Little Bearwallow Falls

Buncombe County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Buncombe County, North Carolina
Access status: Partial guide: usual trailhead closed after Helene; long alternative with restricted road access
The walk: About 10 miles return from the Bearwallow Mountain trailhead; 2 miles return from the closed Wildcat Rock trailhead
Ground & access: Moderate to very strenuous. Coming from Bearwallow Mountain means a long descent with rock stairs and a climb back. The falls may be dry in summer. Hiking only; dogs leashed.

Conserving Carolina: Wildcat Rock Trail (Little Bearwallow Falls)

Conserving Carolina says the Wildcat Rock trailhead on Gerton Highway is closed after Hurricane Helene because of restricted roads. Its alternative is to hike the one-mile trail from the Bearwallow Mountain trailhead to the summit, then follow the Wildcat Rock Trail down from the pasture as an out-and-back to the 100-foot falls. When the lower trailhead reopens, the falls is about 1 mile up from US 74A through an orchard on a trail easement, with more than 100 log stairs.

Plan your visit

Wildcat Rock Trail to Little Bearwallow Falls (trailhead on US 74A closed; reached from Bearwallow Mountain)

Conserving Carolina gives 1 mile from the Wildcat Rock trailhead to the falls and 6 miles for the full trail between the two trailheads, so the falls is about 5 miles from the Bearwallow Mountain trailhead.

Moderate to very strenuous. Coming from Bearwallow Mountain means a long descent with rock stairs and a climb back. The falls may be dry in summer. Hiking only; dogs leashed.

Where to start

Conserving Carolina says not to drive through Gerton to reach the Bearwallow Mountain trailhead because Bearwallow Mountain Road is still restricted. The reviewed sources do not give another driving route to that trailhead. Park in designated areas only; vehicles elsewhere are towed.

Timing & water

Trail open dawn to dusk. Best after rain; frozen in winter. Lower trailhead closed after Helene.

Before you go

Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Buncombe County, North Carolina.

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