Moore Cove Falls Trail is a short, less-traveled trail to a beautiful waterfall near the more popular Looking Glass Falls. Matt found this trail while researching a new-to-us hike near Asheville to do – a tradition each time we return to Asheville. This has become a beloved one that we can’t wait to revisit as the kids get older.
Quick Info About The Moore Cove Falls Trail
TRAIL LENGTH & DIFFICULTY – 1.5 miles total, out and back trail. I would rate this trail easy.
MOORE COVE FALLS GENERAL LOCATION – Moore Cove Falls is in Pisgah National Forest, just off of Pisgah Highway in Brevard, North Carolina. The trailhead is searchable on Google Maps.
WATERFALL INFO – Moore Cove Falls is a 50ft waterfall and it’s one of only a handful that you can technically walk behind in Western North Carolina. In the winter, it commonly freezes to make a beehive-like shape at the bottom.
NO MOUNTAIN VIEWS HERE – If you’re looking for those famous Blue Ridge Mountain views, I get it, but this isn’t the trail for you. This trail winds through the thick of the forest, Pisgah National Forest to be exact. Don’t think that it’s not worth seeing just because the lack of mountain views. The forest is stunning and the waterfall is absolutely lovely!
Getting to Moore Cove Falls Trailhead
Moore Cove Falls Trail is located just off Pisgah Highway (US 276). If you’re coming from Looking Glass Falls (which is literally two miles away) stay on that same road (US 276) and continue one mile down the road and there will be signage on the right side of the road as well as a small parking area. It’s nice that this trailhead comes right off the lower-elevation, paved road meaning it doesn’t experience winter closures like other roads in the area. Parking is limited here, but even on a beautiful late-May day, we only saw one other family on this trail and one other couple pulled up as we were leaving.
Hiking the Moore Cove Falls Trail
The Moore Cove Falls Trail is absolutely lovely! The trail starts by immediately crossing over Looking Glass Creek, which spills over to make Looking Glass Falls just down the road from here. After crossing there, the trail meanders through the forest.
Leaf-dappled light trickles through and this is one of those places (at least in the lushness of spring) that you feel the calm of nature pushing down on you in the most comforting way. It’s hard to not feel at peace here – even with a crying baby strapped to you. Because the trail is through the thick of the forest, it draws your eyes both upward at to the treetops above you, but also, I feel like you take more stock in the things below you, like the different species of fern!
The trail is very well maintained. It’s mostly dirt, which I can imagine can be very mucky during times of heavy rain. There are a couple of sections of boardwalk along the trail to assist with a stream crossing and where it seems that water might flow with a lot of rain.
The trail ends at Moore Cove Falls. Here, there’s a viewing deck that’s really nice! Obviously, this is here to encourage people to stop here. However, one of the things that makes this waterfall popular is that you can walk behind it! Pre-boardwalk, it was expected that walking behind was the end of the trail and many, many people still do so! If you do, remember that those rocks are slick when wet, so watch your footing!
A word of caution – do not attempt to go to the top of the falls. There have been several deaths at this waterfall from people trying to get to the top, or getting to the top and then slipping and falling 50+ feet. Instead, just enjoy the beauty of this waterfall from below.
This is Hiking Gear We Love!
I like to share hiking gear we personally use and love, specific for each trail guide. Here’s what we wore/used on Moore Cove Falls Trail. I realize that we didn’t use the Deuter Kid Comfort on this hike (because our daughter was young enough to put in the smaller carrier) but we would if we were doing this hike today!
Other Waterfalls Near Moore Cove Falls
LOOKING GLASS FALLS: Looking Glass Falls is one of the most iconic falls in the area. First of all, it’s big and unforgettable. Second of all, it requires no hiking to see it! You can see it from above at road level or down a couple flights of stairs.
SLIDING ROCK: This waterfall doubles as a natural waterslide. When a lifeguard is on duty it’s $4 per person to slide… but be aware that water is cold!
LOG HOLLOW FALLS: This is a relatively unknown gem. The waterfall isn’t as “grand” per se, but it’s very beautiful and a super peaceful hike. You can potentially have this whole trail to yourself!
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