Chasing Cascades: Top Moderate Waterfall Hikes Near Brevard, NC

Brevard, North Carolina calls to those who crave wild water and forest air. Here, the Pisgah National Forest rises rugged, with creeks cutting deep into green shade, producing some of the region’s most captivating waterfall hikes. If you’re searching for routes around three miles, offering a moderate challenge and the spectacle of thundering falls, these trails set the scene.

Moore Cove Falls Trail – Graceful Arches in Pisgah’s Canopy

Moore Cove Falls Trail is a well-loved adventure that rewards you with a 50-foot sheet of water tumbling from a rock ledge. The 2.7-mile roundtrip out-and-back starts from US-276. The first stretch warms the legs but never bites back; roots and rocks test your footing but allow steady progress. The forest canopy—rhododendron and hardwoods—offers dappled shade, and after rain, the creek gurgles beside you.

What sets Moore Cove apart is the chance to walk behind the waterfall, feeling the relentless energy of water. Local knowledge: arrive after a shower for a more dramatic flow, or early morning for tranquil mist and fewer footsteps ahead of you.

Daniel Ridge Loop – A Hidden Waterfall Gem

The Daniel Ridge Loop Trail, in Pisgah’s wild heart, covers 4.0 miles if you take the loop, but the most direct waterfall out-and-back clocks in at about 3.1 miles, perfect for a moderate day. The landscape asserts itself—roots and winding switchbacks, brief climbs demanding respect—but the reward is a roaring 150-foot Daniel Ridge Falls. This is a trail where the river is a constant companion, the sound egging you higher until the falls reveal themselves, shrouded in mountain laurel and mossy timber.

Pro tip: Stick to the lower route along the creek for a gentler approach and save the steeper climb for another day. Local wildlife, like tiny salamanders, frequent this area, one of the South’s amphibian hotspots.

Driving from Asheville: Plan Your Arrival

From Asheville, head south on I-26 and take exit 40 for Asheville Airport. Follow NC-280 West to Brevard, then access US-276 North to reach the key trailheads. Expect about 45 to 50 minutes’ drive, depending on traffic.

Need-to-Know Details

• Footwear: Choose good hiking boots—trails can be muddy and slick.
• Seasonal Flow: Waterfalls roar loudest after spring rainstorms; in summer, cool mist chases heat away.
• Safety: Stay on marked trails. Slick rocks near falls are a risk—water dares you to test your balance but don’t be tempted.

Quick Facts:

• Both trails accept leashed dogs.
• Pisgah National Forest has free access, though some parking lots require small fees.

Brevard’s waterfall hikes offer a three-mile journey through vibrant forest, beside rivers determined to carve their own way—and you, following in their wake, stepping deeper into what it means to move through wild water. @trail@