Graveyard Fields Hike

A unique loop trail winds through this high-elevation, flat valley. Two spurs lead to some of the most photographed and enjoyed waterfalls in the state! You'll pass through open areas, stands of Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron, and young northern hardwood forests. Between the falls is a relaxing, lazy section of stream. This is a truly unique and highly recommended hike!

At A Glance

Moderate 3.2 mi round-trip

Difficulty Rating: 4.31
Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
Climb: Hilly
Lowest Elevation: 4960 ft
Highest Elevation: 5320 ft
Climb Total: 450 ft
Configuration: Loop, out-and-back extension
Starting Point: Graveyard Fields Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 418

Trails Used: Graveyard Fields Loop

Hike Start Location

Directions

From Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway South past Mount Pisgah. The Graveyard Fields overlook is at milepost 418; park here. The trail starts at the right side of the large map.

Details

Hike Description

Note: The Graveyard Fields area trails underwent significant reroute during the summer of 2005 and have been updated since then, but the erosion problem continues. Another major project was completed at the Parkway overlook 2014, including more parking and pit toilets. No water is available.

Cascade above Second Falls
Cascade above Second Falls

This hike starts at one of the most popular overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visit on a summer weekend, and you will likely find it overflowing - cars parked up and down the parkway and on every patch of grass big enough to fit four tires. There is good reason for this; if you can't visit on a less popular day, don't let the crowds deter you and try to squeeze into a spot anyway. This is a truly spectacular area, and you will never forget a hike here!

Begin the hike by descending the stairs on the right side of the parking area. The path below the stairs down to the stream is actually paved due the high volume of traffic it receives, and it travels through a dense rhododendron thicket. Their blooms will carpet the trail after a good wind storm in early June. At the end of the pavement, a nice new wooden staircase with a couple of viewing platforms has been built. It descends to a bridge over the Yellowstone Prong.

This bridge spans an unbelievably scenic stretch of Yellowstone Prong. The crystal-clear water flows across solid bedrock, through various slots, potholes, pools, and cascades. The rock is colorful; bands and veins swirl through the smooth gray slabs. Enormous boulders sit in the middle of the stream bed. In fact, the bridge actually goes from one bank, to a big boulder, and then to the opposite bank. Just downstream, a side tributary spills out of a crack in the rock, over a small waterfall, and into a pool in the main stream.

I'd almost be willing to wager that this little area gets more rock hoppers than any other in the state! It's a great spot for just cooling off and taking photos, but keep in mind that you're just above the brink of Second Falls. It's mostly level and not particularly dangerous, but still - be VERY careful if you decide to get in the water. The rocks can be extremely slippery.

Cross the bridge; a new staircase structure heads uphill to the right and almost immediately splits. Bear right onto the spur trail to Second Falls (incorrectly signed as "Lower Falls", presumably just because it's not Upper Falls).

The trail crosses the tributary on a bridge in a thin forest of short Northern hardwood trees with firs and grassy patches in between. You'll reach another intersection - this time with a spur that connects to the Mountains to Sea Trail. Again, bear right onto a new section of trail.

You'll soon descend to the base of the falls on dozens of steep, elaborate wooden steps. At the bottom is a viewing platform with some interpretive signs. You can also head out onto the boulders below the plunge pool at the base of the falls or perhaps take a dip in the deep, cold, crystal-clear pool itself.

The combination of boulders to hang out on, the beautiful waterfall spilling into the pool and crystal-clear water, along with easy access from the parking area make it hard to imagine a more ideal swimming hole. Not surprisingly, this is probably one of the most popular swimming holes in the mountains as well, so come during the week if you don't want to wait in line.

Return via the same steps and trail to the first intersection just past the main bridge to continue the hike. From here, the main trail makes a sharp right (signed "Upper Falls") and starts uphill. This begins the loop portion of the hike.

The trail heads uphill into a young but growing forest. It is deeply and alarmingly eroded in places despite only being built in 2005, and the bottom is lined with deep, slippery mud (with skirt-paths around it in places). Unfortunately, it's in terrible condition - the Forest Service really needs to do something about it here. Just make your way through as best you can.

