Rainbow Falls Nc
From the parkway in gatlinburg turn at traffic light 8 and follow historic nature trail into great smoky mountains national park.
Rainbow falls nc. Rainbow falls and turtleback falls trail is a 39 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near sapphire north carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. When we visited rainbow falls we were staying in brevard north carolina so well describe the directions from there. The falls is located on the horsepasture river. Wish we had done easy trail.
Worth the hike. The hike departs from the grassy ridge trailhead in gorges state park near cashiers nc view maps and driving directionsgorges state park is one of the newest in north carolinas state park system and with an annual rainfall of over 80 inches the park classifies as a temperate rain forest. Rainbow falls trail in the roaring fork area. The rainbow falls trail continues for approximately 4 miles beyond the falls to the summit of mount le conte.
Tall waterfall is impressive especially after rainy weather that swells the horsepasture river. Once the trail leaves gorges state park and enters the national forest camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. It is on nantahala national forest land just outside gorges state park. So from brevard we went southwest on hwy 64 rosman hwy about 17 miles or so to the southbound hwy 281 junction on the left.
This popular trail is jointly maintained by gorges state park and the pisgah ranger district. Interesting shop to visit and info about hikes waterfalls make sure you check the level of the hikes as the rainbow falls was too strenuous for us. Rainbow falls is a waterfall in western north carolina located near brevard. The trail is primarily used for hiking nature trips and mountain biking and is accessible year round.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Follow the marked path upstream to the base of rainbow falls. The marked trail ends at rainbow falls however hikers can continue upstream about 14 mile to turtleback falls. The trail accesses the horse pasture river and follows it upstream.
The best feature of rainbow falls is the ability for visitors to experience the falls from the front bottom side and top. Rainbow falls gets its name from the mist thats generated often creates a rainbow effect when the sun is bright. Turning left to go south on hwy 281 we then took the 281 for just under a mile where there was a signposted turnoff for gorges state park on the. A proposal to route the flow of the river around the falls in the mid 1980s for a hydroelectric power plant was thwarted by public.
Rainbow falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the blue ridge mountains of north carolina. Named for the rainbow that sometimes appears from the abundant mist this beauty is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the state and is easily reached via a 15 mile hike though a beautiful north carolina forest that starts in gorges state park and ends up in the.