SCHOOLHOUSE FALLS (VIA COLD MOUNTAIN GAP)
Nantahala National Forest
Highlands Ranger District
2010 Flat Mountain Rd,
Highlands, N.C. 28741
(828) 526-3765
The National Forest Service acquired Panthertown Valley in 1989 from Duke Power in a deal coordinated by the Nature Conservancy. Surprisingly, the area is still relatively wild with no blazes on the trails and only a few primitive campsites. However there are an amazing number of waterfalls that are packed into a relatively small area and they many have pools at their base which make for a great place to swim or fish. Just make sure you take a map and compass on your hike. There are many intersecting trails in the area and route finding can be difficult.
This backtrack hike takes you to Schoolhouse Falls about 1.3 miles from the trailhead. The two-story waterfall is formed by Greenland Creek, the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River. Schoolhouse Falls – true to it’s name – actually falls and shoots over a rock outcrop in Greenland Creek. This is unique since most waterfalls slide or cascade down a rock face. For a close-up view, a narrow trail leads behind the waterfall where you can stand behind the feature and view the beach area to the north. These falls are frequented by numerous day hikers from Lake Towaway which borders Panthertown to the Southeast. So don’t expect a lot of solitude here, but the falls are a great destination – particularly for those hikers looking for a short excursion for the family. This hike is particularly “cool” in 1 1/2 feet of untracked snow in the middle of the winter!
- click to see video from this hike: Looking down on Schoolhouse Falls, 360 view of the falls, Drone video from the porch at Lake Toxaway
- click to see trail photos from this trip to Panthertown Valley: January 20, 2022
- click to view a trip report for this day-hike to Schoolhouse Falls: January 20, 2022 (password required)
- click to view more videos, photos, and trip reports from Schoolhouse Falls
- click to view or add a brief trip report for other hiking trips to Panthertown
- click to view hiking and backpacking maps for Panthertown Valley: area map, detailed map (password required)
- click to see a map of the entire Panthertown Valley trail system (password required)
- click to purchase the Panthertown U.S. Forest Service map
- click to see the Panthertown USFS project map
- click for news articles from this hike past Schoolhouse Falls: November 15, 2003 (password required)
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook North Carolina Hiking Trails which has details on this destination
- click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
- click for other hikes in Panthertown Valley
Speak Your Mind