From the trailhead (which is not marked with a Douglas Falls sign) at Forest Road 74 follow the white-blazed trail. It descends gently for .5 mile to the impressive Douglas Falls. The trail then turns left and steeply ascends the bank for several hundred feet to a primitive campground. Follow the white blazes to the right of this campground and continue along the trail that is well marked. Along this trail are impressive gigantic boulders, huge oak trees and virgin stands of sugar maples and hemlocks. Cross Cascades Falls at 1.8 miles. The trail begins to switchback near the top. It intersects with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at 2.8 miles. Go left to Graybeard Mountain Overlook (1.3 miles). Turn right to Craggy Mountain Visitor Center (1 mile), and continue to Craggy Mountain Picnic Area (1.8 miles).

Directions: From Burnsvile, NC, Four Access Points: Travel east on 19E for .5 mile and turn right on SR 197 (south). Stay on this road through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville, about 25 miles. The road is paved then changes to gravel and then pavement again. Turn left at the intersection of SR 197 and SR 2173 (Dillingham Road) and follow this road, which becomes gravel and Forest Service Road 74. Follow it for 8.8 miles to the end of the road. The trailhead is straight ahead.OR Go to Graggy Gardens Picnic Area parking lot at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 367.7. Park at the far end of the parking lot near the park service dirt road. Hike the trail marked with a sign that says "Craggy Garden Trail Shelter, .8 mile." At the shelter, the trail continues to the left. Follow this trail for several hundred yards and then follow the sign pointing in the direction of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Follow this trail for about 1.8 miles to the Douglas Falls Trail intersection. OR Go to Craggy Gardens Visitor Center along Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 364.6. The trail begins left of the center. The sign reads "Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, .8 mile." Hike this trail for several hundred feet and then follow the sign pointing in the direction of Mountains-to Sea Trail, which is on your right with white-circle blazes. Follow this trail for about 1 mile to the Douglas Falls Trail intersection.OR Go to the Graybeard Mountain Overlook at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 367.7 and as you look at the overlook, follow the Mountains-to-Sea Trail that is marked with white-circle blazes. This trail crosses the Parkway in about 100 yards. The trail reenters the woods and becomes a blacktop road for 500 feet. The trail then goes back into the woods. Follow this trail for a total of 1.3 miles to the Douglas Falls Trail intersection.Mileage: If you start at the trailhead on Forest Road 74, the trail is 2.8 miles to its intersection with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you go left to Graybeard Mountain Overlook, the trail totals 4.1 miles. If you go right to the Craggy Mountain Visitor Center, the mileage is 3.8 miles. If you go right and go past the Craggy Mountain Visitor Center all the way to the Picnic Area, the trail is 4.6 miles.

This trail offers a variety of access locations, mostly along the Blue Ridge Parkway.