Perched on the edge of the sprawling fingers of Lake Lure, the Hickory Nut Gorge is a 14-mile-long canyon that cuts its way through the Appalachian Mountains. Located just south of Asheville, North Carolina, this protected plot of 20,000 acres is dotted with waterfalls, soaring cliffs, and the Rocky Broad River, cutting its way through thick forest and carving the canyon over thousands of years.
A part of Chimney Rock State Park, one of the best ways to explore the area is on the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, which highlights some of the best features of the gorge. This 1.4-mile out-and-back trek begins at a beautiful wooden arch before making its way around Chimney Rock Mountain, towering 315 feet tall and sitting at an elevation of 2,280 feet. On average, the hike takes about an hour to complete, depending on how much time you spend standing in the cool mist of the falls.
You’ll make your way uphill, with about 328 feet of elevation gain, to the base of Hickory Nut Falls, a 404-foot-tall waterfall that plummets from the top of Chimney Rock Mountain. While the trail is fairly easy, hikers will come up against a set of stairs that lead to the base of the falls, a slight incline, and some rocky sections. Along the way, visitors are treated to dense deciduous forest, picnic tables and benches that are perfect for snacking, and wildflowers in spring and summer.
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