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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 Submit your own review 
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!
Reviewed by David on 6/25/2007 The falls can be reached by a much shorter trail that takes only 20 to 25 minutes to hike. To access this way take exit 15 from I-26 and travel towards Barnardville 6 miles. Turn right on Dillingham road for another six mile drive. You will then cross a single lane bridge and enter the Pisgah Forest. The forest service road is car accessible and travels for 8 miles until it dead ends. There is a parking area and the trail leaves from there down to the falls. It is moderate terrain and is a nice scenic walk to the falls. I would recommend this route for time challenged. I have hiked to the trails several times late at night with headlights and flashlights and have some beautiful pictures taken in these conditions. (Don't forget your tripod)
Reviewed by pch on 7/4/2005 We hiked this trail on July 3,2005, coming in from the bottom of the trail off Forest Service 74. There was a washout on that road, so you must park 1.1 mile from the trailhead. Also some guide books say the blaze is white. It is yellow. The trail was in good shape with only one major blowdown. 
Reviewed by Jordan on 5/5/2005 Jonathan: Yeah, I bet a bunch of trees have blown down since the storms of September '04. Too bad, because before that the trail was in the best shape it had been in years. I'm sure it'll get cleaned up - if the Forest Service isn't aware of it, we'll let 'em know.
Reviewed by JONATHAN on 5/4/2005 DID THIS ONE 2 WEEKS AGO. I FOUND THAT MANY TREES HAVE FALLEN ON THE TRAIL. MOST ARE NOT TOO BAD BUT THERE ARE ONE OR TWO SPOTS WHERE YA HAVE TO BLAZE YOUR OWN TRAIL AROUND SOME THICK STUFF. OTHER THAN THAT ITS A NICE HIKE , GREAT EXERCISE , THOUGH YA DONT FEEL IT TILL YA HEAD BACK UP!!!
Reviewed by BEC on 8/20/2004 An alternative and more moderate hike to the above described method (if you have access to a 2nd car): Go to Barnardsville, NC (north of Asheville) and follow Dillingham Road to the dead end. Dillingham Road is paved, but about half way turns to gravel. Everyone should then pile in the other car and drive to the Craggy Gardens Visitor's Center. Follow the hike as suggested above, but continue down the trail past Douglas Falls for about 1 more mile and you will find your first car. This makes a 4 mile hike about 90% downhill. Be careful of the various rocks and tree roots in the trail as triping on one could mean a dangerous tumble. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||