Waterfall Hero Hikes: Discovery Falls (Pisgah)

Discovery Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on the northern tributary of Log Hollow Branch in Transylvania County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in the Davidson River area of the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.0 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Davidson River (Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.32642,-82.80194
Waterfall GPS: 35.32744,-82.80904

Directions:

From Brevard, head east on US-276/US-64 to where they split and turn left to stay on US-276. Drive 10.3 miles and turn left on Forest Service Road 475B (Headwaters Road). If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, go south on US-276 for 4.6 miles and turn right on FSR 475B. Drive 1.6 miles on the gravel road to a pull-off in a sharp left-hand curve. There is a large informational Forest Service sign at the pull-off.

Map:

Hike Description:

Hike down the gated Forest Road 5043 for about a quarter-mile to the first bridge on the road. This is the tributary that the waterfall is one. Just before the bridge, there is a faint path heading upstream along the tributary on river-left. It's not an official trail, but pretty easy to follow. Follow this path for about a quarter-mile to the waterfall. It gets a little steep towards the end, but nothing too bad. This tributary can have pretty low water flow so the best time to visit would be right after a good rain.