Accessibility – Easy+
Height: Approx 12′-14′
Distance – 1.0 miles (out and back)
Beauty – 8
Photo rating – 8
Solitude – 6
GPS Info: LAT 35.3290 LONG -82.7677
Last Updated: 09/04/2016
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The hike to the Waterfall on Avery Creek can be accomplished by one of two routes. The first is from the Avery Creek Trail and the other is from the Buckhorn Gap Trail. The hikes are about the same distance, between 0.5 and 0.6 of a mile. The scramble from the Buckhorn Gap trail is more difficult but the Buckhorn Gap Trail is a much nicer hike and not as soggy. If you want to hike this waterfall from the Buckhorn Gap Trail, visit the listing for the Upper Waterfall on Avery Creek and use those directions. The Avery Creek Trail is easy enough but there are some soggy patches along the way. The only challenge is the scramble to the base. What this waterfall lacks in height it makes up for in character. The setting is great and the multi-faced rock makes for a great time lapse photo. There is a nice swimming hole in front of the falls. The waterfall can be done as a solo hike or paired with the Waterfall on Clawhammer Creek, which is downstream a bit. It can also be paired with a hike to Twin Falls, the Upper Waterfall on Avery Creek or some combination of all five.
From the confluence of US64/NC280/US276 in Brevard, take US276 North for 2.1 miles to FR477 (Avery Creek Road) and make a right. FR477 is easy to find since there is a sign for the Pisgah Riding Stables. FR447 is a gravel road with pullouts to allow two-way traffic. Follow it 2.2 miles to a small pull out on the right side of the road. There is enough room for two or three cars and nearby you will see the marker for the blue blazed Avery Creek Trail. In the warmer months there might not be any spots. If so, you can drive further up FR477 about 0.25 of a mile to the Buckhorn Gap Trailhead. If you need to park at Buckhorn Gap you can make the hike as described in the Upper Avery Creek Falls page.
If you can park at the Avery Creek Trailhead, follow the trail down hill to a bridge over Avery Creek. If you make a right you will be heading toward the Waterfall on Clawhammer Creek. Instead make a left and head up Avery Creek. Both times I was on this section of trail it was muddy so I’m not sure if this is a constant condition or not. No more than twenty minutes from the trailhead, the trail will be near enough the falls to hear it down and to the left. There is a scramble path about even with the top of the falls that descends and leads downstream of the falls. There is one spot that is kind of steep and slippery so use caution.
The hike is kid friendly but the scramble might not be for all. My daughter didn’t have a problem with it but she’s done more than a hundred waterfall hikes and at least as many scrambles so she’s very sure footed. You know what your children can and can’t do so use your judgment. If you so go down to the base, you won’t be disappointed. My first two pictures are from a winter day and it’s still gorgeous. The rest are from Labor Day Weekend in 2016.
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