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HORSEPASTURE RIVER

LOCATION:  Western North Carolina
HIKE STARTS:  NC 281
HIKE ENDS:  NC 281
TOTAL DISTANCE:  6.2 Miles
HIKE TYPE:  In and Out, Backtrack Hike
HIKE DIFFICULTY:  Moderate to Difficult
TRAILS USED:  Rainbow Falls, Windy Falls
TRAIL TRAFFIC:  Light to Moderate
TRIP TYPE:  Day or Overnight Hike
MANAGEMENT:  Nantahala National Forest

HIGHLIGHTS:  Gorges State Park is one of North Carolina's newest state parks, and the property was recently purchased by the state from Duke Energy Corporation.  The transaction created a 2,900-acre gameland managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and a 7,100-acre state park with plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in the eastern United States. 

This hike along the Horsepasture River starts at NC 281 and descends out of Gorges State Park and into the Nantahala National Forest.  The path continues past Turtleback Falls then on to Rainbow Falls, one of the most scenic waterfalls in the southeast.  Those with excellent route finding skills can continue deeper into the Nantahala National Forest and follow the trail to Windy Falls which drops nearly 500 feet over a series of cascades.  Many of the state park's facilities are still being developed, so information, rules and regulations are subject to change.  It is 6.2 miles roundtrip to Windy Falls and about three miles roundtrip to Rainbow Falls which can be mobbed in the summer months.

North Carolina Hiking TrailsNorth Carolina Hiking Trails, 4th North Carolina Road Atlas  North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer

MORE DETAILS

bullet click to see trail photos from this hike along the Horsepasture River: August 2, 2008, February 10, 2001 PV
bullet click to view a trip report of this walk in the Nantahala National Forest: August 2, 2008February 10, 2001 (password required)
bullet click to read a photo journal from this camping trip near Windy Falls: August 24, 2002 (password required)
bullet click to view maps of this trip near Gorges State Park: area map, detailed map (password required), park map, profile map, TopoZone map
bulletclick for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
bulletclick to access the guidebook North Carolina Hiking Trails which has details on this destination
bulletclick for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
bulletclick for other hikes in Gorges State Park
bulletclick here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination 

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