Highlights

•  Trail starts out as a grassy roadbed and is 1.4 miles in distance 
•  Moderate climb of only 200 feet or so 
•  Leads to multiple waterfalls on the Tuckasegee headwaters 
•  Nice primitive campsites in this area

The Local Scoop

We highly recommend the Devil's Elbow Trail #448 due to it's easy grade and because it has 3 very nice waterfalls located just off of the main trail. However, keep in mind that you'll have to park your bike somewhere before attemping the side trails and partila wading you will need to do to get the best viewpoints for the falls. Be sure to pack extra river shoes and possible a towel. Also, bring your cameras and any other gear you mihgt want to bring along. We suggest taking advantage of some of the fantastic primitive campsites in this area. Be sure to respect the area by using the existing fire rings and packing out what you have packed in. We recommend accessing this trail by the East Parking Area to the valley that has been layed out for you in my local directions, please pay close attention to the details there. If staying for multiple days you'll be sure to run into other hikers, bikers and maybe even some horseback riders. This trail along with others are multiple use trails in the valley so please be aware of this. Also, if staying for multiple days take advantage of all of the connecting trails that can lead you to other exciting locations in the valley. Be sure to take in all of the content on the valley that we offer here on our site. We have already been to these locations so please feel free to rely on our suggestions and recommendations you'll find right here. This is one of our favorite locations to visit! NOTE: We recommend researching the Panthertown Valley area before coming and also suggest not coming by yourself or without a map. This area is "wild" and the trail system is unmarked, you can get lost very easily if you don't know where you're going. Our best suggestion is to download and print the map we provide on this site, find the trail(s) you are interested in and plan out your day accordingly. You need to avoid any side trails you come across (and you'll come across a lot of them).

The Local Directions

From the main intersection of U.S. Hwy 64 and N.C. Hwy 107 in Cashiers, N.C. take Hwy 64 East (towards Brevard) for 12.7 miles. Here, take N.C. Hwy-281 North for 0.9 mile to Cold Mountain Road on your Left. Stay on Cold Mountain Road for another 5.9 miles bearing Left the entire way passing other intersections along the way. When you see the sign for Panthertown Valley (bearing left) the road turns to gravel. Travel approx. 0.2 mile to a Right into the access road, parking area, info kiosk and trailheads. The gravel road continues up past this right but there is a sign saying not to go past the gate per Lake Toxaway POA. The access road had a large mud puddle that took the entire road up and was fairly deep. A clearance of approx. 12 inches would have been required. To pick up the Devil's Elbow Trail #448 start out on Panthertown Valley Trail #474 from the main parking area. At approx. 1.2 miles you'll come to the trailhead for Devil's Elbow Trail #448 on your Right and just before you cross Greenland Creek. If you have crossed the creek you have gone too far.

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Distance From

FROM (Town): Cashiers, 20.9 miles

Coordinates

35.164828, -83.005335

County

Jackson County