Follow the sound of the water. Just 6.5 miles from Sugar Mountain, Otter Falls makes a great first stop. The 1.2-mile roundtrip hike drops through the forest toward Valley Creek, where an observation deck gives you an up-close look at the 25-foot falls. The walk down is the easy part — you’ll climb about 230 feet on the return — so take your time, use the benches along the way and enjoy having a perfectly good excuse to linger in the woods. Finding this much wild just a few miles away? That’s sweet.

Take the path less traveled — even if it gets a little steep. Hidden in Valle Crucis, Crab Orchard Falls is reached by a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike through the beautiful grounds of the Valle Crucis Conference Center. The trail climbs through the forest before descending toward the cascades, with a boardwalk helping you navigate the final rocky section. Find a spot near the boulders, listen to the water and enjoy one of those places that feels much farther than nine miles from Sugar Mountain. Going for a walk and finding a waterfall at the end? That’s sweet.

Sometimes the river likes to make an entrance. Near the town of Elk Park, the Elk River suddenly pours over a massive rock face and drops roughly 50 feet into the pool below. It’s only about 15 miles from Sugar Mountain, and a short but steep walk takes you from the trailhead to views from below the falls. The combination of rushing water, giant boulders and surrounding forest makes this one of those stops where the camera comes out before you even think about it. Stay safely away from the cliff edge and the powerful currents near the base of the falls.

Save the grand finale for the gorge. Finish with one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ signature waterfalls. About 15 miles from Sugar Mountain, Linville Falls sends water roaring through rock cliffs and into Linville Gorge, with several trails offering very different perspectives of the 90-foot falls. Take the easier Erwins View Trail for multiple overlooks, or make a longer adventure of it and explore more of the roughly four miles of trails that connect five waterfall vistas. It’s big, dramatic and exactly the kind of place that makes you appreciate how little you are — in the best possible way.

Ending the day with 90 feet of mountain drama? That’s sweet.