Waterfall Hero Hikes: Toms Spring and Upper Toms Spring Falls

Upper Toms Spring Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on Toms Spring Branch in Transylvania County, upstream of the more well known Toms Spring Falls. The waterfalls are located in the Davidson River area of the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest near the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

Hike Length: 3.6 mile
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Davidson River (Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking and mountain biking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.28462,-82.82874
Waterfall GPS: 35.28873,-82.82688 (Toms Spring Falls); 35.29536,-82.83460 (Upper Toms Spring Falls)

Directions:

To visit the falls, head north on US-276 from the intersection of US-64 in Pisgah Forest for a little over 5 miles and turn left on Forest Service Road 475 at the sign for Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Drive just under 4 miles to the parking area on the right. The forest road is initially paved, but changes to gravel about a mile before you reach the parking area.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, hike past the gate along FR-5046 crossing Davidson River on a big bridge.

Shortly after the bridge, Daniel Ridge Loop Trail (#105) will split to the left. Stay right and continue on the forest road for less than a half-mile. Right before you reach the falls, the other end of Daniel Ridge Loop Trail ends at the road from the left. Continue on the road a short ways and Toms Spring Falls will be on your left. See Toms Spring Falls for more description of this waterfall.

Continue on FR-5046, which cuts to the left. In just under 2 miles, the trail crosses back over Toms Spring Branch just downstream of Upper Toms Spring Falls. A short path on river right leads to the base.

At 2.1 miles, the road intersects with Daniel Ridge Loop Trail. Turn left here to descend along Toms Spring Branch. The trail passes near the top of the waterfall, but there's no good view. The trail ends back at FR-5046 just south of Toms Spring Falls. Turn right to return to the trailhead.