Moore Cove Trail

Moore Cove Falls on the Moore Cove Trail was Waterfall #2 of our Asheville adventures! (The first waterfall was Looking Glass Falls.)

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Distance: ~1.5 miles (round-trip)
Elevation: 160 feet
Trailhead Location: Located 1 mile north of Looking Glass Falls on U.S. 276, or 5 miles north of the Pisgah District Ranger Station/Visitor Center.
Difficulty: Easy
Parking: There is a parking area along US 276! There’s room for ~18 cars. (Park diagonally.)

You’ll approach a stone highway bridge with an adjoining wooden footbridge + a bulletin board with a “MOORE COVE” sign.

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Side view of the stone highway bridge!

The Moore Cove Trail is a super short and easy out-and-back hike that leads to the Moore Cove Falls. Cross the stream using the footbridge and follow the yellow blazes (tree markings) to get to the waterfall!

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(This is the bridge you need to cross to start the trail!)

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(This is the stream you’ll be crossing!)

Don’t let the stairs fool you. The first 150 feet of the trail would be considered moderate, but it’s all easy-peasy from there–the total elevation for this trail was only something like 160 feet! Super manageable, and nothing like Mission Peak or Cathedral Rock! :P
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Some areas on the trail might get a bit muddy from the rain, so wear appropriate footgear! The footbridges are sturdy, and you’ll use those to cross the creek 3 times.

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Yellow poplars are the most common trees in the cove forest!

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You can apparently often find a whole bunch of different wildflowers on the trail (e.g. Showy Orchids, Pink Lady’s Slipper, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Dwarf Irises), but we unfortunately didn’t see any aside from one plant with white flowers.
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The trail ends at Moore Cove Falls, which drops 50 feet over a cave-like rock outcropping–you can walk behind it and have a picnic on the flat rocks there!

moorecovefalls1P.S. The trail doesn’t go beyond the falls, so please don’t attempt to hike to the top or to the area upstream of the falls, as that could lead to serious injury and also cause significant environmental damage! Also, the area within 1/4 mile of Moore Cove Falls is closed to the public from sunset to sunrise!


  • Have you ever hiked anywhere in western North Carolina?
  • Where’s your favorite place to hike?

Check out my other Travel Tuesday posts!

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22 comments

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  1. GORGEOUS! Wow! I haven’t been to NC yet, but I’m so going there, haha.
    Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete recently posted…Read This (I couldn’t come up with a good title)My Profile

    1. Yay! Let me know how you like it! <3 I love exploring over there! :]

  2. We went to Asheville a few months ago for the first time, and it was absolutely gorgeous! As Vermonters that have relocated to coastal SC, we had been missing the mountains and forest. Asheville was just what we needed!
    RFC recently posted…Review: Saucony Peregrine 6My Profile

    1. Aww, I’m glad you got to go there! I’ve never been to Vermont, but I’ve heard it’s absolutely gorgeous over there!!

  3. Beautiful!! We have many of these “hiking gems” up here in NJ ;)
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…3-Year Reader Survey & QuestionnaireMy Profile

    1. Ahh!! Hooray! Are there any that you’d suggest? <3 I had no car when I was there last, so I never really explored much outside of New Brunswick/Piscataway! :O

  4. This is such a great little hike! I love how unique the falls are. It was a great hike for my Dad last year because he struggles with stairs/ hills, but can walk a good bit! So glad you got a chance to do this while you were here.
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Blueberry Pie Overnight OatsMy Profile

    1. This one must have been perfect for him then! :]! I love how unique the falls are too! <3 I hope I can come back at some point!

  5. Wow wow wow, what a beautiful place! There’s nothing I love more than walking in nature, it’s such a calming, grounding experience. I definitely need to visit Moore Cove one day!
    Harriet Emily recently posted…red velvet pancakesMy Profile

    1. Agreed! I feel so at peace with the world when I get to be outside in nature! <3 I hope you get to go there sometime! It's so gorgeous!

  6. I love to hike! I live in Colorado but I will be traveling to North Carolina this summer–thanks for sharing the adventure!

    1. Ah, Colorado! That’s on my travel bucket list! I hear it’s an outdoors enthusiast’s dream! <3

  7. wow Farrah! what a beautiful spot to hike! I love waterfalls! so amazing!!
    tianna recently posted…The Best Summer Reads 2016My Profile

    1. Me too! They’re my favorite thing to find on a hike! :]

  8. We’ve been meaning to take a day trip to Asheville for hiking since it’s only about an hour and a half from Charlotte. Isn’t Asheville so beautiful!? I love seeing all the green here.
    Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy recently posted…Easy Sweet Potato Turkey Burgers (Gluten Free)My Profile

    1. I love all the green there too! It’s such a gorgeous place! :] I hope you get to go there sometime! <3

  9. This trail looks amazing! I love the footbridge and the waterfalls. The best part of a waterfall is when there’s a bit of a body of water to play in for a while.

    1. Agreed! It was fun getting to go behind it! :D!

  10. What an absolutely gorgeous place to explore! I loveee trails like this that have so many hidden wonders!
    Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Our Anniversary Tradition and How to Create Your Own Family TraditionMy Profile

    1. Me too! I need to go find more! :P

  11. What a beautiful little trail – a nice, easy distance with a beautiful view midway.
    Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…Four Reasons To Smile MoreMy Profile

    1. Agreed! :D Gotta love the ones that have a nice payoff somewhere along the way! :]!

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