Mingo Falls
Cherokee, North Carolina
Details
Distance
0.22 miles
Elevation Gain
148 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Christian Murillo
Mingo Falls is an incredibly beautiful 120 foot waterfall, just outside of the Cherokee Indian Reservation. In addition to being one of the tallest waterfalls in the area, its soft and smooth flow of water down a moss covered rock face is one of the most intimate and relaxing scenes.
Although it is not much of a hike at just 0.3 miles, it is accessible to people of all fitness levels. A climb up a series of stairs leads you to a trail overlooking Mingo creek. You will then find a 20 foot wide bridge which serves as the viewing platform of the falls.
If you care to adventure further, feel free to hop your way over some timber and boulders to the base of the waterfall. Make sure to wear good shoes if you do this because the rocks are slippery! When you make it to the base of the waterfall, an absolutely serene landscape surrounds you and even if you are not alone, it is easy to forget about the crowds that tend to gather on the bridge. Because of its accessibility, Mingo Falls also has the tendency to get most crowded in the Fall and Summer months.
Come early to avoid the crowds. Even though this hike does not exactly get the blood pumping like an epic adventure does, it is short and sweet and is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
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Reviews
This hike is a great place to check out. The hike is very popular so there are a lot of people around.
5.0
Driving over to Cherokee takes a while, and thus it is great to have somewhere to stretch and enjoy a beautiful waterfall once arriving near Cherokee.
5.0
We climbed around the rocks to the base of the falls for a better view & some great photos!
4.0
This waterfall was really beautiful despite the fact that the area was in an extreme drought. There were was enough water trickling down to get some good pictures and the hike up to the top is just basically walking up a really long staircase. The only downside is if you try to take pictures on the bridge and people come up onto the bridge, it will bounce ever so slightly and make your long exposures blurry. I had to climb down to the base of the waterfall to get a good shot but then I felt bad because all the people who came to see the waterfall saw me smack dab in the middle of their view.
4.0
The waterfall is pretty awesome and if you visit in the winter you'll get to experience it frozen which was pretty cool! It is a really short hike so it can be crowded and isn't a day activity because of the short distance.
4.0
Mingo falls is an impressive waterfall, and accessible by a short hike up some stairs! Locals mentioned a rugged trail to left of the falls that allows you to get to the top of it. The rocks are slippery!
3.0
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