Stairstep Falls–Bear Branch Trail, 6 sights
8.1 mi · ▲ 1,490 ft · 3 hr 27 min
Stairstep Falls–Bear Branch Trail, 6 sights is an 8.1-mile out-and-back in Green River Game Land near Mount Valley, NC. The route reaches Stairstep Falls. It climbs 1,490 ft. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Stairstep Falls–Bear Branch Trail, 6 sights
8.1 mi · ▲ 1,490 ft · 3 hr 27 min
Elevation 1,460–2,214 ft
Out & Back · Green River Game Land
Trailhead: Long Ridge Road · 35.28485, -82.31688
Weather Sep 4: Mostly clear, high 92°F / low 72° · precip 10% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Long Ridge Road, heading SW.
- 0.7 miBear right onto Bear Branch Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Bishop Branch Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Rock Hop Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miSharp right onto Pulliam Creek Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miReach Stairstep Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.1 miSharp left onto Bear Branch Trail, heading S.
- 1.7 miTurn right onto Long Ridge Road, heading SE.
- 350 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Stair Step Falls Trail, heading SE.
- 1.1 miPass Stairstep Falls.
- 150 ftBear left onto Turkey Gut Trail, heading NW.
- 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~7 min). Leave by 7:27 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:14 PM — 6 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Long Ridge Road Trailhead
- Emily Falls & Bishop Branch Trail via Long Ridge Road 2.3 mi · ▲ 282 ft
- Laurel Mountain–Emily Falls, 3 summits 5.2 mi · ▲ 911 ft
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