Waterfall Hero Hikes: Horseshoe Falls (Tanasee Creek Gorge)

Horseshoe Falls is an 80-foot waterfall on a tributary of Tanasee Creek in Jackson County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest.

Hike Length: 2.5 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, but the path is not dog friendly.
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: There is no trail to the waterfall, it's a steep bushwhack from the road. The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.22208,-82.97241
Waterfall GPS: 35.23081,-82.96668

Directions:

To visit the falls, head north on NC-281 from Lake Toxaway for about 11 miles and turn right on Tanasee Creek Road. The turn is right after the bridge over Tanasee Creek where it starts to form Tanasee Creek Lake. Go 1 mile and turn left/straight onto Wolf Mountain Road. The pull-off will be on the right in 0.4 miles. Note that Wolf Mountain Road becomes 4WD shortly after the pull-off.

Map:

Hike Description:

An old logging road starts from the end of the parking area and follows Tanasee Creek upstream high above the creek. In just over a half-mile you'll come to an open section after crossing a small creek. Go right to stay on National Forest property. Continue another 3/4 of a mile and you'll come to another creek crossing.

Horseshoe Falls is upstream on this creek. Cross the creek and bushwhack up the river-left side. You'll have to maneuver around some cliffs to come out at the side of the waterfall.