Graveyard Fields and Waterfalls (Second Falls and Upper Falls)

Driving directions**: From the college, drive right on Broad Street for several miles until you get to the Pisgah Forest intersection (near the Wal-Mart store). Turn left into Pisgah Forest (Route 276N). Continue for about 15-18 miles until you come to the intersection for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get on the parkway heading south (away from Asheville) and continue 7 miles on the Parkway to a parking lot on the right (Graveyard Fields Overlook). A sign there will show you a map of the area and you can take a long 2+ hour hike taking in both falls, or just take a short hike down to Second Falls. Refer to directions below. One of the most popular stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Can also be a great place to go during the autumn season (note the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed during winter snow and ice periods).

Hiking directions for a hike to Upper Falls first, then Second Falls: The trail to the Upper Falls is 3.2 miles round-trip, but is moderately easy, without much climbing. This hike is a good 2 hours, and could be much longer (4 hours) if you stop to rest, sit in the pools and soak in the sun. From the parking lot, take the far left trail down to go to Upper Falls first. The trail meanders through a flat open valley, crossing the stream as it follows it most of the way. It is uneven and can be muddy in places. The trail bears left after a foot bridge and you keep going for about .5 miles farther to Upper Falls. There is a steep climb up some rocks as you near the Upper Falls. There will be rocks suitable for sitting in the sun just below the 60 foot upper falls. A beauty rating of 7 or 8 (on a 10 point scale) has been by Kevin Adams, with a difficulty of 6. Return from upper falls the way you came, but to also go to 2^nd falls follow these directions when you come back to the foot bridge: Don’t cross the bridge but continue on the same side of the creek. You will eventually come to 2^nd falls. This falls has many places to sit and soak. You can walk to the bottom of the second falls by taking a series of six nice wooden staircases (each with about 11 stairs) to the pools below. It is a great place to soak you feet and relax and enjoy the view and the sun. To return to the parking lot, travel back up the stairs to the 2^nd Falls footbridge. Cross over that footbridge and it will be a short (about .3 mile), but steep walk up a paved path through rhododendron thickets to the parking lot.

Shorter alternative - Hiking directions to just go to the Second Falls: Instead of going to Upper Falls, there is a much shorter hike (.3 miles each way) to 2^nd Falls only. From the parking lot, take the far right trail down to go to a short distance down a paved path to second falls. It will go through rhododendron thickets and will lead to a footbridge near the falls. Cross over the footbridge and sit in the pools, if you’d like. You can also bear right after crossing the footbridge and take a path that leads to six wooden staircases (each with about 11 steps) that leads down to many nice pools at the bottom of the falls. In times of nice weather these pools may be crowded. To return, travel back the way you came (up the stairs, over the foot bridge and up the steep .3 mile paved path to the parking lot)

• *As always, when hiking you should always:
• Hike with someone
• Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing (carry rain gear)
• Carry water (and snacks)
• Have a map of the area (available downtown at the Forest Place or at Dolly’s ice cream shop (at the corner of 64, 276 and 280, near Walmart)

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