Waterfall Hero Hikes: Upper Cedar Rock Falls (Pisgah)

Upper Cedar Rock Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on Cedar Rock Creek in Transylvania County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in Pisgah National Forest near Davidson River.

Hike Length: 1.6 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Davidson River (Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Waterfalls (1+)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.28451,-82.79163
Waterfall GPS: 35.27761,-82.80006

Directions:

From Brevard, head east on US-276/US-64 to where they split and turn left to stay on US-276. Drive north for 5.3 miles and turn left on Forest Road 475 towards Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Go 1.4 miles and turn left into the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and Fish Hatchery to park.

Map:

Hike Description:

Across the parking lot, take the bridge over Cedar Rock Creek and turn right onto Cat Gap Loop Trail (#120). In about 1/4 mile, the trail crosses the creek, which should be easy to rock hop unless the water level is very high. Once across the trail goes up a ridge to follow the creek above. At 0.7 miles, pass a spur trail to Cedar Rock Falls. Continue on the main trail another 0.1 miles to a side path on the left that leads down to a campsite. The waterfall is just upstream of the campsite.