Granny Burrell Falls

Categories: Waterfalls, Hikes to waterfalls, Fishing for Wild Trout, Swimming Holes, Panthertown Valley, Adventure Waterfalls

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Highlights

Excellent waterfall/cascade area for the entire family
Pet friendly
Swimming and rock sliding into water pools
Picnic opportunity on the exposed rock
Short hike
Multiple hiking, camping, fishing, horseback, Mtn. Biking and exploring opportunities nearby
Native Trout fishing for Brook or "Brookies" with strict "Catch & Release" regulations
Pay attention to the first route (best) we recommend in the "Local Scoop" below

The Local Scoop

Granny Burrell Falls is one of our favorite destinations within Panthertown Valley. We ask that you keep this area clean of any trash and if you see any please pick it up and put it in your bag so others can enjoy a litter free environment.
We recommend packing a picnic lunch and some swimming gear for this hike and plan on spending at least a half day here. You may also consider combining a few other nearby hikes that you will find on the map we provide in the PDF download section of this page/site.
There are a couple of ways to get to Granny Burrell Falls. However, the one we recommend starts out from the West Parking Area for Panthertown Valley. Pick up the main Panthertown Valley Trail #474 (West) just past the iron gate and information kiosk. Sign in using the grey metal box located just past the gate on the right hand side of the trail. This is in case of emergency. Conitnue down the wide trail for 0.25 mile to Salt Rock Gap where we recommend taking some pictures and take in the wonderful views of the valley below and in front of you.
After you're finished continue down hill on the wide path to a trail intersection on your Right, this is Deep Gap Trail #449**, avoid this trail and continue on for another 0.25 miles to a four-way intersection. Here you will need to take a Right onto Mac's Gap Trail #482. Take this trail over Panthertown Creek via bridge for 0.27 mile to a noticable trail on your Right. Take this trail (Granny Burrell Trail #486) beside the creek for 0.15 mile to Granny Burrell Falls area on your Right.
This is a really cool area to hang out at for hours. If you have the entire day or plan to camp at one of the many primitive campsites we recommend checking out the other nearby POIs within the PV area and plan your routes with the map we provide in our PDF download section of this page/site. The easiest way to return to the parking area is to backtrack the way you came in.

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 2 miles to "Cedar Creek Road" on your Left (crossing the Horsepasture River). Take Cedar Creek Road for 2.3 miles to "Breedlove Road" (S.R. 1121 or "State Road") on your Right. There will be a sign for Panthertown Valley at the Stop Sign. Take the Right and travel 3.3 miles to the end of the pavement for Breedlove Rd and where the rough, gravel road begins. You can either park here (if you have a low or nicer car) or you can proceed on rough gravel/mud road to main parking area at entrance to the valley. After you reach the main parking area (via foot- 10 minute walk OR car- 0.25 mile) you'll come to a Info Kiosk with a map of the valley in it and a gate across the trailhead. Be sure to take a look at the map and correspond the trails and their #'s with the ones in my local scoop. Finding Panthertown Valley Trail #474 (West), Mac's Gap Trail #482 (on the Right) and Granny Burrell Falls Trail #486 (the trail on the Right directly after crossing over the creek via bridge) for this waterfall area.