The Short 1-Mile Waterfall Staircase Trail In North Carolina That’s An Absolute Delight
Chasing waterfalls is one of our favorite activities in North Carolina – and there are so many waterfalls to discover! Once you’ve hiked this relatively easy trail to Otter Falls (found in the community of Seven Devils just west of Boone) you’ll want to come back again and again.
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The thing is: after a heavy rain, the water flowing over this series of falls is astounding and you'll want to see it.
But please take your first trip down this trail when there are less rainy and muddy conditions. Trust us: the views are just as pretty. And that beautiful new staircase you see over there? It leads down to a trail that follows the waterfall downstream.
Overall, the hike is rated easy to moderate. Most children over the age of 4 can manage. Bring your hiking sticks if you have them... the trail is almost all down hill. And while a great deal of the journey is filled with stairs like these or wooden steps...
The hike into Otter Falls is a scenic endeavor. Many stream crossings are perfect places to stop for photos, and there are benches available for a quiet rest along the way.
One huge advantage of which to be keenly aware is the fact that three loops exist on this trail. Be sure to take a photo of the map posted at the trailhead or you could end up walking the upper loop over and over and never see the falls. The map also allows you to take the shortest route possible down to the viewing platform at the top of the falls.
It's a nice family hike, no matter the season. In colder weather bundle up; and in warmer weather bring a towel because you won't be able to resist dipping your toes into the cold mountain water at the base of the waterfall.
You’ll find the trailhead for Otter Falls at 825 Skyland Dr., Seven Devils, NC 28604. The trail is open from dawn to dusk. You’ll find more information at this link from alltrails.com.
Discover 10 more easy to reach beautiful waterfalls in this previously published waterfall hikes article!
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
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