One thing for sure is that here in North Carolina there’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor experiences. I have another hiking guide for you today that will take you on a slightly less crowded trail that leads to an awesome 5 tiered waterdall. Here’s my guide on how to hike to Little Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC with everything you need to know to prepare for your adventure.
A Complete Hiking Guide For Little Bradley Falls – Saluda, NC
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
FAQ for Little Bradley Falls
Where is it located?
Saluda, NC approximately 4 hours from Fayetteville.
What skill level is required?
Easy to intermediate – more details below.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes, but not stroller friendly.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a leash.
What should you bring with you?
- Either waterproof boots or lightweight/quick dry shoes (I recommend these
) - Snacks or lunch (I always take a few of these with me)
- Water bottle (I use this one)
- Action camera (this is my favorite for outdoor adventures)
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)Check out my guide of things I always pack on a short hike for more ideas.
Where to park
Search Little Bradley Falls in Google Maps and ‘Trail to Little Bradley waterfall’ will come up.
There’s no official parking lot. Instead, you’ll be finding a spot to park on the side of the road. There’s on small open section at the trailhead and another just a little further back at the Big Bradley Falls trailhead.
The parking area closest to the trail – the trailhead is to the right of the cars from this angle.
Where to find the trailhead
The start of the trail is just off the side of the road. There was a sign on a tree at the start when I did the hike and a trail that went uphill to the left of the tree. I followed this trail.
I will say though, it looked like you could possibly follow straight ahead and walk along the creek. I didn’t go this way though, so I can’t speak to that.
So I will stick to the trail that you follow up and to the left, and once you start that, you follow the well worn trail.
What to expect on the trail
The trail itself is a really cool one because it gives you that ‘in the wild’ feel. When I say that I mean you’re hiking out in nature without the man-made reminders of a paved trail and fences if that makes sense.
It’s not a super difficult hike in terms of skill because the path is not overly technical. There’s one small rocky section that I can imagine could be a little slippery if it had been raining so watch your step, but otherwise, it’s a fairly straightforward trail in terms of skill.
It’s a good workout but if you have a basic level of fitness then it’s not too strenuous.
The small rocky section
Summary of the Little Bradley Falls trail
A basic summary of the trail is that you go up to the left at the start of the trail, follow that until you come to a Y type intersection. At the Y you will see a stream down to the right, go to the stream and cross it – this is why I mentioned having waterproof boots or quick-dry shoes.
One of the stream crossings
Keep following the trail and you will come to a bigger stream, cross this one too. It’s a little deeper, so just watch your step and take your time.
Keep following the trail and you’ll come up to the rocky section, and after that just follow the trail to reach the waterfall.
To navigate the trail, it can be handy to have Google Maps loaded to keep you on track towards the direction of the waterfall.
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Little Bradley Falls
Safety tips
These are probably things you already do before your hikes, but pretty much just use the same precautions you would with any other outdoor adventure.
Check the weather forecast, stick to the trails, and use your best judgment as far as hiking to your skill levels.
I think the biggest thing to remember with this hike specifically would be to use caution if it has been raining heavily since there are a couple of stream crossings.
Where to stay nearby
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay nearby, I recommend this awesome treehouse in Campobello. It’s just over the border in South Carolina about a 30-minute drive from this hike.
What more can I say but it’s a dream! If you’re looking for a place for a relaxing getaway in a cozy haven, this is the perfect spot.
Here’s my full review of the treehouse stay for more information and it also has a list of even more hikes and things to do nearby.
Other posts you might enjoy
- How To Plan A Day Hiking At Raven Rock State Park
- How To Plan A Day Out Hiking in Weymouth Woods, Southern Pines
- How To Plan A Day Trip To Carvers Creek State Park
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