Waterfall Hero Hikes: Gragg Prong Falls (Wilson Creek)

Gragg Prong Falls is a 30-foot sliding waterfall on its namesake in Avery County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 3.0 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Wilson Creek (Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery. There are three water crossings to reach the waterfalls that will likely require wading. It is very difficult to get to the base of Gragg Prong Falls.
Trailhead GPS: 36.03162,-81.80329
Waterfall GPS: 36.02026, -81.79306

Directions:

From Linville, head east out of town on Roseboro Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 308.2. Cross the parkway after which the road becomes gravel and is narrow, steep and winding. After about 4 miles, the road becomes paved for about 0.5 miles in the small community of Roseboro, then goes back to gravel and becomes FR-981 as it enters the forest. Go another 0.3 miles on FR-981 to a parking area on the right just past the bridge over Gragg Prong.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, cross back over the bridge and go left to pick up Lost Cove Trail (#262), which is also part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (#440). The trail follows Gragg Prong downstream on river right. In about a half-mile, cross the creek to river left. At 0.7 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses a small tributary and there is a path to Upper Gragg Prong Falls. Between 1 and 1.1 miles, there are two more water crossing. The trail passes Middle Gragg Prong Falls at 1.2 miles and then passes by the Gragg Prong Falls at 1.5 miles before the trail starts to head up.