If you live in the city like we do, you know how refreshing it can be to get away from all the hustle and bustle… to walk through the woods and hear nothing but birds and the rustling of leaves as squirrels scurry from one tree to the next. You’ll probably also get why we drove over two hours to get to this spectacular waterfall hike.
Bradley Falls
The cliff overlooking Big Bradley Falls
Looking for a new dog-friendly hike waterfall hike? Bradley Falls in Saluda, NC is one of my absolute favorites! Well worth the trek from Charlotte. Bradley Falls is actually two different trails, starting on opposite sides of a winding road in pretty much the middle of nowhere. Each of these trails goes to a different waterfall. There’s the taller, more “impressive” 75 foot waterfall, Big Bradley Falls, and the smaller, yet in my opinion way more fun Little Bradley Falls.
You would think that Big Bradley was the way to go, just by the name. But, there are a few reasons why I prefer Little, the first being safety. Someone just died (again) at Big Bradley Falls. The trail is short and fairly boring and leads to the top of a pretty precarious cliff with a not so great view of the falls from above. If you want to climb down to the bottom, there’s a rope that you need to use to lower yourself about 20 -30 feet down a nearly vertical rock face.
AKA NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Especially not with my dogs!
So, the one time we did go, we hiked to the overlook, looked at the very far away waterfall, and turned around. Pretty, but definitely the lesser hike in my opinion.
**I’ve since learned that there’s another way to get to Big Bradley from the BOTTOM, so I’m adding that to my list of dog-friendly hikes to check out soon!
The view of Big Bradley Falls from the overlook
So… on to Little Bradley Falls
Trail Details: Distance: 2 miles | Trail Type: Out and Back | Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate | Features: Waterfall, Stream Crossings
Little Bradley Falls
The trail to Little Bradley is a lot of fun! Along the trail, there are numerous fallen trees to climb over or crawl under, which the dogs of course thought was an obstacle course made just for them. There is also a small section where you need to do a bit of scrambling and a few stream crossings that add some fun variety to the trek. Be prepared to get wet! Bring hiking sandals or waterproof boots, depending on the season. The amount of water on this trail is a definite plus in warmer months, especially if you bring your dog with you. Ours were rock hopping and swimming and having a grand old time every time we’d cross back over the stream.
The hike to Little Bradley Falls is only about a mile each way, making it accessible to most able-bodied hikers (and dogs) of all ages, kids included. If you go during the weekend, expect some company at the falls. But on weekdays, mornings, or in the colder months, you may be treated to your own seemingly private oasis!
Because there was no one around, the dogs got to run around on the rocks, splash in the water, and swim to their hearts’ content!
Little Bradley Falls is a beautiful 35 foot, 3 cascade waterfall tucked into a picturesque little gorge on Cove Creek.
If you’re looking for a rugged, beautiful hike to a gorgeous waterfall, I definitely recommend checking out Little Bradley Falls. The one caveat is that the trail is pretty horribly marked. I’ve been twice to far and got turned around both times. So, before you go, take a minute to read these trail directions.
Thanks for reading,
Debbie & The Mutts
You might also like
22 Comments
Great shots. I love hidden gems to escape to among the hustle and bustle. Love all the pics too. Beautiful and daunting heights! Yikes! Your fur kiddos are the cutest adventurous bunch. Getting turned around in the forest or on a hike is my worst fear. Glad you returned okay safe and sound.
We do too! Getting away from it all is good for the soul, for us and the pups! And thank you, they love adventures just as much as we do! Thankfully, we’ve never gotten lost to the point of not being able to find out way back.. just taken the “long way” a few times 😉
We have a similar trail near us in Pennsylvania. Whenever we get ready to walk to Buttermilk Falls, Soldier gets excited. It’s a beautiful walk with such a rewarding ending. I don’t know why waterfalls are so appealing to humans and animals alike, but there is a definite feeling of being right with nature when you arrive and start to soak up the natural beauty.
I actually grew up in Pennsylvania! So many beautiful waterfall hikes up that way. That’s where I fell in love with waterfalls as a child. Buttermilk Falls sounds awesome. Soldier sounds like our kind of pup! And you are so right, there definitely is something so serene about waterfalls!
Gorgeous! Your photos are so inviting. This would be a wonderful hike for Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe. It looks like you and your pups had a joy-filled adventure! Thank you. Tail wags. Take care.
Thank you so much! I love sharing our adventures with you guys. This place is one of my new favorites! I bet Chloe would LOVE it! Perfect place to run and play and swim and just be! (especially during the week when there’s no one to bother you)
What a beautiful place to escape to with the dogs. I love discovering waterfalls, we have a small one not too far from us. Looks like your pups had a great time! 🙂
It really is! It’s too far and a little too technical for most non-hiker waterfall chasers, which means less crowds and more fun for us and the pups! They had a blast!
How did I know this was NC from the first photo I saw ?! Beautiful! I love hiking in NC! Thanks for sharing a new place
HAHA, yess! North Carolina does have a special kind of beauty, especially in the mountains in Western NC, which is where we do most of our hiking. Happy to share this hike with you. Let us know if you’re ever in the area, we’d love to show you some spots!
This is gorgeous. I love the photographs, The look AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Not that I’m jealous or anything * sob *
NOW you need to make it into a movie – OK?
It really is gorgeous out there! So glad you enjoyed the pics! I will have to take some video the next time we go back. I just did make a movie (my first!), but on a different hike sans waterfalls. It’ll be up on our facebook soon! Hope you like it. And thanks again for sharing all of your movie making tips!
Gorgeous hike and waterfall. Mr. N does not like crossing streams and puddles but he’ll do it if he must. I was trying to think of how to navigate a rope climb with the dog. Backpack?
I’d only do it with a full-body harness that supports them under their stomach, like a Ruffwear Webmaster, and some climbing gear, but that’s just me and my overcautious tendencies when it comes to my pups… which is why we opted for the ropeless waterfall approach! lol. It’s a gorgeous, safe option!
That waterfall is such a beauty! Your mutts always have the best of adventures:-)
Thanks Paroma! They love adventuring as much as we do, if not more! It’s great to find places like this where we can all just relax and enjoy the tranquility… who am I kidding? They’re usually splashing in the water and running amok! lol. But I wouldn’t have it any other way 🙂
This sounds like so much fun! And what a beautiful hike. I think Kylo Ren would enjoy something like this. My adventure team does well with outdoor adventures, but he is by far the best leash walker. And he will follow any trail you put him on! I need to find some cool hikes nearby for us to take him on. Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds like such a great idea! We love inspiring people to get out there more with their pups (and adventure cats)! That’s even cooler, in all honesty! I can’t wait to see the places you and Kylo Ren check out together!
I love waterfalls. We have a lot of them in the upper part of South Carolina. Some are really hard to get to. It was over 20 years ago when I visited my last waterfall and I almost couldn’t climb back to the top after going to the bottom. There’s no way I could do it now.
We’ve been to a few in Northern SC and actually spend a lot of time down that way. We’d love any recommendations you may have from your waterfall hiking days! 🙂 Especially the ones that are harder to get to. Those are our favorite!
Looks like a beautiful hike. When I had my springer, we always had to hike near water so she could wade in and cool off!
That’s why we’ve been seeking hikes with waterfalls and rivers lately! Even in October, it’s been SOOO hot and humid. It was in the high 80s or low 90s that last time we did this hike if I remember correctly. The water is a necessity when hiking with dogs! Glad you enjoyed it!