Accessibility – Hard+
Height: Approx 25
Distance – 5.5 (shuttle hike)
Beauty – 6
Photo rating – 5
Solitude – 10
GPS Info: LAT 35.04211 LONG-83.03774
First Visit: 06-02-2019
HomeAlphabetical ListingNumerical ListingLocation Listing Whitewater River
Hike Directions: The shortest route to this waterfall, and probably the easiest, is to hike the Upper Whitewater Gorge upstream from NC281 rather than coming down from the top. As of 12/13/2025, there is a trail all the way to Wheelchair Accessible Falls from the NC281 bridge over the Whitewater River. Big Ledge Falls is less than 700 feet upstream from Wheelchair Accessible Falls, but you’re going to want to go this route when it’s warm enough to be in the water. This is the only way to do it without a God awful bushwhack and a steep scramble. I have done the river walk numerous times, and the bushwhack once. It was horrid. At some point, the trail to Wheelchair Accessible will connect all the way to Big Ledge, but that day has not yet come. I will update this page when we’re done.
