7 Scenic Waterfall Hikes Around Lake Lure, NC – Waterfalls Near Lake Lure

The rushing sound of water is mesmerizing and one of mother nature’s most amazing creations. Our area is blessed with this magnificence and you can explore the natural wonders of waterfalls with these 7 scenic waterfall hikes around Lake Lure. Our list covers some of our favorite falls within an hour of Lake Lure and they are listed in order of proximity to Lake Lure Town Center. We’ve included highlights of the hike and the breathtaking falls you will see.

Waterfall Hikes Around Lake Lure:

Hickory Nut Falls (Chimney Rock State Park)

• Cost: Adults $13.00, Children 5-15 $6.00, Children under 4 free (Reduced rates with an elevator down. Check the official park website for details).
• Location: 431 Main St, Chimney Rock NC 28720 – Approximately 5 min from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: At 404 feet, Hickory Nut Falls is the second-highest waterfall of its kind east of the Mississippi River. The hike is an easy walk through the wooded forest with rock cliffs and natural wonders along the way. The trail brings you up close to the base of the waterfall most famous for being featured in the film The Last of the Mohicans.
• Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles (round trip)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog-Friendly: Yes – leash required

Little Bearwallow Falls: (Gerton)

• Cost: FREE
• Location: Florence Nature Preserve – 3836 Gerton Hwy, Gerton, NC 28735 – Approximately 15 min from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: Enjoy a beautiful hike through the Hickory Nut Forest with views of Hickory Nut Gorge, several creek crossings, and a close-up view of the 100-foot cliff and Little Bearwallow Falls. This is a very enjoyable hike and the trails are very well done with regard to how they are cleared and constructed with stone steps, bridges, and trail markings.
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 2.3 miles (round trip)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
• Dog-Friendly: Yes
• Detailed trail Review: Little Bearwallow Falls Hike – Gerton, NC

Little Bradley Falls: (Saluda)

• Cost: FREE
• Location: 5436 Holbert Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773 – Approximately 40 min from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: The lush forest surrounds you and the great rushing sounds of Cove Creek relax you as you walk the wonderful wooded trail to Little Bradley Falls. There are 5 or 6 creek crossings so be prepared to get wet or rock hop. It’s best if you wear hiking water shoes like Keen hiking water shoes or Merrell or waterproof hiking boots. I’ve worn both and choose to walk through the water crossings versus rock-hopping for safety reasons. The pay-off: a triple-tiered, 50+ foot waterfall – absolutely gorgeous!
• Hiking Distance: 2 miles (round trip)
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Dog-Friendly: Yes
• Detailed trail Review: Little Bradley Falls Hike – Saluda, NC

Big Bradley Falls: (Saluda)

• Cost: FREE
• Location: 5436 Holbert Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773 – Same as above except Trailhead is on the Northside of the road. Approximately 40 min from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: This is a beautiful wooded hike with creek crossings and a nice view of a 100-foot tall waterfall – getting to the base is well worth the effort, but be careful, folks have gotten hurt here.
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 2.3 miles (round trip) – approximately 1.5 miles (round trip) to the precipice that looks out to falls. Add .8 miles to also go down to the base of the falls and back.
• Difficulty: moderate to difficult – much more difficult if going to the base of falls
• Dog-Friendly: Yes
• Detailed trail Review: Hiking Big Bradley Falls Saluda, NC

Pearson’s Falls: (Saluda)

• Cost: Adults $5.00, Children 6-12 $1.00, Children under 6 free
• Location: 2748 Pearson Falls Road Saluda, NC 28773 – Approximately 45 min from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: Located within a 268-acre Botanical Preserve. Pearson’s Falls is a spectacular, multi-tiered waterfall at 90 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide. The trail is very well maintained and park-like and the minimal elevation gain and a short distance to get to the waterfall make this is a hike recommended for everyone!
• Hiking Distance (round trip): Right at 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dog-Friendly: No – the park is a Botanical Preserve and pets are not allowed
• Detailed trail Review: Pearson’s Falls – Waterfall Hike in Saluda, NC – Detailed Trail Review

Catawba Falls: (Old Fort)

• Cost: FREE
• Location: Old Fort, NC – 530 Warren Mountain Drive, Old Fort, NC 28762 (off Catawba River Road)
• Highlights: Located on an isolated tract of Pisgah National Forest property near Old Fort, NC, it is one of the best waterfalls in WNC that we’ve had the privilege to explore! What makes it so special — the trail follows alongside the Catawba River. The trails are on old roadbeds making for easy trekking and the waterfall itself is a breathtaking 100-foot fall with multiple cascades and levels. This is another hike with lots of water crossings and hiking water shoes are recommended or a good waterproof hiking boot. Many choose to take their shoes off and walk barefoot, but I choose to wear good shoes and walk on through.
• Hiking Distance (round trip): 2.8 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult – water crossings and rock traversing can be tricky and a good hiking stick can come in handy for balance as you traverse the rocks and water crossings.
• Dog-Friendly: Yes – leash required
• Detailed trail Review: Hiking Catawba Falls – Beautiful Waterfall Hike in Old Fort, NC

Dupont State Forest – Hooker, Triple, and High Falls: (Between Hendersonville & Brevard)

• Cost: FREE
• Location: 1400 Staton Road, Cedar Mountain, NC 28718 – Approximately 1 hour from Lake Lure Town Center
• Highlights: The 10,400+ acre forest has four major waterfalls on the Little River – Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls. They are magnificent and each is uniquely different. There are also five lakes and an extensive trail system covering 82 miles of trails and roads for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Plan a full day to see all four wondrous waterfalls. It’s an absolute treat!
• Hiking Distance (round trip): Approximately 6 miles for the waterfalls trail hike (Hooker, Triple and High Falls). Bridal Veil Falls can also be seen with just a short drive in the park.
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Dog-Friendly: Yes – leash required
• Detailed trail Review: DuPont State Forest Waterfalls Trail Hike – Near Lake Lure, NC

Relax and recharge as you enjoy the peaceful tranquility, fresh mountain air and witness the splendid power of the white water rushing over cliffs and rock outcroppings on these 7 scenic waterfall hikes around Lake Lure

Explore All of Our Detailed Hiking Trail Reviews:

Cedar Mountain Hiking

• Dupont State Forest Waterfalls Hike – Cedar Mountain, NC

Banner Elk Hiking

• Profile Trail Hike on Grandfather Mountain – Banner Elk, NC

Gerton Hiking

• Bearwallow Mountain – Gerton, NC
• Florence Nature Preserve – Gerton, NC
• Little Bearwallow Falls – Gerton, NC

Lake Lure Hiking

• Buffalo Creek Park – Lake Lure, NC
• Chimney Rock Climbing Park – Lake Lure, NC
• Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park – Lake Lure, NC
• Party Rock – Lake Lure, NC

Old Fort Hiking

• Catawba Falls – Old Fort, NC

Saluda Hiking

• Big Bradley Falls – Saluda, NC
• Little Bradley Falls – Saluda, NC
• Pearson’s Falls – Saluda, NC