Alarka Falls

Alarka Falls

Nikon D800, Nikon 17-35mm lens at 17mm, f/11, 0.8 seconds, ISO 200, polarizing filter.

Beauty Rating:
7
Accessibility:
Trail and bank scramble
River:
Alkarka Creek
River Basin:
Little Tennessee
Watershed:
Small
Elevation:
3,880 feet
Type and Height:
Long, cascading falls with a total elevation drop of about 150 feet
Landowner:
Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District
County:
Swain
USGS Map:
Greens Creek
Hike Distance:
About 0.5 mile
Hike Difficulty:
6
Photo Rating:
6
Compass:
120°
Canopy:
Closed
Waterfall GPS:
Trailhead GPS:
Google Earth Waterfall Download View waterfall on Google Earth. Link is for a Google Earth file. Click file after download and Google Earth will open and fly to the waterfall. Don't have Google Earth on your computer?

Driving Directions

Take the Alarka Road exit (Exit 64) off US 74 and head south on Alarka Road. (US 19 goes north.) The road changes to gravel at 8.9 miles. The public road ends at 9.6 miles at a small turnaround. Park here.

Hike Description

A private drive goes left at the turnaround. Don’t take it. Instead, follow one of the two paths leading straight from the turnaround. The paths converge in a few yards and continue as an old road for 0.35 mile, at which point the road comes out right beside Alarka Creek. From there, the hike hugs the creek on a long, steep rock pile all the way to a point below the falls.

Overview

You’ll probably have this intriguing waterfall to yourself, but you’ll have to work for the best experience. The problem is that there is no good spot from which to view it. You’ll have to scramble around the creek and settle for lots of individual views. The rocks in the creek bed are extremely slippery, so be careful. A makeshift path on river right leads to the top of the falls. It’s extremely steep and offers no good views toward the top.