Waterfall Hero Hikes: Stairway Falls (Horsepasture)

Stairway Falls is a tiered waterfall on Horsepasture River in Transylvania County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. However, the only legal access to the waterfall is through Gorges State Park.

Hike Length: 2.5 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Horsepasture River (Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Only if on a ≤ 6 foot leash
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.08947,-82.95181
Waterfall GPS: 35.08556,-82.95654

Directions:

To visit the falls, head west from Brevard on US-64 for about 18 miles, passing Lake Toxaway, and turn left on NC-281. In just under a mile, turn left into Grassy Ridge section of Gorges State Park and drive through to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, follow the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail to an intersection and turn right to stay on the trail. In about 3/4 of a mile, the trail leaves the state park enters Pisgah National Forest. Right after the boundary, the main trail bears to the right. An unofficial path goes left/straight and follows a ridge down to Horsepasture River near the top of the falls. Go left and follow the path down to the base of the waterfall. In high water, the waterfall looks like stairs.