Leave Lyman around 7:00 AM for Pisgah National Forest, taking I-26 W toward Hendersonville and then US-276 into the forest; allow about 1½ hours, longer if you stop for coffee, fuel, or a dog break. US-276 is especially scenic in October, but the mountain road is winding and roadside parking fills quickly on clear fall mornings. Start at Looking Glass Falls, where the signed roadside pull-off provides the easiest access and a short viewpoint walk—plan 30–45 minutes. There is no admission fee, but parking is limited, so keep your dog leashed and never leave them in the car.
Continue a few minutes along US-276 to Moore Cove Falls Trail, an easy roughly 1.2-mile round trip through the woods to the waterfall. Give yourselves about an hour, wear shoes with good grip, and keep the dog leashed near wet roots and the falls area. Check current Pisgah Ranger District alerts before leaving, since trail or parking conditions can change seasonally; bring water and waste bags, and pack out everything.
Drive into Brevard for lunch, roughly 25–30 minutes from Moore Cove depending on traffic. The Falls Landing Restaurant is a practical downtown choice with outdoor seating for dogs and a casual menu, generally about $15–30 per person; call ahead that morning to confirm the patio is open and available. Allow about an hour, then drive south on US-276 toward DuPont State Recreational Forest and Cedar Mountain. The forest is free to enter, though parking areas can fill on fall weekends; the main lots may require a small fee or donation depending on the facility, so carry a card and some cash.
Spend 2½–3 hours on the connected waterfall route to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls. The trails are manageable but include uneven, sometimes muddy sections and short climbs, so sturdy shoes are worthwhile. Dogs are welcome on leash; keep them close around overlooks, cyclists, horses, and stream crossings. Start with Hooker Falls, continue to Triple Falls, and finish at High Falls, leaving enough time to return to the vehicle before dusk. October color and late-afternoon light are beautiful, but do not linger so long that the mountain drive home becomes dark.
Leave DuPont State Recreational Forest around 4:00 PM for Lyman, using US-276 and SC-11; budget about 1 hour 45 minutes, plus extra time for fall traffic, a fuel stop, and a short dog walk. The route is rural, so refuel and use facilities before leaving Cedar Mountain. Aim to arrive around 6:00 PM, with the understanding that sunset visibility, leaf-season traffic, and waterfall parking delays may push the return later.
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