![]() If you are visiting Eastern Tennesse or Western Virginia, a stop a Backbone Rock & Backbone Rock Waterfall is worthwhile. I think it is a trail that most people would be able to navigate, but you may want to watch little ones on this trail since there area a few steep dropoffs, steep steps, and could be slippery (wet leaves/rocks) especially after a rain. Being a LOOP, also gives you the option of hiking the 15 minute wooded trail OR taking the "short-cut" steep rocky steps to view the falls if you are short on time. It is a nice that this trail is basically a LOOP taking you from State Rd 133, through the woods, to the waterfall and then back to State Rd 133. I would recommend this trail to anyone who is looking for an easy to moderate hike to a waterfall in the area. This trail was not too difficult and it was really relaxing. So, you will even see a miniature waterfall in this brook near this entrance to the BackBone Rock Waterfall trail. At this entrance to the waterfall on State Rd 133, there is a little brook that runs from the waterfall to the roadway, over some multi-tiered rocks and then runs down under the road. From this entrance, you will just walk up the set of steep steps and only walk a matter of feet before arriving at the waterfall.taking maybe 5 minutes to get to the waterfall. If you don't want to spend 15 minutes or so hiking to the waterfall, then you could take this entrance from State Road 133 to the falls. This is what I would call the "short-cut". We walked a short ways and then came to a large set of steps carved in rock. We decided to continue on the trail and I'm glad we did. Once we viewed the falls, we couldn't decide whether to go back the way we had just come OR continue on the trail. It was definately worth the short hike and little effort required to view the falls. The sunlight was peeking through the trees and it created a really neat view of the falls and forest. It was not a really large waterfall, but was still quite pretty. It was really relaxing to listen to the water cascading down over the rock. We stood there taking in the sounds, scents, and sights of the area. We were the only ones on the trail at the time & it was so quiet. It was really peaceful being there in the park. Once we arrived at the falls, we stood there and took in the beauty of the wooded area. It can be done, but there is no actual "trail" leading you to the base of the falls. If you want to actually get down to the base of the waterfall, you will have to hike down an embankment with rocks grass, and weeds. There are several steps carved into the rocks to get you down near the falls. Here the trail does get a little steep and rocky. ![]() Once you near the waterfall you will cross over a small creek and walk down and around to the waterfall below. It will probably take you 15 minutes or so to hike to the waterfall from this entrance. There was one lookout point on the trail where it came to an opening in the forest. This was really helpful since there were not any signs or markers along the way. There are blue dots painted on trees throughout the trail to help guide you to the waterfall. It was not a difficult trail, but there area a few steep dropoffs along the trail. It is not paved, so you will be walking over dirt, fallen leaves, rocks and the occasional tree root. It is not a real steep trail, so most people should be able to hike this trail. It will take you through a wooded forest. The 1st entrance is closest to Backbone Rock and the informational signs. There are two entrances to the trail for the Backbone Rock Waterfall. It is also near a small informational sign about Backbone Rock. Once you park at the Backbone Rock parking lot, the waterfall trail is located to the right of the parking lot and across the street. We had been to Backbone Rock once over 10 years ago & thought it would be a nice place to revisit.and be a nice place to stretch our legs. We were driving Interstate 81 and had searched for activities along our route of travel. My husband and I decided to stop at Backbone Rock & Backbone Rock Waterfall on our way back from our trip to Gatlinburg, TN. It is located on a short trail near Backbone Rock on State Rd 133. ![]() The Backbone Rock Waterfall is located in the Cherokee National Forest near Damascus, VA and Shady Valley, TN.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |