Trail Length: 3.3 miles
AllTrails Rating: Moderate
famBeta Rating: easy length – with some slippery steps
famBeta Time: It took us about 30 minutes to reach the falls from the parking lot, and about 45 minutes to return after hanging out at the base of the waterfall for 30 minutes – if not more.
I want to start this review with a word of advice. DO THE FULL LOOP! We saw so many folks who started the trail going counterclockwise (To the right, from the 6 o’clock position) only to reach the falls and go back the same way they came. Yes, it’s true, you will save yourself probably a half mile by back tracking, but I’m here to tell you today that you are missing out.
I will say that while we consider this an easy trail with some slippery parts, that we didn’t do this trail without incident. Bodhi busted his knee (on the slippery steps and rocks), Erin bruised her bottom (on the slippery rocks at the base of the falls), and I took us off trail – forcing my family to scale a near vertical hill. We reconnected with the trail at the top of the hill, and laughed it off, but truthfully that was a very dangerous scramble. Still, this is an easy, well marked trail. The moral of the story is that you have to respect every trail, regardless as to what it is rated.
Enough about the route, this trail is beautiful. It’s another quintessential western North Carolina trail complete with dark green tunnels (take your shades off), walls of rhododendron, amazing rock features, and fantastic fungi.
The waterfall itself is stunning. At 70 feet in height it dominates it’s basin and provides a beautiful soundtrack to your time in nature. The rocks are slick. You will probably fall at some point if you choose to get your feet wet closer to the falls. You don’t need to get wet though, there are plenty of rocks along both sides of the basin that are a great spot for some photos or a snack.
Please learn from my mistake. When you leave the waterfall, and continue along the full loop take a moment to find the correct trail. You may see a foot path going off to the left which I believe takes you to the top of the falls. Avoid this path. Travel instead to the right, follow the trail, and avoid the bouldering.
Following the trail back is a beautiful stroll through the woods, it’s an easy stroll where we saw huge mushrooms, tons of birds, some deer, and tons of flowers.
There are several great overlooks in the area and due to it’s location Crabtree Falls can easily be combined with day trips to Mount Mitchell State Park (1 hr) or Little Switzerland, NC (20 min). Also there is tons of camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway, so consider stringing together a few stops and make a truly memorable weekend.
