Waterfall Hero Hikes: Wildcat Falls (W Fk Pigeon River)

Wildcat Falls is a tall waterfall on a tributary of West Fork Pigeon River in Haywood County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.4 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Location: Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.

Trailhead GPS: 35.30808,-82.90904
Waterfall GPS: 35.31401,-82.90435

Directions:

From Brevard, head west on US-64 for about nine miles and turn right on NC-215 north. Drive about 17.9 miles on NC-215 N to a pull-off on the right side of the road. There is a primitive campsite here. The pull-off is about three quarters of a mile north of the parkway. If coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, take NC-215 N and go 0.8 miles to the pull-off on the right.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the pull-off, continue on the old road to a crossing of Bubbling Spring Branch. This is usually an easy rock hop. Continue on the old road, which is Flat Laurel Creek Trail (#346). At 0.2 miles, the trail passes a small drop on an unnamed tributary that is rather scenic.

Continue on the trail for a total of just under three-quarters of a mile to where the trail crosses the tributary on a concrete bridge at the waterfall.