11 AMAZING Hikes near Brevard, NC

Visit the “Land of the Waterfalls” nestled amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This area has hundreds of hikes to explore from casual strolls through lush forests to climbs up tall crags. It’s the perfect place to go when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll love all the best hikes near Brevard, NC!

My parents have a place 30 minutes from Brevard and an hour from Asheville, NC. I have spent many months in this serene area, visiting the various forests, mountains, and falls. Every time I’m there, I try to find a new trail to explore. I have collected my favorites in this comprehensive list below.

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11 Best Hikes Near Brevard

#1 Panthertown Valley with Schoolhouse Falls

This trail is often referred to as the “Yosemite of the East.” As you walk along the trail you’ll see a beautiful waterfall, an impressive overlook, and plenty of wild flowers. If you are a backpacker then you’ll want to go out there and camp at one of the many dispersed sites! I’ve done this hike a couple times and I would do it again. If it has rained recently there might be a lot of muddy paths and the rocks will be slippery so watch out!

Fast Facts:

• Length: 7.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 918 Feet
• Trail Type: Loop

#2 Greenland Creek Trail

Walk one of my favorite trails in the area! I love it, because it’s short and sweet. Stroll one mile into the woods and you’ll get to a gushing waterfall. You can climb up the rocks and even get behind the falls if you dare. It’s a great hike to take after work or for a little bit of exercise.

Fast Facts:

• Length: 2.2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 246 Feet
• Trail Type: Loop

#3 Rainbow Falls

Explore one of the more popular trails in the area. This hike features not one, but two lush waterfalls. Along the way there is a bit of a steep climb and you will have to walk across a couple creeks. At the end, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful falls and in the warmer months you can even take a dip in the water!

Fast Facts:

• Length: 3.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 770 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

#4 Upper Whitewater Falls

One of most stunning waterfalls in the area is located on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. This is the highest waterfall east of the Rockys! The Upper trail is on the North Carolina side and has two different viewpoints of the falls. The hike itself is pretty easy and you can choose to either go up the stairs or take the looped trail back. It’s definitely worth a visit. You can’t make a list of best hikes outside Brevard, NC without including this one. 

Fast Facts:

• Length: 1.7 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 570 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

#5 Whiteside Mountain

I usually prefer longer hikes, but this is one of my all-time favorites in the area. There are two choices to get to the top, you can either take a wide paved road or a steeper, rocky path. I usually take the paved road up and then take the steep one down. Once you get to the top, you will be stunned by the panoramic views that seem to go on forever.

It can get a little scary for people who have a fear of heights as you walk along the cliff’s edge, but there are railings to make sure that you stay away from the edge. From the top you can see three states at once: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. There are multiple viewpoints where you can stop to rest on the rocks and take in the insane views. 

Fast Facts:

• Length: 1.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 511 Feet
• Trail Type: Loop

#6 Bridal Veil and Dry Falls

If you want to see two waterfalls near each other, then add these waterfalls to your list! They’re only 1 mile away from each other and you can walk behind both of them. After a longer hike to Bridal Veil, you can easily add the short walk to Dry Falls. Despite the name, Dry Falls is incredibly voluminous in the wet season and is my dad’s favorite waterfall in the area (he’s a waterfall fanatic). Also, Hunger Games was filmed at Bridal Veil Falls! You won’t want to miss a visit to either of these spots!

#7 Triple Falls

I have such fond memories of this trail, because I went with a bunch of my cousins for a girl’s day. We went on a rainy day and we still were blown away by the three separate falls that we saw. This trail is named for the last falls, which is made up of three different falls. However, it also features three waterfalls: Hooker, High, and Triple Falls, which gives the trail a double meaning. My cousins were of varying ages and we all made it easily through the wide pathways!

Fast Facts:

• Length: 2.9 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation: 239 Feet
• Trail Type: Loop

#8 Looking Glass Rock

On your way to this trail, make sure to stop at the short Looking Glass Falls trail. These falls can get very crowded, but they are also voluminous and exquisite. Unlike the falls, this hike is often pretty empty, so you can have lots of the trail to yourself. Looking Glass Rock is a bit of a hike up, but the views are wonderful at the top. It can get very wet on this trail, so wear hiking boots if you have them!

Fast Facts:

• Length: 6.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 1,748 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

#9 Cat Gap Loop to John Rock

If you are sick of waterfalls, then head to John Rock for amazing panoramic views! The path is really peaceful as it makes its way through the forest, along a river, and past some cute falls. If you want to go to the John Rock overlook, then you have to make sure to turn off of the Cat Gap loop trail. The rock itself is off to the side of the trail and there are multiple paths that will lead you to the rock. There is plenty of room on the rock to sit and enjoy a snack while you look out at the valley below. 

Fast Facts:

• Length: 5.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 1,085 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

#10 Black Balsam Knob

Visit one of the most popular spots in this area for wonderful panoramic landscape views! The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 470 miles through the gorgeous Appalachian mountains and makes its way near Lake Toxaway. Black Balsam Knob is a trail that is close to Pisgah National Forest and Brevard, North Carolina. You will hike over stunning meadows and rocks until you get to the knob itself.

We saw many tents set up where people were camping alongside the trail. At the knob there are tremendous views of the valleys below and you have the option to continue hiking further. We were hiking with our parents, so we stopped to turn around but we really loved the hike. 

Fast Facts:

• Length: 1.5 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 347 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

#11 Graveyard Fields

Add one last waterfall to your hiking list! Take this trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway to a lovely waterfall. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see the area covered in fall foliage or spring wildflowers. I recommend going to the lower part of the falls at this trail, because the upper falls path can be tricky and muddy. My parents recently did this hike and were able to snack on blueberries and blackberries that were in the meadow. It’s the perfect hike to take for a short trip!

Fast Facts:

• Length: 2.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation: 305 Feet
• Trail Type: Out & Back

Final Thoughts

I have really fallen in love with the “Land of the Waterfalls” and I know that you will too. There are so many amazing hikes and things to see, so get out there and start exploring!

Was this list of the best hikes near Brevard helpful? Let me know which one you do in the comments and pin for later!