Forest Service Road, FR475B is located in Pisgah National Forest, and provides access to a number of Waterfalls, including the pretty Discovery Falls. Discovery Falls is a 75 foot waterfall along a jagged rock face.
Hike Details | |
|---|---|
Location: | Pisgah National Forest, Ranger District |
Roundtrip Distance: | 1 mile |
Difficulty: | Moderate - Due to the steep incline close to the falls. |
Handicap Accessible: | No |
Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Features: | Nearby access to other waterfalls. |
Directions: | From the intersection of The Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 276, Take Highway 276 towards Brevard, for 9 miles, and turn right onto FR475B. Go 1.6 miles to a very sharp turn and parking area. There is a gated road here and a large National Forest Sign. This is the trailhead to Discovery Falls. |
Recommended Gear: | |
Hiking to Discovery Falls
The hike to Discovery Falls begins at the trailhead for Seniard Ridge trail, also called FR5043 right by the small parking area. You'll pass by the gates, and follow the wide Forest Service Road down for about 0.22 miles, where you'll reach your first wooden bridge crossing a stream.
Just before the bridge, and to the right is a small trail. Follow this trail for about .25 miles up to the Falls. The trail is easy until the very last section just prior to reaching Discovery Falls, where it gets pretty steep. The trail is very clear, and easy to follow.
Discovery Falls
While pretty, this isn't an exceptionally beautiful waterfall, especially when creek flow is low, but it is definitely worth the short hike. Visiting this waterfall shortly after a heavy rain is more rewarding as the water flow is higher.
Even under high flow, the waterfall is slower flowing falls, where the water softly flows down the rock face, at a very steep angle.
The waterfall is a bit difficult to photograph, due to the steep incline of the Falls itself and the ridge it flows down. The best composition is available by carefully crossing over the stream, and taking the shot from the left side. This is a bit risky though due to the slick rocks.
Fortunately lighting is almost always good here due to the thick forest canopy above the falls.
Other Area Waterfalls
There are a number of waterfalls along this trail. Discovery Falls is the first of three, that are very easy to see. In fact the next two, are visible from the trail:
- Log Hollow Falls - Guide coming soon!
- Logging Road Falls - Guide coming soon!
