Accessibility – Hard

Height: Approx 30′

Distance – 0.5 miles

Beauty – 8

Photo rating – 8

Solitude – 8

GPS Info: LAT 35.32030 LONG -82.80084

Last visit – 11-29-2019

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Log Hollow Falls may be one of the most popular waterfalls along Headwaters Road (FR475B) but while this easily accessed waterfall along FR5043 is seen by many, very few know about and have seen the two waterfalls further down Log Hollow Branch. The Middle and Lower Falls are not as easily accessed and getting to them is an exercise in off-trail hiking and bushwhacking. These two obscure waterfalls should be seen on the same hike, starting out with a visit to the lower and middle in that order. Doing them as a pair covers about half a mile.

Trailhead directions: From the intersection of US64/NC280/US276 in Brevard, follow US276 North 10.3 miles to the turn for FR475B (Headwaters Road) on the left. From the Blue Right Parkway the right turn to FR475B is about 4.7 miles. FR475B connects with 475 not to far from the fish hatchery. From the intersection with US276 drive 1.6 miles to the parking area for Log Hollow Falls (FR5043). From here, continue following FR475. Just over 0.3 of a mile from FR5043, FR475B crosses Log Hollow Branch. After the crossing it is around 0.2 of a mile to where the hike starts. There is not a good place to park so you will have to park as close as you can to this point 35.31956 -82.80148.

The hike: From the starting point of 35.31956 -82.80148 head straight down the steep and overgrown hillside following what you think is the safest route for your skill level. It is thick and overgrown, slippery and cluttered so expect to get dirty. The hike to the falls is about 750 feet but it is slow going so take your time. There is no better way to describe this hike other than head down the hill and aim to come out below the falls without falling off any of the open rock ledges. Sounds easy enough. Good luck.

If you make it down to the lower falls, you will be treated to an unexpected gem of a waterfall. I had read about this one for years but I couldn’t find any pictures or info so one dreary November afternoon in 2019 I decided to have a look. If you put the effort into this one, you will be happy with the reward. There is also a chance you might get hurt so be sure you are up to this before plunging down the hillside. You could leave a note on your car explaining where you are going but most would have no idea where you went.

When you’re done at the lower, push your way into the rhodo tangle on river right and work your way up the bank to get above Lower Log Hollow Falls. I went up higher on the ridge and found it easier to get upstream to the Middle Falls. A lot of fallen hemlocks and other clutter will make this challenging and the hillside is steep. It is no more than 600 feet from the lower falls to the middle falls. Again, there is no definitive route only what you think is the easiest way to negotiate 600 feet of overgrown drainage.

There is a nice view from river right of Middle Log Hollow Falls from both above and below the tree trunk lying across the falls. The sloping rock is slick and just because I ventured out on it does not mean you should. Even though you are close to the road it would be a while before someone realized you were down here if you got hurt.

Once you are done at Middle Log Hollow Falls, head up the bank angling up and slightly downstream. This will run you into the route down if you do it right. If you track your hike with a GPS, aim for the starting point and by following the easiest route up, you will come out close to where you started. Below are a few pics of Lower Log Hollow Falls. If you want to see Middle Log Hollow Falls, click the link. This is a nice off-trail adventure and likely something you will have to yourself every day of the year.