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Home » Moore Cove Falls: An Easy Hike to a Beautiful Walk Behind Waterfall

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Moore Cove Falls: An Easy Hike to a Beautiful Walk Behind Waterfall

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Moore Cove Falls is an easy, inviting hike to an enchanting waterfall that you can walk behind, perfect for anyone who loves nature and feeling like a kid.

Some waterfalls overwhelm with ferocity; Moore Cove Falls is not one of those waterfalls. It is an easy place to get to and an easy place to be.

Inviting and calm instead of dangerous and thrilling. It has a unique appeal and I think if you decide to visit you will find the subdued adventure no less exciting.

Moore Cove Falls over stony alcove and blue sky.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

Moore Cove Falls Hike

Length: 1.2 miles Elevation Gain: 150 ft Difficulty: Easy

Great For: Families, Photography, Relaxing

Location: Pisgah National Forest on Pisgah Highway

When to Visit: Spring, Summer, Fall

How we Rate it: 4/5, there is so much you get out of the short time it takes to arrive at the waterfall.

Finding the Trail

Finding Moore Cove Falls is easy enough since it’s directly on Pisgah Highway.

If traffic is light on the highway, the trip to the trailhead is very pleasant. In fact, Looking Glass Falls is only one mile away from Moore Cove Falls and can be viewed from the road.

If you are using GPS be sure to slow down as you approach the parking area.

You’ll see a pullout on the right side of the road with a picnic table about half a mile before the trailhead if you are coming from Looking Glass Falls. The road curves soon after and you will come to the trailhead as you exit the curve.

The parking spots are along the side of the highway and on busy weekends it can be tricky finding a spot.

Hitting the Trail

Wooden bridge at the beginning of Moore Cove Falls with railing leading to forest.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

There is a trail board with information about Moore Cove Falls, including safety tips, before you cross a footbridge onto the trail.

The hike begins with a brief climb including some stairs, but after that it is pretty level the rest of the way.

Wooden stairs along Moore Cove Falls through forest with blue sky overhead.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

Moore Creek snakes along the hike with you and you cross it several times before reaching the falls.

Footbridge on Moore Cove Falls Trail over marshy turf through the forest with person walking away in the distance.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

I enjoyed all the small bridges during the hike and being near the creek. It doesn’t take long to reach the falls.

Moore Cove Falls from lower trail to alcove.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

At the end of the trail there is a viewing platform where you can watch the thin creek shower into the pool below.

Although the creek is wider and deeper at the waterfall, it is not quite deep enough for swimming.

If you are feeling adventurous, you can explore the alcove behind the waterfall without getting wet.

Make sure you observe safe practices near the waterfall and be aware of your personal ability and experience level.

Stay off slick rocks, don’t attempt to climb the waterfall, pay close attention to your children, and be aware of your surroundings and weather conditions.

Moore Cove Falls from side angle with dark rock alcove behind.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

If it’s been raining recently, the rocks near the waterfall may be too slick to walk on. If that’s the case, you can still enjoy a beautiful up-close view of the waterfall from the viewing platform.

Behind Moore Cove Falls in alcove with blue sky above.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

Our kids love coming here because they can explore and find that sense of wonder. Honestly, I like coming here for the same reason.

Children playing in alcove behind waterfall.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

I love hiking and being in nature because it connects me back to the curious kid I used to be.

Moore Cove Falls will transport you if you let it. Each footbridge is a door taking you deeper and deeper into a magical place that children haven’t lost the way to and adults hope to find.

Children playing in stony alcove.
Photo by Blue Ridge Awaits

Read More – Triple Falls and High Falls: Dupont State Forest’s Best Waterfall Hike

After the Hike

If after the hike you are still up for exploration, Brevard is only 20 minutes from the trail head. I had fun going to MANtiques and my kids loved O.P. Taylors toy shop (ok, secretly I did too).

Another option is to check out Log Hollow and Discovery Falls. The trail head for Log Hollow and Discovery Falls is only about a 15 minute drive from Moore Cove Falls trailhead.

Moore Cove Falls from side angle with dark rock alcove behind. "Moore Cove Falls a quick & easy hike in NC" superimposed on picture.


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