Hickory Nut Falls Trail

Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip hike in Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina, that leads to one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States. The impressive 404-foot cascade plunges dramatically down the cliff face, visible from the overlook platform at trail’s end. The moderately easy trail winds through a beautiful forest of hardwoods and rhododendrons, with the roar of the falls growing louder as you approach. Movie fans may recognize the falls from the climactic scenes of “The Last of the Mohicans.” The trail features some steps and moderate elevation change but is manageable for most hikers. For a complete Chimney Rock experience, combine this hike with the climb to Chimney Rock summit and the Exclamation Point trail for panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge.