Waterfall Hero Hikes: Panthertown Valley

Panthertown Valley is a 6,300-acre backcountry area in the Nantahala Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest in Jackson County. Often referred to as the Yosemite of the East, Panthertown Valley lies on the eastern continental divide and contains the headwaters of Tuckesegee River. The valley was logged through the 1930s and was once considered for a resort and the route of the Blue Ridge Parkway. When these didn't come to pass, Duke Energy purchased the land to run transmission lines through the valley. In 1989, the Nature Conservancy purchased all the land in the valley, except Duke's right-of-way, and the land was transferred to Nantahala National Forest. Today, there are 30 miles of trails through the valley, many open to mountain biking and horseback riding. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout and there are more than a dozen waterfalls. As part of the national forest, Panthertown Valley is Game Land, but is designated by the Wildlife Resources Commission as Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary where bear hunting is prohibited.

Directions:

Cold Mountain Gap:

GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869

To reach the Cold Mountain Gap access, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north. In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road. Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road. Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area.

Salt Rock Gap:

GPS: 35.16793,-83.03980

To reach the Salt Rock Gap area, head east on US-64 from Cashiers for about 2 miles and turn left on Cedar Creek Road. Drive 2.3 miles and turn right on Breedlove Road. Drive 3.5 miles to the end at the Salt Rock Gap parking area in Nantahala National Forest.

Map:

Trails:

There are 30 miles of trail throughout Panthertown Valley.

Blackrock Spur Trail (#447A):

Length: 0.2 miles
Use: Hiking only

Blackrock Spur Trail leads from the Salt Rock Gap parking area to Blackrock Trail. Along the way, it passes an rocky, open area with nice views.

Blackrock Trail (#447):

Length: 1.7 miles
Use: Hike, Bike, Horse

Blackrock Trail leads from the Salt Rock Gap parking area to near the summit of Blackrock Mountain and continues to Powerline Road.

Calton's Way (#458):

Length: 0.5 miles
Use: Hiking only

Calton's Way leads from Overlook Trail near Powerline Road to North Road.

Devils Elbow Trail (#448):

Length: 1.4 miles

Use: Hike, Bike, Horse

Devils Elbow Trail splits from Panthertown Valley Trail near Schoolhouse Falls and follows Tuckasegee River downstream to Devils Elbow.

Granny Burrell Falls Trail (#486):

Length: 0.3 miles
Use: Hike only, part is open to bikes and horses

Granny Burrell Trail leads from Deep Gap Trail at Frolictown Falls down to Panthertown Creek. Following Panthertown Creek downstream, the trail passes Granny Burrell Falls before ending at Mac's Gap Trail.

Great Wall Trail (#489):

Length: 1.7 miles
Use: Hike only

Great Wall Trail leads from Granny Burrell Trail near the bridge over Panthertown Creek to Big Green Trail. The shelter is right near the start. It passes along the Great Wall, the rocky cliffs along the western edge of Big Green Mountain.

Greenland Creek Trail (#488):

Length: 1.0 miles

Use: Hiking only

Greenland Creek Trail starts from the Cold Mountain Gap entrance and descends to Green Mountain Creek and follows it upstream. It runs with Mac's Gap Trail for a short ways and ends at Greenland Creek Falls.

Little Green Trail (#485):

Length: 0.9 miles

Use: Hiking only

Little Green Trail splits from Panthertown Valley Trail near Schoolhouse Falls leading over the mountain and ending at Mac's Gap Trail.

Overlook Trail (#491):

Length: 0.5 miles
Use: Hiking only

Overlook Trail leads from Blackrock Trail near the summit of Blackrock Mountain down to the overlook and terminates at Powerline Road. The overlook is a short ways past the summit of Blackrock Mountain. There are no views from up here, but the views of Panthertown Valley from the overlook are great.

Riding Ford Trail (#450):

Length: 1.0 mile

Use: Hike, Bike, Horse

Riding Ford Trails splits from Devils Elbow Trail and crosses Tuckasegee River at Riding Ford and continues to Powerline Road.

Wilderness Falls Trail (#490):

Length: 0.7 miles
Use: Hiking only

Wilderness Falls Trail starts at Panthertown Valley Trail near the Salt Gap access and leads down to Deep Gap Trail at Frolictown Falls. Wilderness Falls is about half way down the trail.

Waterfalls:

There are more than a dozen waterfalls in Panthertown Valley.

Carlton Falls:

Carlton Falls is a waterfall on upper Greenland Creek. An unofficial trail continues up the creek from Greenland Creek Falls.

Elbow Falls:

Elbow Falls is a scenic 10-foot waterfall on Tuckasegee River below Devils Elbow.

Frolictown Falls:

Frolictown Falls is a 15-foot waterfall. It's right at the intersection of Wilderness Falls Trail and Deep Gap Trail. A short scramble path leads down to the base.

Granny Burrell Falls:

Granny Burrell Falls is a 12-foot slide on Panthertown Creek. It's located along the Granny Burrell Falls Trail between Mac's Gap Trail and Great Wall Trail.

Greenland Creek Falls:

Greenland Creek Falls is a beautiful 50-foot waterfall located at the end of Greenland Creek Trail.

Jawbone Falls:

Jawbone Falls is a scenic sliding waterfall on Tuckasegee River.

Mac's Falls:

Mac's Falls is a small but scenic waterfall on Greenland Creek.

Panthertown Creek Falls:

Panthertown Creek Falls is an off-trail waterfall on the upper reaches of Panthertown Creek.

Pothole Falls:

Pothole Falls is a small waterfall on Greenland Creek just downstream of Mac's Falls.

Red Butt Falls:

Red Butt Falls is a sliding waterfall on Tuckasegee River below Devils Elbow.

Riding Ford Falls:

Riding Ford Falls is a sliding waterfall on Tuckasegee River immediately downstream of the ford.

Schoolhouse Falls:

Schoolhouse Falls is a scenic waterfall on Greenland Creek with a big pool and sandy beach.

Wardens Falls:

Wardens Falls is a 30-foot waterfall on Tuckasegee River just downstream from the confluence of Panthertown Creek and Greenland Creek.

Wilderness Falls:

Wilderness Falls is a surprisingly high waterfall located on a tributary of Frolictown Creek. The waterfall is about half way down Wilderness Falls Trail, accessed from the Salt Gap side.