Not for the faint of heart, but Mingo Falls offers a fantastic display for those willing to climb the large flight of stairs to reach its viewing area. No hike here, just lots of steps!
Near Sapphire, NC, Turtleback Falls is an old-favorite of this area. From the park, the waterfall is 2.5 miles, with Rainbow Falls along the way at the 1.5 mile mark. The hike is out and back, so roundtrip is 5 miles.
Silver Run is a hidden gem just south of Cashiers, NC. The name comes from the glittering mica in the sands. The hike is short and nearly flat. Some stone stairs are at the end. It’s not paved, however, and so it’s not recommended for those who aren’t able-bodied.
In between Hwy 64 and the Blue Ridge Parkway lies a Christian retreat called Living Waters with a trail open to the public. This trail offers lots of impact for little effort. When you leave the parking lot, you come to the first set of falls where two rivers converge for a scene difficult to fit into your panoramic camera! A short well-maintained trail follows the river past an unnamed waterfall to Cathedral Falls. It’s name comes from the grand granite outcrop above.