Greenland Creek and Holly Falls
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Moderate climbs on a trail following Panthertown’s
Greenland Creek to an impressive,two-tiered waterfall
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Greenland Creek Falls:
Difficulty (1-5): 2
Round trip time: 1 hour
Holly Falls:
Difficulty (1-5): 4
Round trip time: 3 hours
Arriving at the Panthertown parking area, note a trail leading into the woods at left.
Proceed to the parking area and return on foot to the trail leading to Greenland Creek.
(There is space for a few cars at the trailhead, along the side of the road, but don't block
the approach to the main parking area.)
The trail through the woods is flat and easy. After about 20 minutes you'll reach a clearing.
The trail splits; take the narrow path to the left, which will bring you to Greenland Creek
Falls after about 20 minutes. It's a great spot for a picnic, but take care on the slippery
rocks.
This is an easy trail but there are a few stream crossings.
For a more strenuous experience, continue up the trail to Holly Falls. The trail leads first to
the top of Greenland Creek Falls. Avoid the temptation to scramble over the rocks at the
top; someone dies in Western North Carolina nearly every year in an accident involving a
waterfall. The trail, a tight tunnel through rhododendrons and doghobble, follows the creek
up steep rises for another 40 minutes to Holly Falls, which requires some scrambling and a
difficult river crossing for a front-on view of its stairstep cascade.
Copyright 2012 by Tony Austin
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Directions to trailhead: From the Lake Toxaway Country Club, go along Fairway Drive to
the sign for Toxaway Mountain. Bear left onto Toxaway Drive and follow it to Meadow
Ridge. Turn right before the pavilion and drive 1.1 miles on gravel to the turnoff into the
Panthertown parking area. After turning, note a trail leading into the woods at left. There
is space for a few cars at the trailhead but don't block the approach to the main parking
area. Park in the parking area but return on foot to the trail leading to Greenland Creek.