Moore Cove Falls Best Hike

• Difficulty: Easy
• Total Length: 1.4 mi
• Trail Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
• Climb: Climbs Gently
• Total Elevation Gain: 160 ft
• Trails/Roads Used: Moore Cove Falls
• Hike Configuration: Out-and-back
• Starting point: Parking area along US 276.
• How to Get There: From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for the Asheville Airport (exit 40). Turn right onto NC 280; follow this 4-lane highway for 16 miles toward Brevard. At the intersection with US highways 276 and 64, turn right onto US 276 west. Proceed on US 276 for 6.6 miles past the stone entrance gate. The parking area is on the right just before a stone bridge over Looking Glass Creek.

This hike starts by crossing a brand-new, wooden pedestrian bridge over Looking Glass Creek, built in June of 2007. It replaced another bridge that was just a few years old itself. The trail used to start on the opposite side of the concrete road bridge for US 276, and it was a dangerous crossing sharing the bridge with vehicles. This bridge makes this hike a much more pleasant experience!

The trail travels primarily through a lush, vibrant cove hardwood forest the entire way. Trees such as tulip poplar, oak, and maple can be found, along with dark, lacy hemlocks. An understory of rosebay rhododendron is found in places, and in other spots the steeply sloping forest floor is covered with a dense carpet of various ferns.

The trail climbs moderately at first, then levels out some and even goes downhill a bit. There are a couple of seeps along this first section, which generally winds along the hill above Looking Glass Creek. You'll find a couple of log bridges and waterbars. At one point the trail skirts the base of a very large rock outcropping with two tall, straight birch trees growing up its face. The trail then turns into Moore Cove itself. After turning into the cove, the trail climbs gradually up to the falls, but undulates up and down gently along the way. You'll cross Moore Cove Creek on wooden bridges several times, and at several points along the way there are long log viaducts to keep the hiker dry on muddy sections.

The last climb just before the falls is the steepest, but it is not difficult and it is short. You'll end up on the right side of the cove, with a spectacular view of the falls. The trail continues on and behind the falls and on a hot day, the showery spray is inviting. Be careful on wet and slippery rocks, however and do NOT attempt to reach the top of the falls. This would be dangerous to you and to the fragile plant communities that grow on the steep banks.

The trail, after passing behind the falls, continues to reach a campsite and eventually another, similar falls about half the height of Moore Cove Falls. This part of the trail is a bit eroded and steeper, and much more difficult, so it is not included as part of the difficulty rating of this hike.

Return to your vehicle on the same path.