The Waterfalls of Cashiers, NC

Cashiers is host to a plethora of lovely waterfalls.

Rainbow Falls

The Wild and Scenic Horsepasture River courses through the pristine Pisgah National Forest and Gorges State Park and boasts two terrific falls – Rainbow and Turtleback. Rainbow is a gem – at once majestic and subtle. Like its namesake, it relies upon a precise blending of mist and light to produce breathtaking displays of pure color. Compounding the effect is Rainbow’s 125-foot cascade, framed by the deep beauty of Pisgah National Forest. Trails will take you to both the top and bottom of the falls for unforgettable views. Of course, as we’ve said elsewhere in these pages, you need to respect slippery rocks and the force of the mountain streams that feed all of these falls.

Turtleback Falls

While you’re at the top of Rainbow, look upstream for a view of Turtleback Falls. It’s a broad, 20-foot chute. It’s beautiful in its own right, yet something of a letdown juxtaposed with Rainbow. Even though it’s often mentioned as part of the Horsepasture Trio of Waterfalls, we hesitate to include Drift Falls here. Drift is on private property and the owners don’t hesitate to prosecute trespassers. Take those Warning Signs seriously. To get to Gorges State Park, take US 64 east to Sapphire. Turn right onto Highway 281 south. At 8/10ths of a mile, turn left into the entrance to Gorges State Park. After you’ve gone a little over a mile-and-a-half, you’ll come to a parking area. There’s a clearly maked 3-mile round trip hike to the falls. Easy as pie.

King Creek Falls

If you’re in Cashiers, take Highway 107 south for 13 miles and turn right onto Burrell’s Ford Road. Park at the campground parking area and take the trail to King Creek Falls. This beautiful 75-foot cascade looks much taller due to the extreme backward slope of its bed.

Schoolhouse Falls

Perhaps Schoolhouse Falls isn’t the showiest waterfall in the area – it’s only 25-feet high. But there’s something undeniably beguiling about her pool just made for a cool swim and the way you can sneak behind her cascade into a secret compartment. From Cashiers, take US 64 east for two miles to Cedar Creek Road on the left. Continue for two miles to Breedlove Road. Travel on Breedlove for four miles to its end – the parking area for Panthertown Valley. Start down from the parking area for a view from the Salt Rock overlook. Continue the descent on a gravel road to an intersection of three roads (approximately one mile from the parking area). For Schoolhouse Falls, take the center trail nine-tenths of a mile to a small shelter on the Tuckasegee River. Cross the old wood bridge on the right and continue along Greenland Creek. The access trails to Schoolhouse Falls are on either side of a second wood bridge.

Silver Run Falls

Silver Run Falls is one of the jewels of Cashiers. It’s just 4.1 miles from the Crossroads on Highway 107 south. Just look for the gravel pull-off on the left and follow the trail. It leads to a silken spill over a 25-foot ledge into a pool of crystal water. Bring the camera for this!

Whitewater Falls

While we’re on the subject of superlatives, don’t miss Whitewater Falls – the highest cataract east of the Rocky Mountains. From Cashiers, takes US 64 east to Highway 281 in Sapphire. Travel about eight miles to the Whitewater Falls entrance. There’s an easy paved trail that leads to upper and lower falls – a spectacular 411-foot treasure that’ll make your jaw drop upon first sight. Once again, avoid the temptation to wade into the water anywhere along the falls’ course.

Cashiers Sliding Rock Falls

Don’t despair, however – if you really need to splash in the water, plan a trip to Cashiers Sliding Rock Falls. From the Crossroads, head south on NC 107 for 1.9 miles to Whiteside Cove Road. Turn onto the road and follow it to the bridge spanning the Chattooga River. Park at the bridge and follow a short trail to the river. At this stage of its rugged course, the Chattoga pours over 10-foot smooth rock face marked with deep potholes. You can slide, wade, or splash in one of the holes.

The Falls at Lake Glenville

Lake Glenville is fed by a trio of waterfalls – Hurricane Falls, Mill Creek Falls and Norton Falls. You can see all three from the tranquil waters of this pristine lake. From Cashiers, take Highway 107 north for eight miles.

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