Outbound Collective logo

Mills River, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Mills River? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mills River. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Mills River

  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Hike to Jones Gap Falls

    8.2 mi / 1200 ft gain
    For Caesar's Head State Park access, head North from Pickens on HWY 178 until it intersects with HWY 11. Turn right onto HWY 11 North and continue for 10 miles until the 276 intersection where you veer off to the left. Follow 276 to the top of the mountain. 1 miles past the Caesars Head Visitors ...
    Read more
  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Raven Cliff Falls

    4.5
    7.76 mi / 2185 ft gain
    Location: From the intersection of US276 & SC11, head Northwest on US276.  Drive to the top of the mountain, 1 mile past the visitor's center, and The Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area and trail head will be on your right.  After parking in the Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area, the trailhead is l...
    Read more
  • Balsam Grove, North Carolina

    Devil's Courthouse

    4.7
    0.85 mi / 246 ft gain
    The Devil's Courthouse Overlook and Trail can be one of the best places to see the entire Blue Ridge countryside. Even though it is a short hike, there is a fairly steep incline halfway through, so be prepared to huff and puff a little. It takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes depending upon your ...
    Read more
  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Caesars Head Overlook

    5.0
    0.27 mi / 144 ft gain
    The Drive: Head North on SC Highway 11 "Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway" towards Table Rock State Park. Follow SC 11 past Table Rock approximately 8 miles where it will merge with SC 8 at Pumpkin Town. Follow SC 8 for another 3-4 miles until you see the intersection for SC Highway 276 on the le...
    Read more
  • Lake Lure, North Carolina

    Boulder at Rumbling Bald

    4.5
    1.5 mi
    Located off of Boys Camp Rd. in Lake Lure, North Carolina, Rumbling Bald is a huge boulder yard that has been in use since the 1970's and has begun to flourish. Conveniently at the trail head is a gravel parking lot with three Port A Johns to use. Make sure you get to the parking lot early thou...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Hike to Bubling Spring Falls

    0.1 mi / 50 ft gain
    The road to get to this waterfall is right off of NC 215 which comes right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is only about 3 miles away from parkway. The parking area is very small and does not offer many parking spots but since it is not that popular of an area parking is usually not a problem. ...
    Read more
  • Balsam Grove, North Carolina

    Hike to Courthouse Falls

    4.7
    0.07 mi / 40 ft gain
    First off, I want to say although the road is gravel it is accessible for 2WD cars you do not need a 4WD car to access this hike. The trail begins just over the bridge that crosses Panther Branch Creek. Just over the bridge there is a pullout where you can park that should fit at least 3 cars. Th...
    Read more
  • Lake Lure, North Carolina

    Hike to Party Rock

    4.5
    2.4 mi / 1549 ft gain
    This hike is a strenuous 2.4 miles that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. The trail is not maintained--it is an old logging road--so there are lots of loose rocks and you frequently have to hop over the washout/creek. However, the difficulty on the way up is extremely rewarding at the top!The tr...
    Read more
  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

    3.0
    1.03 mi / 266 ft gain
    Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cleveland, South Carolina.
    Read more
  • 150 Asbury Drive, South Carolina

    Hike the Asbury Trail to Moonshine Falls

    5.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    The trail to the Matthews Creek cable bridge crossing is easy. The cable crossing is fine - fun for some and a do-able challenge for others.  After the creek, to get to Moonshine Falls, turn RIGHT at the post which indicates a trail both left and right. This is the Naturaland Trail in Caesars Hea...
    Read more
  • Tuckasegee, North Carolina

    Hike to Dill Falls

    0.4 mi / 400 ft gain
    The drive to this waterfall can be a little muddy when there is a lot of rain and can need an AWD or 4WD in the rain. The road has some new gravel laid in parts so it could be improved in a few months. In the summer there is also a chance of seeing large dump trucks and logging trucks, but the ro...
    Read more
  • Montreat, North Carolina

    Hike Lookout Mountain, Montreat

    5.0
    1.1 mi / 623 ft gain
    Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Montreat, North Carolina. Just down the road from Asheville, it neighbors Black Mountain and doesn't disappoint for views. Montreat itself houses a plethora of hiking trails, but the cream of the crop HAS to be Lookout Mountain. After a weekend of checking o...
    Read more
  • Black Mountain, North Carolina

    Craggy Pinnacle Trail

    4.8
    1.03 mi / 285 ft gain
    I usually spend the day visiting restaurants and breweries around Asheville. Before it gets late, so you can enjoy the views, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway located right outside the city. After about 30 minutes on the parkway, you will park at the Craggy Pinnacle parking lot Milepost 364.1. Fro...
    Read more
  • Old Fort, North Carolina

    Catawba Falls

    4.8
    2.19 mi / 394 ft gain
    Please note, Catawba Falls is temporarily closed. You can learn more about updates at www.fs.usda.gov. This quick and relatively easy hike is located close to Asheville, NC. If you're looking to have the trail to yourself, it can be a little tough. It's best to get there as early as possible or ...
    Read more
  • Pickens, South Carolina

    Backpack the Foothills Trail through the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains

    5.0
    76.2 mi / 11036 ft gain
    Starting at Table Rock State Park (South Carolina) and working your 76.2 miles way towards Oconee State Park (South Carolina) is the most popular route, with a few spur trails that lead to places like Raven Cliff Falls in Cesar's Head State Park. The trail gains ~11,036 feet in elevation with ano...
    Read more
  • Pickens, South Carolina

    Hike to Table Rock Mountain

    4.5
    7.2 mi / 2433 ft gain
    While the Piedmont Foothills may sound deceptive, this is no easy trail. The first two miles of the Table Rock Trail take you soaring through the trees at a rapid pace. The trail is extremely well kept, but harsh and tough. A little before the two mile marker is a wooden shelter which is a great ...
    Read more