Rich Falls

Transylvania County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Transylvania County, North Carolina
Access status: Old logging road, river wade and very steep side path
The walk: About 5 miles return
Ground & access: Long old-road walk, a river wade that is dangerous in high water, and a very steep descent to slippery boulders. Expect wet feet.

Take a Hike: North Carolina waterfalls M to R (Rich Falls)

At the Brewer Road turn, walk up the gated logging road. Pass the side path to High Falls at about 1 mile and descend by switchbacks to a ford of the Thompson River. Wade across unless the water is very low. Continue on the logging road, high above the river, for about 1.5 miles. Just after old logging cable sticking up in the road, take the very steep side path on the left down to the river. The falls are just upstream. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Brewer Road pull-off on NC 281, gated old logging road, ford of the Thompson River, logging road on the ridge, then a very steep side path down to the falls

Take a Hike gives about 5 miles round trip: about 1 mile to the High Falls side path, a ford, then about 1.5 miles more from the ford to the side path.

Long old-road walk, a river wade that is dangerous in high water, and a very steep descent to slippery boulders. Expect wet feet.

Where to start

Wide paved pull-off at the top of Brewer Road (SR 1189) next to NC 281, about 3.6 to 3.7 miles south of US 64, past the Gorges State Park entrance. Do not drive down Brewer Road. Trailhead coordinates: 35.07795, -82.99367.

Timing & water

No closure is stated by the sources. Do not attempt the ford after heavy rain.

Before you go

Pisgah Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. No fee is stated by the sources.

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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