Asheville: Little Lost Cove Cliffs Loop
This 4.6-mile loop gets two thumbs up for its rushing cascades, sweet campsites, and two fine viewpoints overlooking Pisgah National Forest.
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Mapped by Tim Johnson
Trail Facts
- Distance: 7.4
Waypoints
Campsites below the falls
Location: 36.0032844543457, -81.8399047851562
©Tim Johnson
Above the drop
Location: 36.0044555664062, -81.8406753540039
©Tim Johnson
North Harper Creek Falls
Location: 36.0040512084961, -81.8402252197266
©Tim Johnson
Top of Falls
Location: 36.0048713684082, -81.841423034668
©Tim Johnson
Middle of falls
Location: 36.0047187805176, -81.8411102294922
©Tim Johnson
Second stream crossing
Location: 36.0071144104004, -81.8418273925781
©Tim Johnson
Stream Crossing
Location: 36.0071601867676, -81.8479080200195
©Tim Johnson
FR464
Location: 36.0116920471191, -81.8499984741211
©Tim Johnson
View looking west
Location: 36.0113563537598, -81.8356094360352
©Tim Johnson
View looking north
Location: 36.0114250183106, -81.8352279663086
Grandmother and Grandfather Mtns. in the distance. ©Tim Johnson
View looking east
Location: 36.0117568969727, -81.8323669433594
©Tim Johnson
Approaching the overlook
Location: 36.0111122131348, -81.8355865478516
©Tim Johnson
Old Apple Orchard
Location: 36.0119590759277, -81.829719543457
©Tim Johnson
Trail Sign
Location: 36.0104484558106, -81.8258361816406
©Tim Johnson
Old Homesite
Location: 36.0102920532227, -81.8269424438476
©Tim Johnson
Open Woods
Location: 36.0092277526856, -81.8293838500976
©Tim Johnson
LLC001
Location: 36.006950378418, -81.8511276245117
Descend E on steps, following winding trail along USFS boundary (marked with red paint) into bed of North Harper Creek. Wear waterproof shoes; four crossings ahead
LLC002
Location: 36.0071792602539, -81.8480224609375
Rock-hop across creek and continue along steep, slick hillside. Scan tree trunks for horizontal rows of small holes made by yellow-bellied sapsucker, a winter visitor
LLC003
Location: 36.0071105957031, -81.8418731689453
Second crossing over clear, rushing creek; next ford in .1 mi. among black birches (jagged, spearmint-flavored leaves)
LLC004
Location: 36.0051193237305, -81.8413619995117
Stick with blue-blazed N. Harper Creek Trail (266) as it heads L away from river. On R, short side trail leads to opening @ top of 200-ft. falls sliding over a sloping rock face
LLC005
Location: 36.0045890808106, -81.8392333984375
Go R @ 3-way downhill; follow double-blazed trail
LLC006
Location: 36.0032806396484, -81.8395462036133
Turn R on unmarked trail through a tunnel of rhododendron
LLC007
Location: 36.0041732788086, -81.8403091430664
N. Harper Creek Falls spills 25 ft. into pool. Return to WPT 5 and go R; in 1 mi., pass chimney of old homestead. Overnighters: Good campsite near falls
LLC008
Location: 36.0104103088379, -81.825813293457
L @ 3-way onto Little Lost Cove Cliffs Trail (271A); traverse crest of Long Ridge. Near top of Little Lost Cove Cliffs is old orchard filled with sassafras
LLC009
Location: 36.0114517211914, -81.8324432373047
Side trail to overlook; Grandmother, Grandfather Mtns. in distance
LLC010
Location: 36.0111999511719, -81.8354034423828
Spur on R leads to granite knob for hike’s best views over Big Lost Cove Ridge, Sassafras Knob, rolling Blue Ridge to N
LLC011
Location: 36.0119094848633, -81.8438262939453
L @ T on gravel FR 464
LLC012
Location: 36.009880065918, -81.8527069091797
L @ Y onto FR 58 near picnic/camping area. Cross bridge over tributary; return .3 mi. to trailhead
