DuPont State Recreational Forest gets a lot of attention for its waterfalls, and rightly so, but if you’ve already knocked out Hooker Falls and Triple Falls and want something with more legwork, the forest’s multiuse trails and longer loops are where things get interesting. This page is for the hiker standing between the easy waterfall walks and the forest’s longest routes, trying to figure out which trail gives real mileage and a workout without turning into an all-day slog.
The Best Moderate Hikes in DuPont State Recreational Forest
1. High Falls Loop (approx. 2 miles)
This loop is the natural next step up from the short waterfall spurs near the visitor center. At roughly two miles, it strings together forest walking with waterfall viewing, and because it’s a loop rather than an out-and-back, you get more varied scenery per mile than you would backtracking the same path twice. It’s a solid pick if you want a moderate hike that still delivers a big waterfall payoff without needing half a day.
2. Corn Mill Shoals Trail (2.7 miles)
A multiuse trail that gives you a longer, steadier walk through the forest with less crowding than the waterfall-adjacent trails closer to the main parking areas. At 2.7 miles, it’s long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to comfortably fit into a morning or afternoon. Because it’s shared with bikers and equestrians, expect a wider, more worn tread — good footing, less technical scrambling.
3. Cascade Loop (3.1 miles)
This is one of the better options if you want mileage and variety without committing to the forest’s longest routes. As a loop, it avoids the mental fatigue of retracing your steps, and the multiuse trail surface tends to be forgiving underfoot. It’s a good middle-distance hike for someone who’s done the short waterfall trails and wants to see more of DuPont’s interior forest.
4. Reasonover Creek Trail (3.5 miles)
A longer multiuse trail that follows the creek corridor and tends to feel more remote than the trails clustered around the falls. At 3.5 miles, it’s a legitimate moderate effort — not technically difficult, but enough distance that you’ll want decent shoes and a water bottle. This is a good choice if your priority is a quieter walk over a dramatic waterfall view.
5. Turkey Knob Trail (4.5 miles, usable as an out-and-back)
Turkey Knob is the longest trail in the forest, which puts it at the upper edge of what we’d still call moderate rather than strenuous — the distance is the main challenge here, not steep terrain. Worth knowing before you go: the bridge is closed about half a mile from the Pinnacle Mountain gate, so most hikers treat this as an out-and-back to that closure point rather than a full through-hike. That still gives you several miles of solid multiuse trail, and it’s a good option if you want the longest continuous walk DuPont offers without needing a full-day commitment.
If you finish one of these with energy to spare, Big Rock Trail (0.9 miles) makes a reasonable add-on — it’s shorter and more casual, but it’s a nice way to extend a moderate outing into a bigger day without adding serious mileage.
How We Ranked These
We didn’t just sort trails by mileage. A few things mattered more:
- Distance relative to terrain: A 3-mile multiuse trail with a wide, even tread doesn’t hike the same as a 3-mile trail with technical footing. All the trails above have wide, multiuse-graded surfaces, which keeps the physical difficulty in the moderate range even as distances climb.
- Loop vs. out-and-back: We favored loops (High Falls, Cascade Loop) where possible, since they cover more ground and feel less repetitive than backtracking. Where an out-and-back was the only realistic option — like Turkey Knob past the bridge closure — we noted that honestly rather than pretending it’s a through-route.
- Scenic payoff: Distance alone isn’t the point. High Falls Loop earns its spot because the waterfall view justifies the extra mileage compared to the shorter falls trails. The multiuse trails earn their spot by offering quieter forest walking that the crowded waterfall access points don’t.
- Honest trail status: We excluded anything with an active closure that would derail the hike, and flagged the Turkey Knob bridge closure directly since it changes how you should plan that route.
Parking and Trailhead Reality
DuPont has multiple access points — Hooker Falls, Fawn Lake, Corn Mill Shoals, and others — and which one you use changes your route options for these moderate hikes. Parking lots here fill up fast on weekends and during leaf season, especially the lots closest to the popular waterfalls. If you’re heading out for one of the longer multiuse trails like Reasonover Creek or Corn Mill Shoals, arriving earlier in the day gives you a much better shot at a spot and a quieter trail. Some of the access roads leading to trailheads are gravel, so give yourself a little extra time getting in, particularly after heavy rain.
Seasonal Notes
Fall brings the heaviest crowds to DuPont, particularly around the waterfalls, but the longer multiuse trails tend to stay noticeably quieter even during peak leaf season — most visitors don’t wander far past the falls loop. Winter can make creek crossings and shaded sections slicker, so trails like Reasonover Creek and Cascade Loop deserve extra caution if temperatures have dipped below freezing recently. Spring rain can also swell the creeks along these routes. Whatever the season, check current conditions before you go — trail and road status can shift with weather.
What to Bring
These moderate hikes are long enough that you’ll want more than what you’d carry for a quick waterfall walk. A liter or more of water, real trail shoes rather than sandals, and a light layer are all worth packing given how quickly weather can turn in the mountains. Since several of these trails are multiuse, keep an ear out for bikers and horses, especially on Corn Mill Shoals and Reasonover Creek, and step aside when needed. If you’re attempting Turkey Knob out to the bridge closure, budget more time than the mileage alone suggests, since it’s the longest route on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most moderate hike in DuPont for someone who’s never been?
High Falls Loop is a good starting point — around two miles, a loop format, and a strong waterfall payoff without the longer commitment of the multiuse trails.
Can I hike the full Turkey Knob Trail?
Not currently as a through-route — the bridge is closed about half a mile from the Pinnacle Mountain gate. Most hikers use it as an out-and-back to that closure point, which still gives you a solid, long hike.
Are these trails okay for kids or beginner hikers?
The shorter waterfall trails are better suited for beginners. The moderate trails on this list — especially Reasonover Creek and Turkey Knob — involve enough distance that they’re a better fit for hikers with some stamina and trail experience.
Will I run into bikers or horses on these trails?
Yes, several of these — Corn Mill Shoals, Reasonover Creek, Cascade Loop, and Turkey Knob — are multiuse trails, so expect to share the path with cyclists and sometimes equestrians.
Is parking difficult at DuPont?
It can be, particularly on weekends and during fall foliage. Arriving early gives you the best chance at a spot near your chosen trailhead.
If none of these are quite the right fit, browse every verified trail near DuPont in the WNC Trails directory, where you can filter by difficulty, distance, and current conditions before you head out: WNC Trails directory. As always, check current conditions before your hike — trail and road status in DuPont can change with the season.
Related Pages
- Short Dupont State Recreational Forest Hikes
- Loop Hikes In Dupont State Forest
Want more routes in this area? See our complete guide to DuPont State Recreational Forest hikes.
