Chasing waterfalls in North Carolina affords many opportunities to get outside and reconnect with Mother Nature. Some trails, as you’d imagine, are heavily-trafficked but still worthy of the effort. But sometimes, a little solitude makes all the difference in the quality of the time you spend on the trail. If you’re seeking a fantastic journey that leads to one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the Tar Heel State, then plan to hike the Picklesimer Rock House Falls Trail, just 20 minutes southwest of Highlands.

This underrated trail leads to an old rock house cave that was reportedly used as a hideout for Civil War soldiers. Over its' 40-foot ledge, a waterfall either drizzles or pours, depending upon recent rainfall amounts.
alltrails/Jennifer Moss
The trail is rated as easy by AllTrails, a great hiking app that you can download on your phone to help guide you to the trailhead and on the hike itself.
alltrails/Sergiy Serdyuk
Once the dirt road forks at the information sign, you'll see the trailhead a short distance ahead on the left.
alltrails/Brian McCarty
The trail is more of a loop that sometimes folds back into the same trail on the return trip.
The total length, out and back, is only 1.2 miles. At the far end of the loop is the Picklesimer Rock House - an impressive cave-like hideaway where you can walk behind the waterfall. Standing within the rock surround can be a surreal experience, and kids love playing within the vast cave.
alltrails/Santana Fulk

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Reportedly a hideout for soldiers during the Civil War, the history of Picklesimer Rock House is impressive enough all on its own...
alltrails/Justin P
... but the 40-foot waterfall makes it all the more worthy of this little hike.
alltrails/Brian McCarty
Picklesimer Rock House Falls Trail has an overall elevation change of a mere 164 feet.
alltrails/Justin P
The trail is best used from April through December, but is accessible all year long.
Google Maps
There have been reports from recent users that a couple of trees have fallen over the trail as you make the final approach to the falls. Be prepared to climb over or under them if they haven't been removed yet.

Few adventures in the wilds of North Carolina are quite as fulfilling as chasing waterfalls. Have you discovered the best kept secret trail near Highlands and hiked out to Picklesimer Rock House Falls yet? We’d love to know and to see your amazing photos uploaded in our Facebook comments! Learn more about this trail and get a map to the trailhead by visiting our friends at AllTrails.com.

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