Twin Falls and Clawhammer Falls Loop | Avery Creek and Two Waterfall Stops in Pisgah

Our Favorite Western NC Mountain Hikes | Asheville Elevated Living

This was our first hike with the boys in Pisgah after we moved to Asheville in 2013, and it's still one of our favorites. Sandy and I went back for one last look at the fall colors this year. The creek, the hardwoods and the waterfall stops are good reasons to leave a little extra time.

Twin Falls and Clawhammer Falls Loop main trail photo — Photos via AllTrails and its hiking community.

Hike at a glance

Avery Creek Road, Pisgah National Forest near Brevard
7 miles | 1,010 feet of gain | Moderate loop | 3 to 3.5 hours

What the hike is like

Use the saved Avery Creek Road track for the seven-mile outing. It brings together the Avery Creek, Clawhammer Cove and Buckhorn Gap trail network, with the Twin Falls spur leading into a hollow where you can see two neighboring cascades. The Clawhammer side adds wet footing, forest climbing and a quieter stretch along the creek.

The Forest Service lists Clawhammer Cove as a 1.5-mile trail segment. The saved hike strings it together with other trails and a forest road, so use the route map at junctions and when leaving the falls.

Before you go

Parking at the smaller pullouts along Avery Creek Road is limited. Download the map, allow time for stream crossings and check road access after heavy rain. Take photos from stable ground and stay off slippery rock at the base of the falls.