else and carry a cell phone and first aid kit. The picnic area near the beginning of the trail was recently closed due to 'dangerous bear activity' so be very careful. The falls (and streams leading up to it) however are well worth the hike if you are properly prepared and take appropriate precautions. Bring a camera. 
Reviewed by HM on 7/14/2009 Great hike if you're looking for a trail with a little challenge and lush greenery. Wear pants and boots, as it can be slippery or muddy and plants and rocks brush your legs often. If you start at Craggy Gardens visitors center, ranger told us it's 8 miles round trip to falls and back. Loved the trail, but after third stream we crossed paths with a bear. Very cool, but also a little disconcerting as he was so close to us.
Reviewed by Morrow on 5/20/2009 My wife and I and my 3 year old Twins made this hike today from the barnardsville side. Although I did carry the twins over a few spots overall it was a pretty easy walk.
Reviewed by Wallace on 4/11/2009 Unfortunately, this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed right now (I think due to a landslide). Just wanted people to know this before taking the hour and a half detour around the ten or so miles that are closed. Right now, the hike is only accessible from Barnardsville. I was not actually able to hike the trail.
Reviewed by Bob on 9/29/2008 The easiest way to see this very beautiful falls is from the trailhead off of Forest Road 74, about 4.8 miles from the turn-off to NC 197 at Barnardsville. The forest road is a lengthy 8.7 miles, but it is well-maintained and quite a nice drive through the Pisgah Forest with several smaller falls and some nice rock faces along the way. There is a parking area at the start of the trailhead, and it is a rough, but easy 0.5 miles to the falls. Our last visit was in late September, and the falls were a little sparse, but still quite spectacular.
Reviewed by Aaron on 11/11/2007 Ok....the easiest way to get to this is to go through Dillingham as stated in a prior review....I had my 3 yr old and boy he was a trooper...he hiked all the way to the falls and all the way out...On the way there was an AWESOME tree down that you could stick you heads in and do a "wheres waldo picture" w/ your head in the holes. My son loved all he could do is just hoot and hollar about the awesome waterfall. Its early November so there was ice all around the base of the waterfall and cicles all over...there are great camp sites all over the place..I had some family up from the Piedmont and they are already planning their next trip w/ an overnight camp. The drive up the FR is a bit of distance but the hike was only 25 min w/ a 3 yr old
Reviewed by Tom on 10/8/2007 My friends and I went yesterday, we drove from the craggy gardens and it was a long drive, I live in Woodfin NC so after leaving we left from Barnardsvile and its only 20 minutes from my home...nice, anyway there was a huge tree root fallen which was never able to secure itself because of the rock face we looked at the roots for a while huge rocks were caught in the roots.The waterfall was great, bring a pair of sandals so you can go under the waterfall, the rocks there are sharp and painful.
Reviewed by Barb on 7/18/2007 Hiked on July 18, 2007. The walk to the Falls takes 2.5 hrs including a short lunch break. It's pretty rocky, but was quite a gorgeous trek: cool and foggy. You actually cross 4 little streams before you get to the falls. The waterflow is not tremendous now, but the hugh cliff that the water comes from is impressive. The hike back to Craggy Gardens is a very tough one. This is for experienced hikers in good condition. Do not try this hike, if you are just starting out. We ran into two groups with sneakers who were at great risk on the rocks. They all thought (some misled by the ranger at Craggy!) the Falls were hours closer than they are. For most hikers this hike will definitely take more than 4 hours. The return trip is a killer! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: North Carolina Hiking, North Carolina Trails, North Carolina Hikes, Buncombe County Hiking, Buncombe County Trails, Buncombe County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
