Alarka Falls

This is a long tumbling cascade and slide, with a few free falling sections. Lots of ledges make for a bouncy ride on the way down, but it's far from vertical on the whole. Lush woods surround the falls and nice green moss covers most of the rocks. It's kind of hard to take in all from one vantage point and it's a lot higher than it looks in photos!

Directions

Driving

From Asheville, NC, take I-240 west to I-40 west and go 16.7 miles, past Canton. Take Exit 27 - US Hwy. 19/23/74 for Waynesville/Clyde, and the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway, and go 43.3 miles past Bryson City, NC. Take the exit for Alarka Road and turn left at the end of the ramp. Go under the highway and after about 0.3 miles, turn right to stay on Alarka Road. It's just under 9 1/2 miles to the end of Alarka Road, where the road basically ends and the trail begins.

Note: It may be quicker to take Deep Gap Road, which bypasses a twisty gravel portion of Alarka road, after 4 miles on Alarka Road, however. Deep Gap Road comes back out on Alarka Road after 2.7 miles.

Alarka Road dead-ends just past an old gated forest service road on the right, and after a crossing of Alarka Creek, in a small turn-around. The road leading to the left is a private drive. Park in the turn-around without blocking the drive.
Directions on Google Maps

Trail

Two trails go upstream along Alarka Creek over Jeep mounds; both join together soon so take either one. It's a short hike on an obvious trail of a little over 1/4 miles to the base of the falls. The trail gets pretty steep just below the falls, and blends in with the creek in spots as well. Also, there are a few rocks, logs, and roots to contend with but it's moderately difficult overall.