Greenland Creek Falls
Jackson County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Jackson County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Marked Panthertown trails from the Cold Mountain Gap access
- The walk
- About 2 miles return (about 1.0 mile one way)
- Ground & access
- Old logging grade, then a muddy twisting trail through rhododendron with several small branch crossings. Rocks at the falls are very slippery.
Greenland Creek Falls is a two-part waterfall of about 45 to 50 feet in Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest. From the Cold Mountain Gap access, Macs Gap Trail (#482) starts immediately after the turn off Cold Mountain Road, passes under a power line and meets Greenland Creek Trail (#488) at 0.57 mile. Continue on the combined trail to a small clearing by the creek; where Macs Gap Trail turns right across the creek, follow Greenland Creek Trail into the woods on the left for 0.31 mile to the rocks at the base of the falls. Scramble out on the rocks for the view.
Plan your visit
Cold Mountain Gap trailhead via Macs Gap and Greenland Creek trails to Greenland Creek Falls
Discover Jackson County gives 0.57 mile on Macs Gap Trail, 0.14 mile on the combined trail and 0.31 mile on Greenland Creek Trail, about 1.0 mile one way. Waterfall Hero lists the hike at 2 miles.
Old logging grade, then a muddy twisting trail through rhododendron with several small branch crossings. Rocks at the falls are very slippery.
Where to start
Cold Mountain Gap trailhead: from NC 281 north of US 64 near Lake Toxaway, Cold Mountain Road 5.7 miles to its end, then left on the gravel road and right into the parking area. Parking is limited and prohibited on Cold Mountain Road; the trail begins at the wide spot just inside the access road.
Timing & water
Open year round. Friends of Panthertown recommends carrying the Panthertown trail map.
Before you go
Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley backcountry area. No fee. Bear-resistant containers are required for overnight camping.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Halfway FallsJackson County, NC0.3 miS
- Carlton FallsForest Service trails then an unofficial path, documented by two accountsJackson County, NC0.4 miSE
- Mac's FallsNational forest trail; short side pathJackson County, NC0.5 miNW
- Pothole FallsShort backcountry trail from Cold Mountain GapJackson County, NC0.5 miNW
Schoolhouse FallsNational forest trailsJackson County, NC1.0 miNW- Raven Rock FallsJackson County, NC1.0 miNE
- Panthertown Creek FallsPartial guide: the last section is an off-trail bushwhack with no pathJackson County, NC1.4 miW
- Mount Toxaway FallsJackson County, NC1.5 miSW
- Shower FallsPartial guide: roadside view of private land; almost no parkingJackson County, NC1.5 miNE