© 1998 Jon Binder
Overview
Ratings (ratings explained)
Power: 5/10
Beauty: 7/10
Ease of Access: 6/10
There are actually three waterfalls at Glen Falls - the 70 foot upper falls, 60 foot middle falls, and 15 foot lower falls. All are accessible by a fairly steep, 3/4 mile trail.
Photos
Directions
From Highlands, take NC route 106 approximately 2 miles south from US 64. Turn left (south) at a sign for "Glens Falls Scenic Area." Follow Forest Road 1618 (gravel) to its dead-end at the parking area. The trail leads down to all of the falls - you are at the top of the series of falls when you park.
Description
Glen Falls is a great area. It seems like it is a little less visited then a lot of the other waterfalls in the area, like Dry Falls for example. The trail is pretty steep, though, and don't forget that it is going to be a lot harder to come back up than it was to walk down. All three falls are definitely worth the effort, however.
The trail first comes to a nice view at the top of the upper falls. It then begins zig-zagging down, to the base of the falls. This first falls, about 70 feet high, is the one pictured on this page. Depending on the water level, the falls can be split into two distinct parts, as it was when I was there. Continuing down the switchbacks, the 60 foot middle falls is reached next. It is the most beautiful of the three falls. The water cascades down a vast rock formation, creating an amazingly pleasant scene of countless little steps of water. Finally, the trail reaches the base of the third falls, the least exciting of all. It is a nice falls, with a little bit of a tropical flavor to it. But, if you are starting to worry about having difficulty climbing back up to your car, missing the third falls wouldn't be as bad as missing the other two.
Overall, Glen Falls is worth visiting despite the moderate difficulty that might be encountered on the return to the parking area. The switchbacks do make it easier to climb back up the steep slope, and the sight and sounds of the three waterfalls also make it quite tolerable.
<< Back to the List of North Carolina Waterfalls
Page Last Revised: March 31, 2002
