Waterfall Hero Hikes: High Falls (Southern Nantahala)

High Falls Falls is a spectacular 100-foot waterfall in Beech Creek in Clay County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in Southern Nantahala Wilderness.

Hike Length: 5.0 miles
Estimated Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Southern Nantahala Wilderness (Tusquitee Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (3+)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 34.99875,-83.55669
Waterfall GPS: 35.01479,-83.52786

Directions:

From Franklin, head south on US-441/US-23 for about 20 miles to Clayton, GA. In Clayton, go west on US-76 for 7.5 miles and turn right on Persimmon Road. Go 4.2 miles and turn left on Tallulah River Road. In 3.3 miles, it will become Tate City Road. Continue another 4.4 miles on this road, which becomes Forest Road 56 as it enters Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Less than a mile from the state line, pull off on the left next to a primitive campsite.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the lower trailhead, pick up Beech Creek Trail (#378) across the road from the campsite and follow a ridge steeply up and then back down to Beech Creek. In high water, the crossing is tricky, but we were able to do it dry. Once across, pick up the old mining road and follow Beech Creek upstream. At 0.9 miles from the start, the trail crosses Bull Cove Creek. Bull Cove Falls is just upstream.

From Bull Cove Falls, continue on the trail less than a half-mile to another crossing of Beech Creek. We had to wade when we visited in high water. After the crossing, continue to follow creek upstream. Several unmarked tributaries flow into Beech Creek along the trail. Bear Creek Falls is on one such tributary. This waterfall only exists after periods of heavy rain.

Continuing on the Beech Creek Trail past Bear Creek Falls, the trail will continue through the Beech Creek Gorge to an area where mining had been performed previously. An old rock wall is just off the trail. Right past the wall, the trail turns sharply to the left to begin a series of switchbacks. Instead of going left, stay straight on a small path to this 15-foot waterfall on Beech Creek.

Continue on the main trail up the switchback after the rock wall. In another half-mile or so, there will be another switchback to the left. A path goes straight to High Falls and there was an wooden sign indicating the path. It's about a quarter-mile to the base of the waterfall.