Name: Mooney Falls
Rating: 4

Hikes Map Explore

Mooney Falls Nantahala National Forest, NC

LENGTH 0.3 MILES

DIFFICULTY 0.5 Easy

DURATION 15 minutes

ELEVATION GAIN

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Mooney Falls

A powerful 15 foot falls roars along Hemp Patch Branch deep in the Nantahala National Forest on this short trail. This is a perfect quick hike to combine with other hikes in the area like Albert Mountain, Pickens Nose or Big Laurel Falls.

Park along the Forest Service road at the sign for the falls. The trail begins at the sign, heading down a couple short switchbacks. After about 350 feet the trail splits. Straight takes you to the top of the falls and to the right, below the falls.

At the base of Mooney Falls you'll get the best view of this small but powerful waterfall. Be careful along wet rocks here as you venture closer at the very end of the trail. As a short trail that doesn't pull a big crowd, there's a good chance you'll have it all to yourself.

Mooney Falls.
Park along the Forest Service Road. Look for the sign.

Mooney Falls.
The trail begins at the sign, heading down from the road.

Mooney Falls.
Be careful on wet rocks as you approach the base of Mooney Falls.

Mooney Falls.
The trail ends at the base of Mooney Falls.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

255 ft

19 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

263 ft

29 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

135 ft

21 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

90 ft

18 ft

For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.

Terrain Map Click to control map

Navigation

Details

length0.3 miles

difficulty0.5 Easy

duration15 minutes

features Dog Friendly Waterfall

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeNone

elevation gain70 ft.

state North Carolina

park/forestNantahala National Forest

ranger districtNantahala Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-6441

parking feeNone

trailhead coordinates 35.028845, -83.497952 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°1.73, W 83°29.88 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 35°1'44'', N 35°1'44'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 35°1.73, W 83°29.88

Google Map It

From the US-64 side you will have to cross a concrete slab ford. I was able to make it in a sedan but after heavy rain a 4WD vehicle may be necessary. The Forest Service roads in general are fine for 2WD low ground clearance vehicles but coming from the US-23 side may be a little rougher as it is steeper and can get washed out.

Parking Capacity

4-5 vehicles.

Notes

Be careful around wet slippery rocks at the base of the falls.

Nearby Hikes

Big Laurel Falls

1.1 mi

1.4

Albert Mountain via Mooney Gap

Standing Indian Mountain

Similar Hikes

Upper Whitewater Falls

0.5 mi

1.2

Fort Mountain Big Rock Trail

0.5 mi

1.1

Warwoman Dell Trail System

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4 (1)

New Review New Comment

hikethesouth-4 years ago

Make It A Combo

This isn't worth the drive just for this hike, unless you just want a nice forest drive and a short hike. But this is great to combine with the other amazing hikes in the area. Albert Mountain, Pickens Nose, or Big Laurel Falls are all within minutes of this hike.

Easy | Hiked Spring 2019

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.