Rainbow Falls Trail Details

Activities
- Hike
- Trail Running
Mountain Biking not recommended or allowed.
Riding Area

Gorges State Park
Brevard, North Carolina
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond rate
Hiking SAC Scale

T2 Mountain Hiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Direction

Both Directions
Physical Rating

Hard
Dogs Allowed

Yes

This popular trail is jointly maintained by Gorges State Park and the Pisgah Ranger District. The trail accesses the Horse Pasture River and follows it upstream. The marked trail ends at Rainbow Falls, however hikers can continue upstream about 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls. Once the trail leaves Gorges State Park and enters the National Forest, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. There are signs to indicate when you are entering and leaving State Park property. Hikers should be aware of all State and Federal rules in these areas. Be aware that waterfalls can be extremely dangerous. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred along this trail. It is not recommended that anyone swim in the Horse Pasture River. Water levels can rise unexpectedly and even the best swimmers may be swept downstream by strong currents.

source: https://www.ncparks.gov/

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

More Stats for Rainbow Falls Trail multi-use trail trail

Altitude change

-105 ft
Altitude min

2,494 ft
Altitude max

2,923 ft
Altitude start

2,923 ft
Altitude end

2,818 ft
Grade

-1%
Grade max

-21.3%
Grade min

28.6%
Distance climb

3,694 ft
Distance down

1 mile
Distance flat

902 ft
Avg time

02:08:47
Avg reverse time

02:04:54
view trail stats

status	date	description
	Mar 30, 2023 @ 7:53am Mar 30, 2023
	Jul 9, 2022 @ 12:57pm Jul 9, 2022
	Apr 16, 2020 @ 3:47pm Apr 16, 2020	reporter COVID-19

Rainbow Falls Trail