Take a short hike of 0.6 miles into the heart of the Nantahala National Forest (the biggest of North Carolina’s four national forests) to discover an incredible 50-foot waterfall hidden along a sharp bend in Big Creek near Highlands. The trailhead to Secret Falls is 6.5 miles southeast of Highlands and regardless of the time of year you make this trek, you’ll always find yourself standing in a positively beautiful nature scene upon arrival at the base of the falls.
During warm weather, it's commonplace to share this serene spot with others who hike into the falls just to cool off in the gorgeous plunge pool at the base.
The trail itself is best used from March to October to ensure you don't find yourself trying to navigate some crude elevation changes in conjunction with icy conditions.
It's not immediately obvious from just looking at photos, but the waterfall is so loud after a rain you may find yourself having to shout to carry on a regular conversation. Don't think of it as noise. Instead, just think of it as nature's symphony.
During the fall, the deciduous trees that lay a canopy around the surrounding terrain turn colors painting the landscape in bright hues before the leaves fall to the ground.
Make you way up to the top of the falls to see how Big Creek ambles toward the falls and then makes a sharp turn just as the creek billows over the 50-foot cascade.
