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Secret Falls

10 Reviews

#12 of 30 things to do in Highlands

Nature & Parks, Waterfalls

Big Creek Rd, Highlands, NC 28741

Review Highlights

“Use Hiking Poles”

We ended up hiking at Secret Falls after a nearby national park was closed due to Hurricane Floyd... read more

Reviewed 6 days ago

Catherine C

via mobile

“First Day Hike in the Highlands!! Did not Disappoint.”

We looked in to several hike in the area and the locals told us to try this one first. It is off... read more

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

ChattaFoodie17

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Read all 10 reviews

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Traveler Overview

5.0 10 reviews

Excellent90%
Very good10%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

Travelers talk about

“gravel”(2 reviews)

“muddy”(3 reviews)

“forest”(2 reviews)

About

Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

Local Weather

F°C°

21°

10°

Sep

17°

4°

Oct

11°

0°

Nov

Contact

Big Creek Rd, Highlands, NC 28741

Website

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1 - 10 of 10 reviews

Catherine C

132

Reviewed 6 days ago via mobile

Use Hiking Poles

We ended up hiking at Secret Falls after a nearby national park was closed due to Hurricane Floyd. We both used hiking poles to navigate the steep trail down to the falls. You can probably do the hike without hiking poles but using the poles...More

Thank Catherine C

ChattaFoodie17

Chattanooga, Tennessee

4217

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

First Day Hike in the Highlands!! Did not Disappoint.

We looked in to several hike in the area and the locals told us to try this one first. It is off the beaten path by automobile but worth the drive. The hike itself was not bad at all, just wear good shoes as it...More

1 Thank ChattaFoodie17

TRafter

Charlotte, North Carolina

5551

Reviewed 7 August 2018

Beautiful falls without the crowds

This is one of my favorite water falls in the mountains of North Carolina. We went there at the height of tourist season (Late July) and still we were the only one's there! That being said a few tips about getting there: - Romantic Asheville...More

Thank TRafter

susan l

Nashville, Tennessee

294

Reviewed 20 July 2018 via mobile

Secret Falls hike and swim with kids

This place is beautiful. It is hard to find so follow directions carefully. We brought lunch and a couple tubes to use by the waterfall. One child did fall down at the very end and she split her knee skin. I recommend taking a first...More

Thank susan l

Caitlin B

124

Reviewed 18 October 2017

So, so beautiful

I'm easily confused, so I spent an hour driving 12 mph down gravel roads past where the parking area actually is... lol BUT when I found it - WOW. The tiny hike there and back is fairly strenuous, but the falls are SO worth it....More

Thank Caitlin B

formerexpatCT

Bluffton, South Carolina

23590

Reviewed 17 August 2017 via mobile

All alone and amazing

Yes, it's difficult to find. The unpaved road leading to the trailhead parking area is unmarked, so get good directions before you start out! That road is narrow, so be very careful! The trail itself is not smooth--it's muddy with lots of tree limbs, and...More

1 Thank formerexpatCT

lhaiglerjr

Atlanta, Georgia

2713

Reviewed 8 August 2017

It's a secret, so don't tell anyone ... this waterfall is spectacular !

It wasn't until recently that there was public access to this waterfall, so you had to risk trespassing to see it. That's changed now. There's a beautiful multi-step waterfall at the top of Secret Falls and a sweet swimming hole at the bottom of Secret...More

3 Thank lhaiglerjr

BillyTeddy

Saint Louis, Missouri

206109

Reviewed 29 July 2017

Wet & Wild Walk

A real treat just to find the trail head down the dirt/gravel road. BY THE WAY, take the Hwy 28 route NOT the alternative on Bull Pen. SUV urged only to get to trail head. Wet path and slippery with some decent decent so avoid...More

1 Thank BillyTeddy

zaddyrabbit

Charleston, South Carolina

Reviewed 24 July 2017

Fun, Fun, Fun

Off the normal beat, hike through the woods was fun and the fall was beautiful, water was cold, people were having a great time

Thank zaddyrabbit

scothernite

Lincoln, United Kingdom

31891

Reviewed 27 June 2017

Worth finding

Secret falls is accessed from a dirt track long a forested walk which gets progressively steeper, but it is worth it.

Thank scothernite

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Questions & Answers

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rockdoctor48

What are the directions to this set of falls? I have never heard of them.

9 September 2017|

Answer

Dr., that is why they are called " Secret Falls." As noted in my review Google Map the location but take the Walla Walla Hwy 28 route. And also suggested to be is sturdy vehicle. Last portion is gravel/mud.