One of the popular trails in Chimney Rock State Park leads to an exceptional water feature, the Hickory Nut Falls. The moderate hike, taking in a mile and a half roundtrip, leads to the base of the 400 foot falls. Most summertime hikers are rewarded with the falls cooling mist. Today, the falls is all but frozen, as weeklong winter temperatures remained below freezing.
Five trails are woven throughout the park's mountainside, ranging from easy to strenuous. The Skyline Cliff Trail Loop provides access to the top of Hickory Nut Falls and fantastic views of the Rocky Broad River Valley below and out to Rutherford County and Lake Lure.
Chimney Rock State Park is the latest addition to North Carolina's state park system, found just to the southeast of Asheville on U.S. Route 64.