Hickory Nut Falls Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall

Adult – $17
Youth (ages 5-15) – $8
Ages 4 and under – Free

Discounts available (e.g. AAA)

This heavily traveled tourist trail culminates with a full view of Hickory Nut Falls from a platform directly under the falls. The Hickory Nut Falls trail may be accessed by going down the stairs from the main parking lot or directly from the lower level parking area. About a quarter mile in continue straight past the Four Seasons Trail on the right. The Hickory Nut Falls trail itself is fairly uneventful and wide for the most part, with some moderate uphill sections, but becomes rockier towards the end as the sound of the falls increases. Keep going past high cliff walls on the left and up the stairs to reach the platform under the falls. Retrace your path to the main parking lot up the stairs on the right or to the lower parking lot straight ahead.

This is the only trail in Chimney Rock Park that offers a view of Hickory Nut Falls. The Skyline Trail reaches the top of the falls with a view of the headwaters but does not provide any view of the falls itself.

The cliff of the falls faces north so the entires falls does potentially freeze in the winter.

From the Chimney Rock State Park web page: "At the base of the falls, you can find a rare and unique ecosystem. The cool and damp rock face provides homes for many rare plants and amphibians.... The Hickory Nut Falls Trail winds through a mature deciduous forest with diverse flora and fauna. Throughout the springtime, Black-throated Green Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers and Ravens nest in the canopy and adjacent cliffs. Rosebay Rhododendrons, Wild Hydrangea and many woodland flowers bloom along the trail throughout the summer. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the crisp autumn air and witness the leaves as they change to hues of amber, crimson and flame-orange."