Soco Falls (Cherokee)

Soco Falls is a double waterfall on Soco Creek and a tributary in Jackson County, North Carolina.  The waterfall is located in Qualla Boundary.

Hike Length: 0.2 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Location: Qualla Boundary
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.  The path to the base is very steep and slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.49286,-83.16969
Waterfall GPS: 35.49246,-83.16953

Directions:

From Cherokee, head north on US-19 for about 10 miles and there will be a pull-off on the right just before a curve to the left.  It is about 1.5 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Map:

Hike Description:

The trail begins at the break in the guard rail and leads down to a wooden overlook with views of the falls. You can't really see both waterfalls from here.

To get to the base, climb down the steep path before the overlook. The last time I was here, there were ropes to assist with the descent.

 It's a tricky scramble down, but you'll have good views of both the falls.

It's easy to visit and along a main highway, so there's usually a crowd.

Here's a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

03-Jul-2023: Another MST Hike

03-Jan-2022: Elk in the Snow

10-Oct-2015: Torrential Rain at Graveyard Fields

26-Oct-2014: Soco and Catawba Falls