Hiking

hickory nut falls trail

Hiking the mountains of Western North Carolina

This .75-mile trail in Chimney Rock Park offers a leisurely walk through hardwood forests of oak, hickory, maple and basswood harboring abundant plant life, including rare and endangered wildflowers and old favorites such as Jack-in-the-pulpit and Solomon's-seal.

The reward is 404ft Hickory Nut Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Dainty white blossoms of Lady rue and grassy fronds of Deerhair bulrush thrive in the waterfall's mist. Deerhair bulrush is a grass-like plant with small knobs at the end of shiny, wiry leaves, found growing out of the cracks along the rock and cliff wall near Hickory Nut Falls.

Length: .75 miles
Skill Level: Easy
Duration: 1 hour
Trailhead Elevation: 1,100 feet

Directions from Asheville

  1. Get on I-240 E.
  2. Continue on US-74 Alt E for 20 miles.
  3. Turn right at Chimney Park Rd.

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