Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Trailhead — Attraction in Highlands

A nice hike down to a breathtaking waterfall. When the sun hits the water spray just right, a. rainbow arches up and over. The water is absolutely refreshing for a summer day. What better way to cool off from your hike than to jump in the water! I had such a great time playing around the fall, that I didn’t finish the hike up to turtleback. That just means I have to go back. The hike up and out will definitely take your breath away, and can be a endurance challenge. It is so worth it. This is one of my favorite waterfalls in NC. Great place to take a light picnic ♡ definitely take your water bottles. Please remember to carry out what you carry in! Plenty of parking at...

I'm not a hiker so for me to be able to do this almost 3 mile RT was quite an accomplishment. The path starts out fairly easy and when you get to "Leaving Gorges Park" sign it becomes difficult in that there are many 45 degree inclines, steep steps, tree roots to navigate around and lots of big rocks stuck in the ground to either walk on or trip over! The trip through the forest was delightful with canopies of Mountain Laurel and other trees to shade you the entire way. The hike is worth it though to this gorgeous cascading waterfall, plus you can climb down closer to the water on the big elephant sized boulders. Definitely bring a bottle of...

Rainbow Falls is absolutely worth the hike, but be prepared—it’s more challenging than the mileage suggests, especially with younger kids. It took us about 3–4 hours round-trip with two kids under ten. The trail is steep in several places, so sturdy shoes, snacks, and plenty of water are a must. Along the way, you get stunning views of the river, and the final lookout puts you so close to the falls you can actually feel the mist—such a cool experience! There are porta potties and picnic tables at the trailhead, which was super convenient. A great adventure for families who are up for a bit of a climb and want to be rewarded with some...