Accessibility – Hard
Height – 30′
Distance – 5.1 (out and back)
Beauty – 8
Photo rating – 7
Solitude – 8
GPS Info: LAT 35.05459 LONG -82.84494
Last Updated – 12-23-2024
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The trailhead: The trailhead is on Horse Pasture Road 3.75 miles from US178. There is a pullout on the left side of the road at the intersection where Canebrake Road starts on the right. The gate may or may not be open, but this is where I started the hike. If the gate it open, you can drive in and park closer to where the fun begins. The parking it right about here: 35.04401, -82.83826.
Note: The specifics above are based on Big Cliff Falls, which is the nicest of the four you will see on this trek.
The hike: The hike starts on Canebrake Road, heading uphill. The grade isn’t too bad, and the road is in very good condition. Follow the road for around a mile to about this point, 35.05419, -82.84386, give or take and drop off the left side of the road at a place that looks good. It won’t be too steep close to the road, but it will get there as you get closer to Laurel Fork. What we did was work our way to the creek above the upper waterfall so we could cross to the other side to avoid the big cliff on river left that gives this waterfall it’s name. I’m not sure there is a good way to make a river left approach without going way downstream and walking up the creek. The four waterfalls are close together, with Upper Big Cliff Falls at the top of the grouping and Chute Falls at the bottom. They are spread out over 0.2 of a mile but getting from one to the next is slow going with the thick laurel clogging the slopes.
Here are a couple of shots of Big Cliff Falls, and like Upper Fisher Hole Falls, you can see the high cliff that prevents access from river left. If you’re only going to expend the effort to see one of these, this would be the one. This table has the specifics of each waterfall, including an approximate elevation and GPS.
| Name | Height | Elevation | GPS |
| Upper Big Cliff Falls | 16′ | 2297 ft | 35.05473, -82.84459 |
| Big Cliff Falls | 30′ | 2231 ft | 35.05459, -82.84494 |
| Split Falls | 12′ | 2198 ft | 35.05418, -82.84523 |
| Chute Falls | 16′ | 2100 ft | 35.05368, -82.84584 |
When it comes to exploring these falls, once we crossed to river right, we stayed on that side, and when it was time to leave, we went up the right that divides Laurel Fork from an unnamed drainage where you can find Bella Falls and Evil Ducky Falls very close to where the trin meets Laurel Fork. Don’t have anything else I can offer on this one beyond the climb out is not too bad if you stay in the middle of the ridge next to Laurel Fork. It’s surprisingly open and just under 0.25 of a mile from the convergence of the creeks to reach Canebrake Road, with a climb of around 250 feet. Make a right on Canebrake Road and in 0.5 of a mile you will get to the point where you dropped off the road to start the fun. A mile later, you’ll be back at your car, likely very dirty. Below are some shots of the other waterfalls on this hike to help you decide if they’re worth the effort.
