Sweat Heifer Cascades

Swain County, North Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Swain County, North Carolina
Access status: National park trails; 7.4-mile return with a long climb back; parking tag required
The walk: About 7.4 miles return
Ground & access: Rocky uphill section of the Appalachian Trail, then a steady descent that must be climbed on the way back. Falls may be small in dry weather.

Champagne Tastes: Sweat Heifer Creek Trail (Great Smoky Mountains)

From the Newfound Gap parking area on US 441, hike northeast on the Appalachian Trail for 1.7 miles to the signed Sweat Heifer Creek Trail junction. Turn onto Sweat Heifer Creek Trail and descend. In a little under a mile you pass a small waterfall, then reach a second falls where the trail first meets the creek. The largest, Sweat Heifer Cascades, is a short way beyond. Return the same way, climbing back to the Appalachian Trail.

Plan your visit

Newfound Gap parking area, Appalachian Trail northeast to Sweat Heifer Creek Trail, then down that trail past two smaller falls to the cascades

Champagne Tastes gives about 7.4 miles round trip: 1.7 miles on the Appalachian Trail and about 2 miles down Sweat Heifer Creek Trail, with just under 2,400 feet of elevation change.

Rocky uphill section of the Appalachian Trail, then a steady descent that must be climbed on the way back. Falls may be small in dry weather.

Where to start

Newfound Gap parking area on US 441 (Newfound Gap Road).

Timing & water

Hiking Project notes the trail is closed when Newfound Gap Road is closed for snow and ice. The National Park Service closure page does not list this trail.

Before you go

A Great Smoky Mountains parking tag is required for any vehicle parked longer than 15 minutes: $5 daily, $15 weekly or $40 annual. Dogs are not allowed on this trail.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore North Carolina

Waterfall location

Swain County, North Carolina.

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