Waterfall Hero Hikes: Black Mountain-South Toe River Area

The Black Mountain/South Toe River Area of Pisgah National Forest is located near Burnsville. This area includes the Black Mountains, the highest mountain range in the eastern US, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the headwaters of South Toe River. The Black Mountains are topped with red spruce and Fraser fir, trees typically found further north. The dark color of these evergreen trees give the Black Mountains their name. The area has picnic spots, hiking trails, equestrian trail and camping opportunities in the shadow of North Carolina's highest mountains.

Map:

Trails:

Devil's Den Nature Trail (#192):

Length: 0.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: Yellow

Devil's Den Nature Trail makes a short loop, starting from Black Mountain Campround through a forest of poplar and oak.

River Loop Trail (#200):

Length: 3.1 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Yellow

River Loop Trail makes a loop along South Toe River. The trail starts from Briar Bottom Group Camp and follows the river upstream. After crossing Camp Creek, the trail crosses the river on a bridge along FR-472. The trail climbs a ridge and follows the river downstream ending at South Toe Trailhead.

Roaring Fork Falls Trail (#195):

Length: 0.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: Blue

Roaring Fork Falls Trail starts from just outside the Busick Work Center and follows Forest Road 5022. The trail passes a couple magazines previously used to store explosives. In about a half mile, the road crosses Roaring Fork on a bridge. The trail splits right just before the bridge and follows a natural surface trail about 0.1 miles to the base of Roaring Fork Falls.

Setrock Creek Falls Trail (#197):

Length: 0.2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: White

Setrock Creek Falls Trail splits from Briar Bottom Bicycle Trail just south of Mount Mitchell Trail. It crosses Briar Bottom Camp Road and ends at the base of Setrock Creek Falls.