Little Lost Cove Falls
Avery County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Avery County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Partial: forest road walk, then a steep rough path with off-trail scrambling
- The walk
- About 3 miles return
- Ground & access
- Old forest roads, then a very steep, rough path with off-trail scrambling for the last few tenths of a mile. Go when creek levels are at least normal.
From FR 464, walk FR 464A (Lost Cove Road) about 0.8 miles to a worn campsite, keep left around the dirt mounds, and continue on the old road. About half a mile farther, after the road bears left, look for a steep side path on the right that drops toward the creek; in 2010 it was marked with flagging tape. It leads almost straight down to the upper falls. Where the path turns left along the ridge, follow it downstream to the lower falls, staying away from the top of the falls. Cross the creek and climb the boulders for the best view. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Forest Road 464 at the Forest Road 464A junction, walk FR 464A, then a steep side path past the upper falls to Lower Little Lost Cove Falls
Rich Stevenson says the hike to the lower falls is about 1.5 miles each way when parking along FR 464. FR 464A is now closed to vehicles, so the shorter drive-in option is not available.
Old forest roads, then a very steep, rough path with off-trail scrambling for the last few tenths of a mile. Go when creek levels are at least normal.
Where to start
Along FR 464 at the junction with FR 464A, which cuts back sharply to the left 4 miles past Long Ridge Baptist Church. The church is 1.7 miles from Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 311.1 via Old Jonas Ridge Road. Do not block the gate.
Timing & water
The Forest Service storm-damage page lists Lost Cove Road (FSRD 464A) as closed to motorized vehicles but open on foot, bike and horseback. The route details are from a 2010 visit.
Before you go
Grandfather Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest; no fee is stated by the sources.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Upper Little Lost Cove FallsPartial: walk on a road closed to vehicles, then an unsigned steep path; older route descriptionAvery County, NC0.1 miW
- North Harper Creek FallsNational forest trails; one creek crossingAvery County, NC1.3 miSW
- Chestnut Cove Branch FallsNational forest trails; wading for the viewAvery County, NC1.4 miSW
- Huntfish FallsSigned national forest trail; steep return; current storm-recovery status not confirmedAvery County, NC1.5 miE
- Huntfish Sidekick FallsForest Service trail; side view and base of Sidekick Falls at the trail endAvery County, NC1.5 miE
- Upper Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with a wade across Gragg ProngAvery County, NC1.8 miE
- Middle Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail; three creek crossings16 ft (5 m) · Avery County, NC1.8 miE
- Bard FallsPublished national forest trail route; creek wadeAvery County, NC2.0 miSE
- Gragg Prong FallsNational forest trail with wet creek crossings33 ft (10 m) · Avery County, NC2.0 miE