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    Thermal Belt Rail Trail

    3.0 (1 review)

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    Rumbling Bald State Park

    Rumbling Bald State Park

    4.5(2 reviews)
    14.4 mi

    If you like the outdoors and some big rocks and cliffs, come check out this State Park. The park…read moreis one of the cooler State parks in North Carolina that I have had the pleasure of experiencing. I am a mountain type of person and I am really glad that public access has been provided to these cliffs and this Area. Rumbling Bald park host several great hiking trails through massive boulder fields and spectacular hardwood forests. The main draw for the park has to be for Bouldering and Rock Climbing. While hiking or walking through the woods in the winter/spring it is certain you'll see lots of people climbing up and down rocks. Thanks to the park staff for creating a viable parking lot for the park too. When you come here make sure to try and park as closely together as you can. It can get packed on the weekends. Also, don't double park or block anyone, or else you'll get a ticket. I really hope they access can be opened to the other cliff areas around the lake, like Ghost Town and the Darkside, which are currently closed.. 1 suggestion is to avoid this place in the summer, as it turns into a oven with the south-facing rocks, and there is poison ivy all over the place. Go enjoy the outdoor wander around some rocks.

    This park is perfect for climbers and bouldering. The hike during the summer months does not…read moreprovide views unless you're willing to do a little climbing to escape the canopy. However, it's a beautiful trail, and I would bet full of views in the winter.

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    Rumbling Bald State Park - Boulders

    Boulders

    Rumbling Bald State Park - Rock Walls of rumbling bald

    Rock Walls of rumbling bald

    Rumbling Bald State Park

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    Little Bradley Falls - Gorgeous multi-tiered specimen of a waterfall approx. 50' tall

    Little Bradley Falls

    4.4(7 reviews)
    22.2 mi

    My family and I decided to spend a weekend in North Carolina. Since we enjoy the outdoors we…read moredecided to spend a part of our time hiking. We went to Little Bradley Falls, located in Saluda, North Carolina. Due to a wildfire that happened a couple of years back some of the trials are restricted for hikers. However, you are still able to see Little Bradley Falls and explore the surrounding area. The trail is pet and kid friendly, with designated paths, so you do not have to worry about getting lost. The parking lot is more of "pull of the side of the road" style parking. It was tight, but I was able to park my SUV. Although the majority of Little Bradley Falls trail was closed, the rest of the trail was well kept, and you could visibly see the park staff was working on reopening the damaged trail. The waterfall was beautiful, there is an observation area where you can see the majestic waterfall, perfect for photos. Although the trail was well cleared, one dangerous part is you have to climb over rocks in the river to get to the other side of the trail. It wasn't that difficult, but should be considered when planning your hike to Little Bradley Falls. If you are in the Saldua North Carolina area, or want to take an easy hike with the family, I would definitely recommend taking a look into Little Bradley Falls. I hope to return in the future to complete the other trailhead that is adjacent from Little Bradley Falls.

    Short trail with a beautiful waterfall at the end…read more Drive: 1.5hour drive from Charlotte Parking: the location on the google map doesn't take you to a parking lot. We arrived at the entrance of a side trail. Parking is available on the side street. Trail: about a 30 -45 mins trail but it is very tricky Overall, I enjoyed the short hike. The waterfall at the end was definitely worth the trip. Highly recommend a visit. 5/5

    Photos
    Little Bradley Falls - The Crew (SUNDAY-5/7/23)

    The Crew (SUNDAY-5/7/23)

    Little Bradley Falls
    Little Bradley Falls - Gorgeous multi-tiered specimen of a waterfall approx. 50' tall

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    Gorgeous multi-tiered specimen of a waterfall approx. 50' tall

    Upper Creek Falls

    Upper Creek Falls

    5.0(3 reviews)
    36.2 mi

    Loved it!! Beautiful falls and swim hole. I can't wait to be back. Water shoes for when you get…read moredown to the water hole are recommended. It's a nice hike with lots of roots in the way so you need to be careful. But definitely worth it!

