Know Before You Go – How To Hike To Soco Falls In Maggie Valley

If you’re planning to visit Maggie Valley, the impressive nature is probably going to be the highlight of your trip. It’s just a wonderfully gorgeous area and it has a bit of everything! Today we are taking a closer look at a really cool waterfall with this guide on how to hike to Soco Falls in Maggie Valley. It’s got everything you need to know to plan your adventure and more. If you have any questions, just let me know otherwise have fun hiking!

Know Before You Go – How To Hike To Soco Falls In Maggie Valley

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FAQ for hiking to Soco Falls

Where is it located?

Maggie Valley, approximately 5 hours from Fayetteville.

Is there a cost?

No, the hike and parking is free.

Is it dog friendly?

Yes, on a leash.

Is it kid friendly?

Yes. Of course though, you know your kids much better than I do. Use this guide and your best judgment to decide what is appropriate for them.

What skill level is required?

Beginner.

What type of trail is it?

Point to point on a dirt and rock trail.

What should you bring with you?

• Comfortable walking shoes – lightweight with good grip like these are good if you’re a beginner
• Waterproof camera – this is my favorite adventure camera and I use it with this selfie stick
• Epic Wipes
• Water
• Snacks or energy gels

Where to park

You can use ‘Soco Falls’ or ‘Soco Falls Parking’ in Google Maps to get you to the starting point off Wolfetown Road.

The parking area is a small, gravel section on the side of the road. Depending on when you go, you may need a little patience when it comes to getting a park since it’s only a small lot for a popular hike.

It’s only a short trail though so people are coming and going frequently.

The parking area is just off the side of the road

Where to start the trail to Soco Falls

The trailhead is easy to find by simply following the path behind the parking area.

If you are facing all the cars with your back to the road, the start of the hike is on your left.

The path is pretty well worn and easy to follow. Like I said, it’s a popular spot so there’ll also be people around and you’ll be able to see where they are coming from.

Start of the trail

What to expect on the hike

The hike takes you from the parking lot, downhill to the waterfall on a dirt trail. There are a couple of rocky areas in the trail as well.

There are a couple of sections with ropes to hold onto for keeping stable while going downhill. So, even though you’re going downhill, you have a little support which is what makes it good for beginners.

The trail itself is quite simple and short. In my opinion it’s a good beginner trail, but of course use your best judgment for your skill level.

It can be slippery, especially if it has been raining, so keep that in mind. Close to the waterfall it gets a little more muddy, so a couple of Epic Wipes will come in handy to clean off afterward!

If you’re not a confident hiker, I’d recommend some shoes with good grip. These were my beginner hiking shoes and I still rave about them. They have great grip which helps when you’re a little unsteady on your feet. I also love that they’re lightweight and breathable which is good for these types of hikes where they might get wet or muddy.

Start of the trail

Lookout point

Rope section

The waterfall area

The waterfall area itself is pretty cool! You aren’t limited to viewing the waterfall from a far away point, you’re right up in there with the sound of water roaring around you and the spray hitting your face.

It’s nice to be able to get up close – I even saw a couple of people get in the water.

It really is a magnificent waterfall to see and much bigger than I expected.

If you don’t want to hike down to it, there’s also an observation deck closer to the beginning of the trail.

Soco Falls

Upstream from the waterfall

Other things to do nearby

While you’re in Maggie Valley, I recommend visiting Waterrock Knob for some epic views. For something a little different, you can also hike to the plane wreck in the mountains there. Here’s my full hiking guide for the Waterrock Knob plane wreck.

While you’re driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway there are lots of lookout points to stop at as well. Everywhere you look there are gorgeous scenic mountain views.

If you’d like to see another waterfall, Mingo Falls is about 30 minutes away.

Cataloochee Valley is another gorgeous spot nearby where you also have a good chance of spotting Elk roaming around. It’s a magical place to visit. Here’s my full guide for Elk spotting in the Cataloochee Valley area.

Where to stay in Maggie Valley

If you’re looking for a place to stay to turn it into a weekend trip, I recommend searching on Booking.com.

That’s what I have used to book accommodation for many years now and I can usually find a good deal there.

I stayed here and it was just fantastic! The cabin was super cozy with all the facilities you need to a self sustained stay. I loved having breakfast on the porch, soaking in the jacuzzi watching glow bugs at night, and sitting by the fire.

Whether you stay in the main area in a standard hotel, or a little further out in a quieter cabin, it’s a good base for a weekend of outdoor adventures.

Other guides you might enjoy:

• The Top 8 Places To Go For A Scrumptious Brunch In Fayetteville, NC

• Where To Swim At Jordan Lake, NC – Complete Beach Hopping Guide

• Here’s Why You Gotta Visit The World’s Largest Strawberry Building In NC

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