Posted in North Carolina Nature August 03, 2019 by

Hike This Stairway To Nowhere In North Carolina For A Magical Woodland Adventure

Just outside the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina side, there’s a stairway hike that seemingly leads to nowhere. It’s found on the Cherokee Indian Reservation in the Quolla Boundary and is part of the Cherokee’s historic territory. Found here, not far inside the reservation, is a stairway to nowhere that really does take you on a magical adventure!

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Visiting here, and this stairway hike, is a privilege you'll thoroughly enjoy.
TripAdvisor/Deborah Buchanan
The directions are found below. The parking area is located just steps from a main road and is located just across a wonderful little bridge.
Once parked, you'll see it:
Google maps/jim catalfamo
The stairway goes on and on — and UP — for as far as the eye can see. Of course, there is a sign at the bottom that clearly states what's at the top, but we won't spoil it for you just yet...
There are precisely 161 well-constructed steps that lead up the side of the mountain.
alltrails/Victor Jordan
Getting to the top can best be conquered if you take your time and pace yourself. Step to the side and let those better suited to running up the stairs pass. Just know that, if you need it, there's a bench awaiting at the top.
Once at the top, and after a short and bumpy trail (there are quite a few rocks), you'll arrive at a bridge.
TripAdvisor/Dan
A few more carefully planned steps will carry you to the top of the delightful little footbridge.
By now you'll have heard the falls and our spoiler alert won't be necessary.
TripAdvisor/985monicag
The views in this wooded wonderland extend from both sides of the bridge. In the summer, it's a moss-covered paradise up here. In the fall, the colors of autumn are magnificent.
And all those stairs you climbed in good faith will pay off once you reach the bridge.
Google maps/Timothy Whittaker
The bridge serves as an overlook at the base of what the Cherokee call Big Bear Falls.
Also known as Mingo Falls, this natural wonder drops 120 vertical feet on an angled cascade that flows at least 200 feet.
Google maps/Rick Repp
And it's gorgeous in any weather.
During periods of high rain, the water gushes over the falls, creating a spray that fills the area.
TripAdvisor/Deborah Buchanan
In the winter, if you dare to hike the frozen stairs (just be careful!), you just may get a glimpse of the frozen Big Bear Falls. (A note of caution: if you decide to wander off the trail to get closer, these rocks are super slippery.)
When you've completely satisfied your slack-jawed reaction to finding this massive waterfall at the top of a set of stairs that are taller than the waterfall itself...
TripAdvisor/KHobba
...you get to turn around and tackle that set of winding stairs all over again. Only this time... you'll be going down, instead of up.

Have you hiked the endless stairway up to Big Bear Falls (a.k.a. Mingo Falls)? What did you think?

This hike begins on the Cherokee Indian Reservation just outside of Cherokee, NC. For more information about the hike, see this link on alltrails.com.

Parking area Address: Sherrill Cove Road, Cherokee, NC, 28719

North Carolina is brimming with magical waterfalls to explore. Keep reading here for a town park with a huge, must-see waterfall, and here to learn about a horseback waterfall tour in North Carolina!