Big Laurel Falls Franklin North Carolina

In a beautiful part of the Nantahala National Forest near Standing Indian Campground is this little jewel of a waterfall called Big Laurel Falls. A short .6 mile hike that follows the path of an old logging railroad, the trail meanders along a raging noisy Big Laurel Branch creek with lots of big boulders.

Although most books rate this trail as easy, I would say due to the root rutted trail it is more on the easy side of moderate. There are no steep grades on the hike only mild inclines and descents but the rough trail makes it a cautious hike in some areas making the half mile distance seem further then it is.

Once there however, you are rewarded with a beautiful falls and an overall enjoyable a hike with unusal trees and lots of rhodadendron along the way. One warning though, stop to look along the way or you may stumble on this trail. This one is worth the trip.