The trail descends a bit and passes a split-rail fence and enters the "fields" for which this area was named, skirting the edge a flat, wetland area near the stream. Grasses, small trees, and heath shrubs - typically blueberries, rhododendron, and mountain laurel - cover the valley bottom and the hillsides.

This area is slowly transitioning back into a forest with taller shrubs and small trees starting to dominate more in recent years; however, there are still open areas, blueberry shrub patches, and grassy openings in places. The trail travels through vast areas of these wild blueberries, making for a feast when the berries ripen in late August.

Blueberries in Graveyard Fields
Blueberries in Graveyard Fields

The muddy and eroded nature of the trail continues, though some long boardwalk structures cross the particularly wet areas and small streams. Above you looms Black Balsam Mountain and to the right, Graveyard Ridge. The trail is quite easy at this point except perhaps navigating around the muddy areas.

If you have kids, count with them how many small brooks and tumbling tributaries you cross as you go. Notice how the trees - mostly oaks, maples, black cherries, and a few scattered spruces - are having a hard time growing back in this area, but are making steady progress. In places near streams, the ground is covered in a thick mat of Galax. Look for the patches of large, round, shiny leaves just a few inches off the ground.

There are three main intersections you should look out for - all of which SHOULD be signed (if not vandalized).

The first is an unsigned spur on the left, which leads down through a clay canyon to the Yellowstone Prong and a former campsite (camping is no longer allowed in the valley). Keep right here.

Just a few feet past this intersection, you reach an intersection with the Graveyard Ridge Connector, leading away uphill to the right. Turn left here.

At the next intersection, the loop portion of the trail turns left while the spur to Upper Falls continues straight ahead. You'll take that trail later to complete the loop; for now, continue straight on to Upper Falls.

A short section of new trail re-joins the old trail again. From here to the falls, much work has been done in terms of installing drainage and rock steps. But portions are far beyond repair - at one point, the trail has been completely swallowed by a meandering side stream. Unfortunately, getting around this section without getting completely soaked and muddy was tricky last time I was here, but at least the path is obvious.

Upper Falls in Graveyard Fields
Upper Falls in Graveyard Fields

The trail ascends into some more fields and taller trees after crossing the aforementioned side stream. Near the falls, the trail goes right and shoots straight up between some boulders. There is usually a sign here proclaiming the way to the upper falls.

As you come out below the main portion of the falls, it becomes a rock-hopping experience where you'll want to be very careful. You'll have to cross the creek to get a good view of the falls.

On dry days, you can walk up the sloping rock towards the left side of the base of the falls if you're careful, but if it is wet, forget about it. Do not attempt to reach the top of the falls.

When you're done enjoying Upper Falls, return to the loop down the same path. When you get back to the split for the loop, take a right to head back toward the parking lot.

The trail goes through a former campsite (now closed). A small tributary meanders across the trail here, which you'll cross on a small footbridge. The trail then crosses the much larger Yellowstone Prong on a large, sturdy new bridge built in 2008.

This crossing used to be on a bouncy log back in the day; a flimsy footbridge existed after that into the early 2000's. Both were washed away in floods. The new bridge is so sturdy, in fact, that it looks like it could carry a county road rather than a trail! But this one should last decades, at least.

New Bridge over Yellowstone Prong
New Bridge over Yellowstone Prong

The trail will start climbing after you cross the creek under a thicket of rhododendron and mountain laurel. It's not too steep, but it's devastatingly eroded - in fact, the bridge abutment is now fully exposed and you'll have to jump down a couple of feet to get off it and back onto the trail. And though the trail originally went through a couple of switchbacks when it was first built, short-cutters have ensured that better-designed route was abandoned. People now just follow the extremely deep erosion gully straight uphill.

On a positive note, once you rejoin the old portion of the trail built decades ago, it is in much better shape. There are some more attractive, grassy, high-elevation forests to pass through. The area is wet, and there are several more bridges - one of which is pretty long - over marshy areas. Trickles and seeps of crystal-clear water are funneled across the trail in trenches where they haven't escaped.

