WaterfallNear Me

Gemini Falls

Transylvania County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Transylvania County, North Carolina
Access status
Partial guide: unofficial path then a difficult trail-less climb; experienced off-trail hikers only
The walk
About 1.6 miles return (Waterfall Hero hike length); no trail for the last 0.3 mile
Ground & access
Faint overgrown path with downed logs and a slippery rock ledge, then a steep off-trail climb. Rocks are very slippery. Help is many hours away.
Waterfall Hero: Gemini Falls (Pisgah)

Gemini Falls is an 80-foot waterfall on a tributary of Laurel Fork in the Davidson River area of Pisgah National Forest. From the pull-off just past the FR 475 bridge over Laurel Fork, cross back over the bridge and pick up a faint path on the left up the right side of Laurel Fork. At about 0.4 to 0.5 mile a rock ledge above Lower Laurel Fork Falls must be climbed or bypassed. Shortly after, where the path turns right toward a tributary crossing, do not cross; follow the tributary upstream about 0.3 mile with no trail to the falls. The ground gets very steep near the end. Both sources call this a difficult bushwhack for experienced off-trail hikers only.

Plan your visit

FR 475 Laurel Fork bridge pull-off, unofficial path up Laurel Fork, then a trail-less climb up the tributary to Gemini Falls

Waterfall Hero lists 1.6 miles round trip: about 0.5 mile on a faint path up Laurel Fork past a rock wall, then about 0.3 mile with no trail up the tributary. The legacy NC Waterfalls page says the two Laurel Fork waterfalls are about a mile from parking with no trail to either.

Faint overgrown path with downed logs and a slippery rock ledge, then a steep off-trail climb. Rocks are very slippery. Help is many hours away.

Where to start

From US 276 about 5.2 miles north of the US 64/NC 280 junction, FR 475 toward the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education 4.8 miles (gravel after the Cove Creek Group Campground) to a small pull-off on the left just past the concrete bridge over Laurel Fork; room for about 2 vehicles. Trailhead GPS 35.27909, -82.84265.

Timing & water

Check the water level in Laurel Fork before starting; low water means little to see. FR 475 can have deep potholes.

Before you go

Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District. No fee or reservation is reported. Dogs on leash.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Transylvania County, North Carolina.

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