Less Than Three Mile Hikes
Bell Park Nature Trail (Easy)
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 12 minutes
This 1.8 mile trail with 262 feet of elevation, offers an observation deck with a bench beside a waterfall and rolling trails through the forest.
Historic Carl Sandburg Site: Little Glassy and Memminger Trail Loop (Easy to Moderate)
Location | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 13 minutes
The Carl Sandburg Site has a variety of trails and the Little Glassy Hike is approximately two miles. You can find the map at the trailhead.
Little Bradley Falls (Easy)
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 21 minutes
This 2 mile (out & back) hike takes you to a beautiful waterfall. The All Trails route makes it easy to follow, even though the trail isn’t super well-marked. Note: There are a couple of creek crossings, so I recommend wearing water shoes (chacos or astrals) or take a small towel in case you need to take off your shoes and cross.
Jones Gap State Park: Jones Gap Falls (Easy to Moderate)
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 23 minutes
Location | All Trails Link
This 3 mile out & bike trail gains 400 feet. This trail is a great alternative to the strenuous Rainbow Falls Trail in Jones Gap. Please note: A parking pass is required for entry on Saturdays & Sundays. Click on this link for a weekend parking pass.
Dupont State Forest: Waterfall Tour – Triple Falls + High Falls + Hooker Falls (Easy to Moderate)
Location| All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 34 minutes
Out & Back hike (2.3 miles with 318 feet in elevation gain) to view Triple Falls and High Falls. Be sure to hike down to the bottom of High Falls – it is stunning! Upon return, from the same parking lot, you can take a short trail to view Hooker Falls, less than one mile in total distance with 137 feet of elevation gain. Below Hooker Falls is a fantastic swimming hole.
Timing Your Visit: Visiting on weekdays is ideal, versus weekends as the parking lots become very crowded. If you go on the weekend, I recommend going early around 9 a.m. or later in the evening.
Bearwallow Mountain (Easy to Moderate )
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 40 minutes
2.1 mile out and back with 587 feet of elevation gain that offers exceptional views. There are nearly 360 degree views of Henderson County and surrounding mountains.
Pisgah National Forest: Moore Cove Falls Trail (Easy)
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 51 minutes
This beautiful Out & Back (1.2 miles, 154 elevation gain) walk should take less than one hour.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower Hike (Easy to Moderate)
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 1 hour
1.5 miles, 357 ft elevation gain with a stunning 360 degree view of the Blue Ridge mountains & fall color at the top of the tower.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Black Balsam Knob (Easy to Moderate)
Location | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 1 hour & 20 minutes
This 1.4 mile loop with 354 feet of elevation gain boasts some of the best views in the area!
Blue Ridge Parkway: Sam Knob Trail (Moderate)
Location | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 1 hour & 20 minutes
This 2.5 mile out & back hike with 564 elevation gain. The trail goes through a beautiful meadow and ends at an overlook with beautiful views!
3+ Mile Hikes:
Historic Carl Sandburg Site: Big Glassy, Little Glassy, and Memminger Trail Loop (Moderate)
Location | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 13 minutes
This 4.5 miles, 807 ft elevation gain, with a view of mountains at the top of Big Glassy. Currently, the bridge is out by the lake, so you will be re-routed slightly, making this hike closer to 4 miles, about 1.5 hours.
Jones Gap State Park: Rainbow Falls (Hard)
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 23 minutes
Location | All Trails Link
This 4.4 mile out & bike trail gains 1,1181 feet. While the trail is steep, the views of the falls are worth the climb. Please note: A parking pass is required for entry on Saturdays & Sundays. Click the link on the website for a weekend parking pass.
Trombatore Trail (Hard)
Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 40 minutes4.8 mile out and back trail with 1,227 feet of elevation gain. The trail offers a vigorous hike with considerable up-and-down elevation change, through a forest with clear mountain streams. When you reach Blue Ridge Pastures, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Bearwallow Mountain.
Pisgah National Forest: Cap Gat Trail to John Rock Loop (Moderate)
Parking Lot | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 53 minutes
This moderate 5.6 mile trail is a Loop with 1,085 feet of elevation gain. The John Rock Overlook is one of the best in Pisgah Forest! I recommend taking the trail counter-clockwise for a moderate ascent.
Pisgah National Forest:Daniel Ridge Loop (Moderate)
Parking Lot | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 57 minutes
This moderate 4.5 mile loop trail is a local’s favorite! I recommend taking the loop counter-clockwise if you want to swim! The swimming hole is a little tricky to find, but as you’re on the back half of the trail coming downhill, it is about one mile from the parking lot. You’ll notice a campsite close to the river, with a steep scramble down to the swimming hole.
Dupont State Forest: Big Rock to Cedar Rock Trail (Moderate)
Parking Lot Location | All Trails Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 35 minutes
This 3.6 mile loop with 482 feet of elevation gain is a fantastic hike to a beautiful overlook at Cedar & Big Rocks and then it follows the river along closer to the end for a peaceful walk. The top of Big Rock is also a fantastic place to watch the sunset!
Tips: If it has been raining a lot, the bottom of the trail will be waterlogged, so I recommend turning this hike into an out & back at the top of Big Rock, versus the full loop (or be prepared with water shoes).
Blue Ridge Parkway: Black Balsam Knob + Tennet Mountain (Moderate)
Parking Lot | All Trails Map Link
Distance from Tuxedo Falls: 1 hour & 20 minutes
This 4.3 mile loop boasts some of the best views in the area!