Hike to Fallingwater Cascades

The trailhead for this hike is at the same parking area for the Flat Top Trail. From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area. It is quite tiny, and probably holds around 10 vehicles, but there was only one other car there when I went. It's probably like that most of the time except maybe the weekends. From the parking lot, walk across the road to where the trail starts. The whole trail is about 1.4 miles roundtrip, so it's fairly short and fun for the whole family.

Once you start on the trail, it is a steady downhill for most of the .7 miles in, so it is uphill coming back. The trail is well maintained and can get a little rocky at some points, but has stone steps and rest benches along the way. Once you reach the falls there is some washout on the lower falls, so caution is advised.

The upper falls is the pinnacle. It's not the biggest waterfall, but it is definitely spectacular to see. The water flow down the falls will depend on the season. It's a peaceful place to relax or do some exploring to find the best photo angles. Then it's .7 miles back out the parking area.