Stream on South Side of the Loop
Stream on South Side of the Loop

All too soon, you'll reach another staircase, at the top of which is the ever-so-popular overlook and the location of your parked vehicle to finish the hike.

All Photos from This Hike

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Map

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Average Rating: 3.2 (rated 23 times)

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Comments

Heather said: This was a great hike that even my 4 year old could tackle BUT it was a little more challenging near the end. I didn't see any markings to the upper falls though, which would have been great. I was going along with a backpack that had a baby in it. For the most part it is definitely baby carrying friendly.

Monday, June 13 2016 8:47am

Michelle Mckinney said: these waterfalls are GORGEOUS!!!! I love to hike and I ABSOLUTELY love the water so I can't wait until I can make the plans to go for my hike!!!! This page is an awesome page for people who love and want to take a hike somewhere they've never been before! I have NEVER even heard of this beautiful hiking trail! That kinda upsets me but it makes me anxious to go my hike at Graveyard Fields!!: looking forward to my hi,e!! Thanks to all the people who worked on this site . It is wonderful.:)😀

Saturday, February 27 2016 8:08pm

Jeff said: Now that the restrooms are complete, is there any water available?

Sunday, November 22 2015 7:22pm

roger said: The enlargement of the parking lot has been completed and it now holds 60 automobiles. Also the restroom facilities have been completed and there are 3 restrooms now located at the parking lot.

Monday, October 20 2014 3:39am

Angela B said: Camped out for a night here right on the river, great exercise, very beautiful like a fairy land ..enjoyed the patches of mud, roots and claiming the falls..went up there at the mid July 2014...was busy but got quiet as the night got dark. Can't wait to go back!

Thursday, August 14 2014 6:32pm

Kathy Green said: Hiked on 7/22/2014 loved the trail however it is suffering from serious erosion and overuse. The drainage is not sufficient and there were areas if ankle deep mud. Undeterred by trail conditions I trudged on and loved it, but sad to see the shape if this trail.

Friday, July 25 2014 12:03pm

[Site Admin] Jordan M. said: Keep checking back. There is a major trail project purported to be taking place in Graveyard Fields sometime soon. If it clears hurdles, we'll let everyone know when it's completed. Hopefully it will include some signage!

Thursday, December 13 2012 1:31am

bob said: Our Family (Ageless, Ageless, 11, 8 & 6) recently hiked the Graveyard. We enjoyed the views of the waterfalls. Not many people on the trail. Our only con was that it was poorly marked along the trail to the main waterfall viewing.

Wednesday, November 21 2012 10:40pm

lisa said: Hiked this today. Trail markings are scant, despite several off-shoots along the way. Saw signs at two places, with nothing near the upper falls. Sections of the trails are in terrible shape. Strongly recommend wearing hiking boots with good ankle supports. Hiking poles came in very handy, too. The falls are nice, but one can go thru less work to reach Triple Falls or High Falls (in Dupont State Forest) and be rewarded with much better views and benefit from much better signage along the way.

Monday, July 30 2012 1:02am

GED said: Very complete description of a popular BRP destination. It's an easy hike which is why it attracts so many folks. The 'grave' mounds are interesting, but compared to other BRP hikes, it has good, but not "spectacular", views. The lower falls are really just a stroll, and the upper falls get crowded pretty quicky on nice days. There are so many other options within 20 miles on and near the BRP.

Sunday, November 13 2011 7:39pm

David said: We had a great time on this hike with a four year old and one year old. Good compromise between hike with kids (need to carry them in parts) and great views of waterfalls. Four year old loved playing around waterfalls. Very easy to get to off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Wednesday, October 26 2011 2:50pm

lee said: Mile post is 419. I took Graveyard Ridge Trail and it is about 4mile loop. The GRT loop comes back to where the metal post sign intersection for upper falls and GRT. thank you.

Monday, October 24 2011 9:57am

russ said: Graveyard is nice if Pkwy is open and weather co-ops

Monday, March 15 2010 5:47pm
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