Soco Falls is a double waterfalls located along Highway 19 between Maggie Valley and Cherokee, North Carolina. It is roughly 1.5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is approximately a 10 minute drive from Maggie Valley and about 20 minutes from Cherokee.

The name “Soco” roughly translate to “ambush place.” Part of the Soco Gap, it is said that the Cherokee ambushed a Shawnee raiding party in the gap, killing all but one of the invaders which was sent back to report of their victory. There is also a story of one of De Soto’s men being captured and thrown to his death from the top of the falls.

There is a small parking area at the trail head. A short, well maintained trail leads to a viewing platform. There is an unmaintained, steep, slippery trail that leads to the bottom of the falls. Typically there are some ropes strung along the precarious route, providing a bit of safety and aid in descending to or climbing up from the bottom of the falls. Before attempting the scramble into the gorge one should be of at least in moderately good physical condition and be aware that there is risk in attempting the descent.

Below are a few photos of my recent visit to this beautiful falls. The autumn color change was beginning and quite impressive as certain elevations. Have you visited Soco Falls? If so, tell me what you thought of the visit in the comments below.