Hike Length: 3.4 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 (2)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery. Don't swim at the waterfall when the water level is high and do not go in the water between Turtleback and Rainbow Falls.
Trailhead GPS: 35.08947,-82.95181
Waterfall GPS: 35.09256,-82.96620
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. A side trail here goes to Stairway Falls. At 1.4, the trail gets a little steeper as it heads up to Rainbow Falls. A short path leads down to the river at Hidden Falls. In 1.5 miles from the trailhead, Rainbow Falls is visible from the trail. Continue another 0.2 miles to Turtleback Falls.
The waterfall is scenic and you can get nice photos from different angles.
In warm weather, it's possible to slide off the waterfall into the deep pool below. Here's a video.
Blog Entries:
12-Oct-2019: Gorgeous Gorges
28-Jun-2015: Turtleback Falls
22-Oct-2014: Back to Brevard
09-Mar-2013: Waterfalls along Horsepasture
07-Jul-2012: Horsepasture & Thompson Waterfalls
06-Aug-2011: Big Brevard 2011
NC State Parks website: https://www.ncparks.gov/gorges-state-park
US Forest Service website for Rainbow Falls Trail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=48438
External Links:
NC State Parks website: https://www.ncparks.gov/gorges-state-park
US Forest Service website for Rainbow Falls Trail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=48438
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