West Parking Area for Panthertown Valley

Highlights

•  Miles of excellent Hiking, Biking and Horseback Trails 
•  15+ vehicle parking at either the main parking area or "cul-de-sac" at the end of Breedlove Road 
•  Info kiosk wiith map of area 
•  Two main trailheads to access the valley by: Blackrock Trail #447 & Panthertown Valley #474 (West)
•  One of two main entrances to the Valley ("West" & "East" entrances)
•  No "Blazed" trailheads you need a Panthertown Valley Trail Map
•  Some of the best Swimming, Fishing and Waterfall exploration to be had
•  Wild "Catch & Release" trout fishing ONLY

The Local Scoop

Access to this parking area is a bit rough after you come to the end of Breedlove Road and the end of the pavement. If you have a low car you WILL scrape in at least one spot and possibly pretty badly. There is a large mud hole just before you arrive at the parking area that is impossible to go around. In dry weahter it could be fine though. We suggest (if you don't have at least 12-16 in. of clearance) that you park at the end of the pavement on Breedlove Road. There is a wide cul-de-sac here, so there is room to get out of the main road. The West entrance of Panthertown Valley is a short distance from here and is road bed the entire way. Allow us to provide some detailed direction concerning the multiple activities this area offers.  This is our favorite access of the two main entrances to the valley.
Horseback Riding.
For horseback riders, this is the recommended entrance due to the fact that the parking area has a bit more room than the East entrance to the valley.  Once at the main parking area (West) you have the choice of two major trailheads to take you into the valley on horseback, the Blackrock Trail #447 and the Panthertown Valley Trail #474 (West). Be sure to check out these specific trails under this category on our site. Both provide nice access to the valley, one taking the high elevation route with the other taking you directly into the valley's floor.  
Hiking.
For hikers, this also is a great starting point for you to access the valley.  Again, there should be plenty of parking for you either at the main parking area or at the cul-de-sac at the end of Breedlove Road.  We would like to suggest taking in three of the valley's twelve main waterfalls, Wilderness Falls, Frolictown Falls and Granny Burrell Falls.  They can be hiked to in a reasonable amount of time and if you are in great shape and are an experienced hiker, you should be able to do this in a little over a half day.  If you need a little extra time, please plan on starting in the early morning and really take your time to soak up all of this western part of the valley.  We suggest becoming familiar with these main trails:  Panthertown Valley Trail #474, Deep Gap Trail #449, Granny Burrell Falls Trail #486 and Mac's Gap Trail #482.
Mountain Biking.
What a cool and interesting place to go mountain bike riding!  Here we would like to suggest that you be aware of the trails that are "Hike Only" trails or the sections of some that are designated at that.  Those trails are:
- (Section) Panthertown Valley Trail #474 from:  intersection of Mac's Gap Trail #482 & North Road Trail #453.  Here bikers and horseback riders need to take the North Road Trail #453 to bypass this section of PVT #474.  You'll need to rejoin PVT #474 by going right at the intersection of North Road Trail #453 and Powerline Road Trail #451.  You'll intersect PVT #474 in approx. 0.3 mile.             - (Section) Granny Burrell Falls Trail #486.  Where this trail meets Panthertown Creek and joins the Great Wall Trail #489.  The Great Wall Trail runs along Panthertown Creek and provides access to the Granny Burrell Falls area, then intersects Mac's Gap Trail on the other side.  You will need to either park or carry your bike along this section if you don't want to leave it at the trail intersection.  Your best bet to access Granny Burrell Falls is from the Mac's Gap side of the trail and leave your bike there.  It's a short distance to the falls from this vantage point.

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).

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.   Either park at the cul-de-sac here or continue on the rough but short gravel/mud road to the main parking area. From the parking area pick up the Panthertown Valley Trail #474 just past the iron gate. Or pick up the Blackrock Trail #447 just to the Left of the iron gate.