+ 9
Hen Wallow Falls
Hiking Trail
Hard
4.32 mi
1,070 ft
A stunning 90' waterfall that spreads from 2' at the top, to 20' at its base.
Hen Wallow Falls is a stunning 90' waterfall that spreads from a mere 2' at its highest, to 20' at its base. It's a great hike year-round and moderate to difficult at most. The [NPS]( notes that the walk is 4.4 miles round trip and takes most people between 3 and 4 hours.
There are several things that make this waterfall hike great. To start, during the warmer months, you can often find salamanders along the base of the falls. During the winter, "the waterfall can freeze into a beautiful icy column," the NPS writes. No matter the time of year, though, the mixture of beautiful hemlock and rhododendron tunnels will surely bring a smile to your face.
As for parking, look for a designated hiker parking lot near the Cosby Picnic Area. Alternatively, if you are spending the night within the campground, there is a spur to access Gabes Mountain Trail instead. The trail is well marked, and the simple out-and-back makes it hard to get lost. The waterfall is located about two miles up the trail and accessed by spur trail to its base.
Source: Written by Brendon Voelker
Hen Wallow Falls is a stunning 90' waterfall that spreads from a mere 2' at its highest, to 20' at its base. It's a great hike year-round and moderate to difficult at most. The [NPS]( notes that the walk is 4.4 miles round trip and takes most people between 3 and 4 hours.
There are several things that make this waterfall hike great. To start, during the warmer months, you can often find salamanders along the base of the falls. During the winter, "the waterfall can freeze into a beautiful icy column," the NPS writes. No matter the time of year, though, the mixture of beautiful hemlock and rhododendron tunnels will surely bring a smile to your face.
As for parking, look for a designated hiker parking lot near the Cosby Picnic Area. Alternatively, if you are spending the night within the campground, there is a spur to access Gabes Mountain Trail instead. The trail is well marked, and the simple out-and-back makes it hard to get lost. The waterfall is located about two miles up the trail and accessed by spur trail to its base.
Source: Written by Brendon Voelker
Route and Elevation
Segments
Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Unnamed Road Climb | 0.54 mi | 246 ft | 8.5% |
Cane Way Climb | 0.64 mi | 390 ft | 11.5% |
Cane Way Climb | 0.27 mi | 151 ft | 10.3% |