The Poremsky Family
Blue Ridge Parkway
Pisgah National Forest & The Cradle of Forestry
Transylvania County, NC is known as "The Land of Waterfalls"
There are more than 250 waterfalls of all shapes and sizes in this region of North Carolina.
Starting at the Pisgah NF ranger station near Bevard, NC and working up US Highway 276 towards the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are several nice hiking trails and waterfalls. The following represents only what we found one Sunday afternoon.
There are several small streams that cross the Lower Avery Trail with small waterfalls.
This small waterfall is difficult to
get down to, but has a very nice knee-deep pool.
Lower Avery Creek Trail follows the creek bed for the most part. Turn off Rt. 276 at the horse stable sign unto the forest road. Approx. 1/2 mile past the stables is a trail leading down to the creek on the right. There is a second trailhead just up the road, it is Upper Avery Trail and joins Lower Avery Trail at the horse ford on Avery Creek. There are several waterfalls along the Lower trail and a large cascade about a mile upstream from the horse ford (Upper trail). It is difficult to see from the trail and difficult to get down to the stream bed to see.
Both Upper and Lower Avery Creek Trails are fairly level and easy, once you get started.
Approx. 3 1/2 miles from the ranger station is Slick Rock Falls. Turn unto forest road 475, then 475B. Approx. 1 mile to the trailhead, a short walk to the falls.
Looking Glass Falls, one of the most photographed falls in NC and the
most accessible. The first picture was taken from the road. A short path leads down to the
stream bed, a very popular place on hot days. 65 feet high, 30 feet wide.
This is about 4 miles past the ranger station.
Next stop was Moores Cove Falls, 1 mile
north of Looking Glass Falls. This is a 50 foot falls, 3/4 mile off the road. It doesn't
have a lot of water going over it, about like a nice shower. There is a cave behind/under
it.
Also in the area is Sliding Rock. We didn't have time to stop (and it was very crowded when we were there), but for $3 you can slide down a natural water slide. Said to be the fastest 60 foot slide
Area Day Trips
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BRP Navigation menu
Maps:
North of Boone 
Boone to Asheville
Asheville to the Smoky Mountains
Map scans are from National Park Service map, free at Visitor's Centers.
Joe W Getsinger's Blue Ridge Parkway Links
Blue Ridge Parkway - NC Natural
Flynn's BRP/Skyline Drive ride
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Recommended travel guides include a 2-part guide by William Lord, "Blue Ridge Parkway Guide". Part 1 coves the northern part, stopping near Boone, NC. Part 2 covers Boone south to the Smokey's. (About $6.00 each.)