Stairway Falls

From US 64 near Lake Toxaway, drive south on NC 281 for 0.9 miles and turn left into Gorges State Park. Drive 0.95 miles to the stop sign at the visitor center, turn left, and drive 0.8 miles to the Grassy Ridge parking area. Start at the kiosks at the far end of the parking area. At 0.3 miles turn right on the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail and descend to an easy creek crossing; about 0.1 miles later the trail leaves the state park and enters Pisgah National Forest. About a quarter mile past that creek crossing, the main trail makes a sharp right turn. An unofficial side path goes left along a ridge down to the Horsepasture River near the top of Stairway Falls. Turn left at the river and follow the path down to the base.