Whitewater Falls, also called Upper Falls,
plunges 411 feet, making it one of the highest falls east of the Rockies.
This waterfall is designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area
and is located in the southwest corner of the county on the border
of Jackson and Transylvania counties.
It's an easy walk on the paved trail to the
upper overlook for an excellent view of the Falls. The walkway begins
at the end of the parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. A
lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps. The best
views of the falls are from the two overlooks. More energetic hikers
can continue down the half-mile round trip spur trail that drops 600
feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. With
the exception of the two overlooks near the top, no other views of
the falls are offered.
The Foothills Trail stretches along the Blue
Ridge Cliffs in North Carolina and South Carolina for 85 miles. After
descending the spur trail, hikers may head east on the Foothills Trail
to South Carolina's Lower Whitewater Falls that drops another 400
feet. Because of the cliff's difficult access and rugged terrain,
much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped
over the years. The Highlands Ranger district of the Nantahala National
Forest manages a 4.5-mile segment of the Foothills Trail from the
NC-SC State line east of Whitewater Falls to the NC-SC State line,
west of the falls.
Caution :
For
those who wish to venture out near the brink of the falls, keep in
mind that Whitewater Falls claims more lives than any other in the
state. Some people who have ventured off the trail to try for better
views, tragically, fell to their deaths or suffered serious injuries
at Whitewater Falls. Please stay on the trails. Use good judgment
and caution while near all water falls at all times.
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