Moore Cove Falls trail

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Looking to hike the Moore Cove Falls trail in North Carolina?

After a while, not on the trip but after, the waterfalls and the trails all blur together a little bit but the Moore Cove Falls trail is one I distinctly remember, even though it was firmly in the middle of all the waterfalls we saw.

Towards the end of our time in Brevard we finally decided to hike the Moore Cove Falls trail. After all, we had driven past it like ten times.

It was one of those hikes that I was always like we have to do that but wasn’t in a huge rush to actually do but we had some time to fill so off we went.

It was a busy enough trail since it’s right on a busy highway close to lots of other cool things. It’s a fairly easy trail without much elevation gain but, like a lot of other trails in the area, it can be a little rocky, rooty, and uneven in spots.

moore cove falls north carolina — Don’t be like this guy and just stand behind Moore Cove Falls for like ten minutes

For most of the trail you’re just walking along the creek, occasionally crossing over it on little bridges.

It’s a fairly uneventful hike and I don’t really have any strong feelings about it either way, which is also how I feel about Moore Cove Falls itself, too.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad waterfall. I love the pictures of it, but in person I was a little let down. It was also just kind of busy in the small viewing area.

And there was a kid just standing under the falls doing nothing for way too long while a bunch of people were waiting to take pictures. He wasn’t having his picture taken. Not even sitting and enjoying it, just standing there.

Don’t do that unless you’re the only people there. It’s annoying and poor outdoor etiquette (I think. Let me know if you disagree.) We spent a few minutes checking them out before heading back.

While I may have been underwhelmed by it, I’m still glad we went to see it. It’s just one of those things I had to do eventually and this last October turned out to be eventually.

Where is the Moore Cove Falls trailhead?

The Moore Cove Falls trailhead is on Highway 276, right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trailhead is right by the parking area with a sign and gate.

It’s just 20 minutes from Brevard and about an hour from Asheville in the beautiful Pisgah National Forest.

It’s a great hike to do if you’re going to see Looking Glass Falls or Looking Glass Rock since it’s just a two minute drive away.

It’s also fairly close to Daniel Ridge Falls, Cove Creek Falls, and Log Hollow Falls. Looking Glass Rock, Falls on Grogan Creek, and Graveyards Fields Loop Trail are also nearby.

Where do you park for Moore Cove Falls?

There is a small parking area for maybe 10-20 cars depending on how they’re parked. People may park along the road in the fall, but I’m not sure. There may not be room for that near the Moore Cove Falls trail.

How long is the Moore Cove Falls trail?

The Moore Cove Falls hike is about 1.5 miles, maybe 1.2. It’s not super long, that’s round-trip, which is good.

It’s a short hike and it’s pretty easy with only about 150 feet of elevation gain. It’s uneventful enough that I didn’t take pictures of it.

How long do you need for the Moore Cove Falls trail?

I would say an hour should be good. I know we weren’t there very long and the hike was pretty easy and short. Maybe more if you stop and stay a while or walk slow but an hour should be good. It’s the perfect filler hike.

How tall is Moore Cove Falls?

Moore Cove Falls is about 50 feet high but it’s narrow and not quite as rushing as Looking Glass Falls.

Moore Cove Falls opening hours

Moore Cove Falls is open all the time!

Moore Cove Falls entrance fee

Moore Cove Falls is free! There is no entrance fee.

Is the Moore Cove Falls trail busy?

It wasn’t as busy as Looking Glass Falls but it does get pretty good traffic since it’s an easy short hike right off of a busy scenic drive in the Pisgah National Forest.

Is the Moore Cove Falls trail worth it?

Yes, if you have an hour or so that you need to fill but if it’s between Moore Cove Falls and something else nearby, I would probably go with the something else.

But it still deserves a spot on your North Carolina bucket list (even if other things are better.)

I’m glad we saw it and looking at pictures I think I like it more than I do, but I know when we were there I was pretty underwhelmed, but it could have been the kid just standing under it while everyone waited to take pictures.

What to bring on the Moore Cove Falls trail

Hiking poles – These will be helpful on longer hikes that are on the steeper side. They’ll be good if you have bad knees for when you’re going downhill and will give you something to lean on going up the hills.

Water bottle – It’ll be hot and you’ll need to stay hydrated. Even if it’s not hot you need to stay hydrated. A Hydro Flask will keep your water ice cold all day long.

Sunscreen – If you plan on being outside, you’ll want sunscreen. I like the Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch a lot AND it’s reef safe! If you’re sensitive to fragrance though, it’s not a good choice. I also like the same one but specifically for your face.

Hat – You’ll want some kind of hat to keep the sun out of your eyes, or a visor. A baseball hat should be fine but I like my giant sun hat, too.

Sunglasses – This is a must no matter where you are.

Light Jacket – Because you just never know. Weather can change quickly depending on where you are, time of day, and season. I usually use my rain jacket for this.

Headlamp – I tend to carry my headlamp around all the time when we’re hiking, just in case.

Where to stay in Brevard

Holiday Inn Express – This is a great chain option located right on the outskirts of Brevard. They serve a typical hotel breakfast and it’s in a prime location for exploring a ton of hiking trails in the area.

Kanuga Inn & Lodging – This is a gorgeous stone lodge situated by Kanuga Lake just outside Hendersonville, a few miles east of Brevard. The best part? They’re pet-friendly and even have tennis courts and a terrace.

The Greystone Inn – It’s another modern rustic option, located just a few miles southwest of Brevard on the breathtaking Lake Toxaway. The Greystone Inn serves up a tasty breakfast, and they’ve got a restaurant and bar right on the premises, too!

Comfort Inn & Suites – If you’re looking for a no-frills, straightforward option, this is the place for you. It’s another reliable chain hotel with breakfast. It might not be fancy, but it’s comfortable, gets the job done, and you’ll love its convenient location for those nearby hikes.

One thought on “Moore Cove Falls Trail: An Easy Waterfall Hike In Brevard, North Carolina”

Greg Robison says:

April 12, 2021 at 9:00 pm

I agree, very poor taste to stand at the base of a waterfall and disturb other people from taking photos.

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