Accessibility – Easy+

Height: Approx 12′-14′

Distance – 0.6 (out and back)

Beauty – 6

Photo rating – 6

Solitude – 6

GPS Info: LAT 35.???? LONG -82.????

Last updated – 04/01/2017

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The Split Falls on the Trail to Wildcat Falls don’t appear on any waterfall blogs or websites that I could find. It isn’t a waterfall you’d make a special trip to visit but if you’re going to Wildcat Falls it’s worth stopping. The waterfall is right along the trail to Wildcat Falls, less than 0.25 from the creek crossing and it adds to the hike to Wildcat falls, which is one of my favorite hikes in the area. With so many great hikes it was hard to narrow it down to only ten but my here is my Top 10 Hikes List.

The waterfall is comprised of two drops of about 10-12 feet separated by a small island that splits the creek. The right hand channel when looking at the falls has a better flow as it fills a small pool at the base. The water from the second falls, slides over the rocks and enters the small pool from the left. The area is tucked into a small cove in the trees. There a larger collection pool between this rocky area and the Wildcat Trail.

To get to Split Falls on the Wildcat Trail. NC 215 North 0.8 miles to the entrance to a roadside campsite. There is enough room at the base of the steep entrance to pack several cars. if someone is camping down there, you may have to park along the side of NC 215, which is what I had to do on my October 2015 visit.

The hike starts by passing through the campsite at the back of the entrance road and following the logging grade parallel to Bubbling Springs Branch. At the base of the incline you will have to rock hop across the creek. There are enough rocks and logs that crossing without getting your feet wet shouldn’t present a problem. If the water level is up, it will be a different story. The trail follows the logging road on a moderate incline. After about five minutes a small creek intersects the trail. The waterfall is to the right in the clearing. You can get out onto the rocks easily enough but getting a decent shot will depend on the lighting. When I was there in October the left hand drop was in full sun and the right drop was mired in shadow. After you’re done here, you can continue up the trail to Wildcat Falls.