Hike Length: 2.8 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Horsepasture River (Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Only if on a ≤ 6 foot leash
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.08947,-82.95181
Waterfall GPS: 35.08996, -82.96348
Directions:
To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about 18 miles, passing Lake Toxaway, and turn left on NC-281. In just under a mile, turn left into Grassy Ridge section of Gorges State Park and drive through to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking.
Map:
Hike Description:
From the parking area, follow the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail to an intersection and turn right to stay on the trail. In about 3/4 of a mile, the trail leaves the state park enters Pisgah National Forest. A side trail here goes to Stairway Falls. At 1.4, the trail gets a little steeper as it heads up to Rainbow Falls. Look for a scramble path just before Rainbow Falls to the left that leads down to the river just below Hidden Falls. It's a small waterfall but a nice swimhole and you can swim behind the falls.
External Links:
NC State Parks website: https://www.ncparks.gov/gorges-state-park
US Forest Service website for Rainbow Falls Trail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=48438
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