Little Fall Branch Falls – Harmon Den NC

Written By Larry Deane, local expert for 20+ years.

10s of thousands of people have driven through Harmon Den off I-40 in North Carolina, on their way up to Max Patch.   The area is very scenic and beautiful, but what many don't realize is that just a short drive and hike off Harmon Den Rd is a beautiful waterfall, called Little Fall Branch Falls (also called Waterfall on Little Fall Branch).

Hike Details

Location:

Harmon Den, in Pisgah National Forest, off I-40 (Exit 7), West of Asheville, North Carolina

Roundtrip Distance:

0.6 Miles

Difficulty:

Easy

Handicap Accessible:

No

Dog Friendly:

Yes

Features:

Creekside hike, beautiful woods, and waterfall

Directions:

Take I-40 to the Harmon Den Exit 7.  If you are coming from Asheville, you'll take I-40 West.  If traveling west on I-40, turn right at the bottom of Exit 7; if traveling east, turn left and go under the overpass. This is Cold Springs Road (FS 148). The road quickly turns into a gravel road.  Drive 3.7 miles and then turn right where you'll see signs for a picnic area and horse camping. Follow this road about 0.3 mile, past both the picnic area and horse camp, to a gate.  Park near the gate (don't block it).  The trailhead is just past the gate on the left.

Recommended Gear:

No special gear required, this is a short and easy hike. 

Little Fall Branch Falls

This 40' waterfall is a real hidden gem, and surprisingly pretty.  Little Fall Branch Falls isn't a free falling waterfall all the way down, but a steep incline of cascades that launch the water, and make it beautiful to see, hear, and photograph.  

The falls are surrounded by luscious green vegetation, included lots of moss and ferns.

In dry or drought conditions, Little Fall Branch Falls isn't worth visiting, but after a good rain or even in normal conditions, it's well worth the visit.

Hiking to Little Fall Branch Falls

Calling the walk to this waterfall a hike is a bit of a stretch.  From the parking area, it's only .3 miles to the waterfall, along an informal, creekside trail, that has a very slow incline up to Little Fall Branch Falls.

The trailhead begins just after the gate, and you'll see it immediately to the left, next to the small creek.  The photo above was taken just after starting the trail.

Not far along, you'll hear the sounds of the waterfall in the distance, and before you know it, it will appear ahead of you.

Visiting this waterfall, while in the Harmon Den area or while heading up to Max Patch, makes for a worthwhile side trip.

Our Waterfall Guides

See our full guides to more than 40 waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on our Waterfalls Page.  Information, Directions, Photos, Video, and more!

Little Fall Branch Falls Video

About the author

Larry Deane is the co-owner and voice behind Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel resource built from more than two decades of exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains firsthand. A Western North Carolina local, Larry has spent 20+ years hiking the trails, visiting small towns, chasing waterfalls, and documenting life in the mountains he calls home.

Alongside his wife Jenn, he created Blue Ridge Mountain Life to share their real-world experiences with others who love — or are just discovering — the Blue Ridge. Larry is a seasoned travel writer, photographer, and videographer with a background in journalism, and his work reaches more than 500,000 mountain lovers each month. Whether he's deep in Pisgah National Forest or strolling Main Street in a mountain town, you can count on Larry to give you the inside scoop from someone who’s truly been there.


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