Water brings life to these austere, rocky mountains. The Smoky Mountain region actually is a temperate rainforest and the rain, fog and cloud cover dump moisture into creeks and springs that are also fed by underground aquifers.

Water flows downhill, making for an abundance of waterfalls, whether it 's a 60-foot cascade or a simple 10-foot drop. Some waterfalls are destinations, while others are a pleasant find along the trail.

Visiting these natural wonders is a favorite pastime, but please note that the rocks can be slippery and the water swift. Take great care as you move in for a better view.

Serious waterfall hunters may wish to invest in a guidebook purchased from their local bookstore. Others looking for a beautiful drive and guaranteed splendor are best advised to head up to the Cashiers/Highlands area. Trails off N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 do not disappoint. Here are our recommendations of a few popular and lesser-known waterfalls and directions on how to get to them.

Upper Buck Creek Falls

Coming from Cashiers, go 7.6 miles west on U.S. 64 from the intersection of N.C. 107.†Turn right on Buck Creek Road and go 5.5 miles to a sharp curve to the right and park on the paved shoulder on the left. Walk down the old road on the same side as you parked, passing a brown forest service gate. You 'll hear Buck Creek. The road soon switchbacks to the right and it 's here where you 'll have to find a way down to the creek. Descend from here and you 'll come to an overgrown older road. Cross it and continue down. You 'll soon come to the 100-foot cascade. Total distance from the parking is probably less than 1/2 mile, but this one is for the adventurous.

Juneywhank Falls

From the Deep Creek Campround trailhead parking area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, follow the well-marked trail 1/4 mil uphill to Juneywhank Falls. The roar of the falls can be heard even before you reach it. An 80-foot cascade runs under a log footbridge with handrails and meets up with Deep Creek at the bottom of the trail.

Tom Branch Falls

Starting back at Deep Creek trailhead, walk just 1,000 feet along the wide, flat Deep Creek trail to Tom Branch Falls, a wispy waterfall that gently splashes over 80 feet into Deep Creek. A bench is beside the creek and is a great place to sit and watch tubers.

Indian Creek Falls

Continuing along the Deep Creek Trail for approximately one mile, the trail winds up a slight grade to where Indian Creek spills into Deep Creek. Follow the Indian Creek Trail to the right 200 feet uphill to Indian Creek Falls, a high-spirited waterfall that noisily plunges 25 feet. A small spur trail leads to the bottom of the falls.

Mingo Falls

Considered by many the most stunning cascade in the region, Mingo Falls on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. From the Saunooke Village shopping area in downtown Cherokee, drive north on Big Cove Road approximately 5 miles (past the KOA Campground) to the Mingo Falls parking lot. The walk from the parking lot is short (just a hundred yards) but very steep.

Twentymile Cascade

A small waterfall at the southwestern corner of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From Fontana Village Resort, drive six miles west on N.C. 28 to the Twentymile Ranger Station where the Twentymile Trail begins. Hike a half-mile to the first bridge, bear right and continue another 100 yards to the narrow spur trail, which leads off to the right and to the Twentymile Cascade.

Lower Cullasaja Falls, Upper Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls

From Cashiers drive west on US 64. Turn right at traffic light at junction of U.S. 64 and N.C. 28 (toward Franklin). Continue for 2.8 miles. Bridal Veil Falls is on right. Continue for 0.9 miles. After passing Dry Falls sign, turn left into parking lot. Go down stone staircase to Dry Falls, which roars overhead. Exit parking lot to left. Continue 3.3 miles and pull off to left onto gravel for a view of Upper Cullasaja Falls. Continue for 2.4 miles. Pull off to left onto blacktop for view of Lower Cullasaja Falls.

Glen Falls

From Cashiers take U.S. 64 to Highlands, then N.C. 106 for 1.8 mi. to the Glen Falls sign. Turn left. Take gravel road 1 mile Park. Take trail straight ahead. View the valley, then cascades. Down the mountain 1.4 miles are three strikingly different 80-foot falls. The return hike is uphill and strenuous.

Sliding Rock, Silver Run Falls and Whitewater Falls

From Cashiers drive south on N.C. 107 for 1.9 miles. Turn right on Whiteside Cove Road. Continue for 2.8 miles. After crossing bridge, pull off onto dirt on right. Follow trail to right for 100 yards to Little Sliding Rock. Swimming holes are above and below waterfall. Return to N.C. 107. Turn right and continue for 2.4 miles. Pull off onto gravel on left. Follow trail for 50 yards Cross stream on fallen log and continue another 100 yards to Silver Run Falls. Continue south on N.C. 107 for 5.3 miles into South Carolina, passing a roadside picnic area. Turn left on SC 413. Continue for 2.3 miles until it dead-ends at SC 130. Turn left on SC 130. Continue for 1.2 miles. After passing Nantahala National Forest Whitewater Falls sign, turn right into parking lot. Short walk to lookout. There are trails to top and bottom of Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall in the eastern U.S.

Whitewater Falls

From the intersection of U.S. 64 and N.C. 107, drive east on U.S. 64 for 10.4 miles. Turn right on N.C. 281. Continue for 9.9 miles. Turn left into parking lot. Short walk to lookout. There are trails to top and bottom of Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall in the eastern U.S.

Big Creek 's Midnight Hole and waterfall

This is a small waterfall but a beautifully scenic spot and one of the coldest, bluest-water swimming holes you 'll come across. From the Big Creek camping area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, follow the Big Creek Trail up Big Creek. The trail is actually an old logging road, and as you progress you may encounter scraps of metal from the old railroading days. Go about 1.5 miles up the trail and the swimming hole and the falls, which are marked, are on the left.

Graveyard Fields, Upper Falls and Second Falls

Located in the proximity of Milepost 418 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River cuts through this unusual landscape caused by a major fire in the early part of the 20th century. A 3.2-mile loop hike will lead hikers to both falls, the Upper Falls requiring a moderate climb, the Second Falls accessed by a recently-built wooden stairwell that was constructed in order to stop harmful erosion into the creek. This area is extremely crowded on weekends, but that 's because it is so picturesque.