Mud Creek Trail to Estatoah Falls is a 2.2 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Scaly Mountain, North Carolina that features a waterfall. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.
hiking
nature trips
walking
forest
river
waterfall
First: the map directions are slightly off at the destination, they tried to take us down a cart path at the golf course adjacent to the Mud Creek Falls. Instead of veering left at the final turn, stay right and follow the hairpin turn down to the falls. There is room for one, maybe two vehicles to park on the side. I recommend using the turn around and park on the right facing away from the falls.
The trail is wide enough for a car to drive down with a high canopy and gentle rolling hills. Very easy walk... follows the creek from Mud Creek Falls to Estatoah Falls. The Estatoah Falls overlook platform is solid, but the walkway to it is washed out. There is a 2X8 board serving as a gangway. It is solid too, but a little unnerving midway across.
The entire hike is pleasant and peaceful... the fact that it starts and ends with very nice waterfalls makes it pretty high on my list to return to in the spring (for the record, it is stunning in the fall with the late afternoon sun shining through the golden and red hued leaves with the path covered in orange leaves).
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