Hiking at Chimney Rock State Park - Chimney Rock, North Carolina

Chimney Rock State Park is located next to Lake Lure in the western part of North Carolina.  At the base of this mountain is a quaint cute town with shops and restaurants, and the spectacular Rocky Broad River.  It costs $15 per person to get in, however if you have an AAA, AARP, or REI membership you get a $2.00 discount on the entry fee.  If you wish you can park in the parking lot to the left in front of the Four Seasons Trail and hike up to Hickory Nut Trail.  Another option is to drive all the way to the top where the Gift Shop / Elevator is located and start hiking from there.  There are bathrooms located at both locations.  You can either take the 26-story elevator to the very top, or climb stairs to the top.  I always take the elevator.  When you walk down the corridor to get to the elevator, it is nice and cool in there, even on a hot day.  Once you get off the elevator you go through another Gift Shop which also contains a small deli and outdoor seating.  Cross over the Sky Walk to visit the Rock.  The Skyline Trail will take you to see Opera House , Devils Head, and Exclamation Point.  All these views show Lake Lure and the surrounding mountains.  There are many stairs at this Park so be prepared for that.  The Hickory Nut Trail is easy and takes you to a magnificent waterfall.  Once you are finished hiking you can visit the small quaint town at the bottom, but good luck in finding a parking spot.  The town provides tourist parking spots all up and down Main Street but this is a very popular place so the spots fill up fast. This is a very popular tourist attraction and it does get crowded very quickly, even in the morning.

For the Hiker

There are miles of trails, from moderate to strenuous that are ecologically and geologically diverse and beautiful.  There are many picnic areas located within the Park for lunch during your hike.

Four Seasons Trail:  Moderate to Strenuous; 1.2 miles round trip

This trail is geared towards bird watchers and those who are looking for a good invigorating workout.  Beginning at the upper Meadows and leading to the Hickory Nut Trail, it provides a way to hike from the Meadows to the bottom of the Falls and/or the Chimney.  This trail has a 400-foot elevation gain and is steep.  Make sure you make arrangements for your vehicle to be at your final destination if you plan to hike the entire mountain and don’t wish to return to your starting point by the trails.

Hickory Nut Trail: Moderate; 1.5 miles round trip.

At the end of this trail is the magnificent Hickory Nut Waterfall.  You can take your shoes and socks off and wade in the water at the base of the falls.  Keep in mind that there are water snakes that live in this area. They are not venomous and probably try to stay away from people.  The last time I was out there I saw three of them sunning themselves in a bush growing out of the water.  A photo is provided, even though the photo looks scary I included the photo so you can see them sunning themselves.

This 404-foot waterfall is the tallest on the east of the Mississippi River.  This trail has several moderately rolling hills and a small set of stairs at the base of the falls.  It is not stroller and wheelchair accessible.  This waterfall was also featured in the film The Last of the Mohicans.

Skyline Trail: Moderate to strenuous; .7 Mile Round Trip and takes about 45 minutes.

This trail will take you upwards another 200 feet to the highest lookout point in the Park – Exclamation Point!  The name speaks for itself!  There are stairways and switchbacks that will take you to some of Chimney Rock’s most popular geological formations and spectacular viewpoints, including the Opera Box and Devil’s Head.  It is an uphill climb so be sure to take plenty of water with you.

For the Kids

For the kids and kids-at-heart the Great Woodland Adventure trail features 12 discovery stations with large hand-crafted sculptures by local artists.  The trail helps kids explore nature through the use of fun and educational self-guided brochures.  Stop by Grady’s Animal Discovery Den, which contains exhibits and live critters.

This trail is an interactive, user-friendly loop trail as the Park’s ambassador Grady the Groundhog introduces you to his woodland friends.  Handcrafted wood and metal sculptures help bring these animals to life.  It is an easy walk with a few short uphill sections and sets of stairs.  Be sure to stop at the Grady’s Animal Discovery Den before you leave so you can meet some of Grady’s live animal friends.  You can also pick up one of the TRACK Trail brochures to turn your hike into a self-guided and fun adventure.