Waterfall Hero Hikes: Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls is a beautiful 60-foot waterfall on Looking Glass Creek in Transylvania County, North Carolina. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States. The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: < 0.1 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Very high
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.29634,-82.76948
Waterfall GPS: 35.29620,-82.76887

Directions:

From Brevard, head east on US-276/US-64 to where they split and turn left to stay on US-276. Drive north for 5.7 miles, approximately a half-mile past the turn for Forest Service Road 475. There is a parking area on the right side of the road. Alternately, if coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, go south on US-276 for 9.4 miles; the parking area will be on the left.

Map:

Hike Description:

The waterfall can be seen from the road and there is a handicapped-accessible viewing platform.

For a closer look, head down the stairs to two additional viewing platforms. Looking Glass Falls is a beautiful and very easy to visit waterfall, one of the most popular in the area. As such, expect a crowd most of the time.