    It is my absolute pleasure to introduce UPPER CREEK FALLS to Yelp!…read more If you are a hiker and lover of waterfalls, then you just might want to spend an entire weekend in the Newland, NC area. The mountains surrounding this area are a treasure trove of sights and sound for your soul to behold. Amongst them is the highly popular Upper Creek Falls. Now let me be honest, you're gonna burn some calories on this trail so don't let the short 1.5 miles round trip distance fool you! There is SIGNIFICANT elevation gain that will surely bring a little heavy breathing to your lips and sweat to your brow. However, the payoff is tremendous. **** The creek consists of multiple waterfalls, cascades and swimming holes, but the largest waterfall requires venturing to one of the lowest points on the trail to fully view. It will require detouring off the main yellow blazed trail and mountain-goating it down a steep side trail, then back up to the main trail before continuing the loop back to the parking area. According to ALLTRAILS, the loop starts at an elevation of around 3,215 feet and drops as low as 2,790 feet for a gain of approx. 425 feet in 3/4's of a mile. My personal trail tracker logged 436 feet of gain. The lowest point of the trail leads to a wonderfully exposed area of stone that almost acts as a raceway for the creek. The topography is such that you can walk on an island of stone that splits the creek in two for a short distant before rejoining and continuing its descent. I can only imagine how many more waterfalls are below this point as the creek continues its slide down the mountain another 460 feet over the following mile according to topography maps. *** FEATURES 1) There are two trailheads, but each links to the other. The trailhead on the left side of the parking area behind the information board leads first to the top of the main waterfall before crossing the creek and descending towards the base. You can get some terrifying pics on the dry stone near the crest, but don't drift too close to the edge! 2) Once you cross the creek, look to the left to spot a faint trail leading back up the mountain. Follow it and you will be rewarded with a gorgeous 15 foot waterfall. Here locals us the fall as a slide, complete with a rope to help you get back up to the top of this ultra-smooth cascade. 3) There is a fairly deep pool of water here and opposite of the climbing rope is a tire swing to launch into the pool. 4) Continue down the trail until you see side trails leading to the base of the largest waterfall. WARNING: The side trail is steep, but worth it to view the larger fall in its entirety. 5) As you continue down the trail it will once again cross the creek. This crossing is most likely tricky in high water and probably not advisable. It was only at average flow when I visited and I still got my feet wet doing my best jump. It is here you will discover another small pool of water and a large area to camp out on the stone outcrop. Even though this is the lowest point on the trail, it is actually an overlook of the mountains below. Very open and majestic. 6) Once across the lowest creek crossing, the trail switchbacks up the mountain OR you can find the shortcut trail that goes straight up the center! But fair warning, it's a leg burner! This portion of the loop will return to the parking lot on the opposite side of the upper creek trail. In total I logged 1.5 miles after visiting the sliding falls, main falls and lower raceway/overlook. *** FINAL THOUGHTS Upper Creek Falls in my opinion is 5+ stars despite its difficulty because of the multiple points of interest along the loop. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this waterfall to avid hikers! While I personally would have thought it to be too much for kids and elderly... we saw SEVERAL older couples in the area above the main falls as well as a school bus load of 6 to 12-year-olds trekking along the lower falls trail well ahead of their parents. There was also a very large family of about 20 members (all age ranges) picnicking at the lower overlook, so I guess its safe to say its doable for all ages and skill levels. If you have any energy left, to the northeast are: - Grandfather Mountain - Big Lost Cove Cliffs - Harper Creek Falls - Gragg Prong Falls - Huntfish Falls And to the southwest are: - Linville Falls & Linville Caverns ENJOY! 2021 / 116

    Photos
    Upper Creek Falls
    Upper Creek Falls
    Upper Creek Falls

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    Wildcat Rock Trail

    Wildcat Rock Trail

    4.5(2 reviews)
    20.9 mi

    We did this hike back in the winter and it wasn't crowded. There's a little bit of parking by the…read moretrailhead and a lot of people park along the street. If you're looking at AllTrails, we did Little Bearwallow via Wildcat Rock Trail. The trail is pretty steep and on the more strenuous side. It's 4.7 miles round trip if you follow the same path. If you only care about views, I would recommend going to the Wildcat Rock Overlook and turning around after that. It would be about 3 miles round trip. There are no views from the Little Bearwallow Summit. The Wildcat Rock Trail also continues to Bearwallow Mountain, but we didn't do that portion. I'd like to come back for it at some point.

    We were visiting Bat Cave, North Carolina. We had planned to hike Chimney Rock. As our luck would…read morehave it, the two days that we were in town, Chimney Rock was closed for maintenance. While we were driving from Asheville on our way back to Bat Cave later that day I spotted a new hiking trail head. Basically it is tucked right off the winding country highway. There is a sign, and some gravel parking. What I noticed while driving by were the cars parked there. So be on the lookout. We planned to hike it the next morning. We decided to get an early start. When we arrived before 8am, there were two cars parked in the gravel near the trail head. You start by crossing the road, you head down before (trust me) you go up the mountain. You can choose to hike just 1.1 miles to Little Bearwallow Falls. Or you can continue up to Wildcat Rock which is listed as basically 1.6 miles one way which sounds easy. But if you ask me it is straight up. The day we went it felt like we were hiking in the rain forest. We were sweating so much that sweat was dripping from our finger tips as we hiked up. I loved every minute of it. We were secluded and we were working hard. It felt so good. Once we reached Little Bearwallow Falls, we just knew that we needed to continue to the top. We needed to see something a little more spectacular. Once we reached the top to Wildcat Rock it was gorgeous. We stepped out of the foliage and we could see the valley below and the mountains in the distance. It was beautiful. We waited and we were lucky enough to see a bird soaring high above the mountain tops. It was the perfect hike for us. Strenuous yet providing the feeling of peace and accomplishment. We highly suggest checking out Wildcat Rock especially if Chimney Rock is too busy, or if money is a factor. There is no cost to enter at this trailhead unlike if you go to Chimney Rock. Also, take water.

    Photos
    Wildcat Rock Trail
    Wildcat Rock Trail
    Wildcat Rock Trail

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    Thermal Belt Rail Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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