Apple Orchard Falls Trailhead

John Z

2023-11

Visited the apple orchard fall trail with my 3 and 5-year-olds, and it was quite the adventure! It took us about 3 hours, and I’m proud to say my little ones made it through. We did encounter some stairs that need attention due to rotting wood and protruding metal, which I hope will be addressed soon for safety. Water flow was minimal this season, but the dry trail made for a safe walk. My kids particularly enjoyed playing with the fallen leaves and pinecones. I’ve attached a scenic picture of the fall and an adorable shots of my kids in full autumnal joy. Overall, a memorable outing with just a few areas for improvement.

Chase Davidson

2024-05

The Blue Ridge Parkway sign is very misleading. The sign has arrows pointing to the right, the trail is straight ahead..behind the sign. Hundreds of people walk the road until they get tired and then come back. 50 years and they still have not corrected this sign.Take the trail not the road and you will have a great hike to the bottom of the falls.

Noah Aderhold

2024-04

Very fun little hike down to an awesome waterfall! It's less than a mile and a half to the waterfall from the trailhead, and the trail is well kept and easy. Because you hike down first, the trail going back up is more difficult, but still nothing treacherous. The views driving to this hike are splendid as well, making the trip as scenic as the waterfall. Overall, fun hike, pretty waterfall, good driving views. 5/5

Ariel Gonzalez

2023-08

Lovely trail, a lot of stairs… but worth it ! You have like 2+ miles to the bottom of the falls… but you will love it…Parking: I went during the week, nobody there. But I think if you go on weekends, the story will be different…

Heather Snyder

2023-10

Gorgeous hike for the prepared trekker 🙂 Hiking boots recommended. Lots of roots and loose rock down a fairly steep decline for 2 miles.Dog-friendliness: Dog friendly.

Marc Navez

2023-05

What a beautiful trail. It's harder than moderate, but it's worth the downhill hike to a beautiful and serene place of nature's wonder. Take hiking poles and go slow, and you'll be glad you went.

Thomas Proffit

2023-05

A wonderful trail with beautiful scenery and an amazing waterfall at the end. Technically there are two waterfalls, with one a little ways up from the main one that can trick people if they don't know about if they don't know that there is another trail that leads to the main falls. The trail itself can be a bit strenuous at times, especially going back up, so I wouldn't recommend people who have difficulty walking to hike this trail. Also, water run off can leave portions of the trail muddy, so be prepared for this. Water is a must recommend, atleast three bottles worth, and food like trail mix is also a good idea to bring. Overall the experience and reward at the end was worth the hike, perfect for even an occasional hiker.

Cathy Sarmento

2023-06

Quite a bit of elevation change but trail in good condition with steps well placed and resting benches. Being a waterfall junkie I thought it was worth the hike.

Megan Stevens (M3gZ)

2022-05

We decided to take a hike the last week in May. Beautiful scenery on the way down but we never made it to the falls due to the snakes. All black snakes thankfully which aren't as aggressive. There were at least 3 on our path so we turned around because the time of day we went in the evening there wasn't much traffic and didn't want to take any risks. The hike back up was very steep and difficult. Good luck!

Marie Strom

2021-05

Apple Orchard Falls is, HANDS DOWN, our favorite hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway! However, we take the side road down to the bottom and hike up. It's so much easier to come down the trail when you're tired! Beautiful falls, gorgeous babbling brooks, giant boulders and caves...I cannot express the beauty of this place!!

Katelyn Bodwell

2021-05

Such an amazing trail! It was easy going downhill to get to the falls but pretty rigorous to walk back up to the blue ridge parkway. Definitely worth the hike to get to this hidden treasure! We parked at sunset field and entered there. The trail follows a creek with many little waterfalls before the big one at the end which has a little boardwalk area around it.

Robert Malt

2020-05

The waterfall isn't the best but is definitely worth the hike. Took the gravel road down to bottom making it an easy 1 mile hike to the falls. Of course got to drive back up instead of hiking. Much easier

Ai Bo

2021-05

Ran these trails in the cold and rain, but the falls and landscape were no less stunning!Returned in the Summer months to hike with the family. Easy trail that is great for little legs and the main falls is only 1.2 miles from the trailhead.

Esteban Murillo

2021-05

The trail is great fun. Steep down hills and Ricky but the surroundings will make up for it. The water along the way is beautiful and refreshing. The first big waterfall has several places to explore if you are into walking around and looking for great hidden spots along with a hidden treasure,😉. The second and main attraction is about another ten minutes down. Follow the path or take the woods to the right of the water and use caution down the mountain. Beautiful and captivating. Take the trail up and take the easier car trail back to parking lot about half way up for those who may not be in the best of shape to make the rest of the way up using the trail. Take snacks and go with plenty of time to enjoy the beauty mother nature provides.

Ame Murray

2022-05

I went in the dead of winter.. so in all honesty it was a trickle of a fall. . But a great easy walk down..an effort for an out of shape 50 year old lol. My calves hurt the next day. All in all. I'll do it again... was very enjoyable. Unfortunate the videos wouldn't post. I would take a small hiking pack, eat lunch there, and enjoy that uphill back..lol

Mark Madonna

2023-12

Love this trail, super easy hike for the whole family. Our last trip included people of ages 8-72 with 3 dogs. Full loop down and back with the waterfalls running at least 50% of the trailDog-friendliness: If your dog loves water and hiking it’s a great spot.

Igor Savic

2021-05

Apple Orchard Falls Trail is a 2.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Buchanan, Virginia that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Brandie Shelton

2023-05

There was nothing easy about this trail. Rocks and roots everywhere with alot of steps and trees to climb over. Up hill battle is what it was. Waterfall at very end was pretty.

Michael Kricheldorf

2020-05

I decided to go hiking with my friend after it rained to see if the waterfall would be bigger. It was pretty unimpressive, but I really enjoyed the hike. It might not be the best trail in the world, but it's a great one.

Emie McGee

2024-05

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Devin Quesenberry

2022-05

Peaceful area to relax after a 1.2 mile descent. Is less popular due to having to do the hard part (ascend) at the end. My 3 year old handled it fine, so as long as you are older than him you will be fine!

Laura Regan

2023-09

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Willow Earth

2018-05

Beautiful walk in the woods, down the mountain to the falls. Be ready for the workout of a hike back up, though!

Colleen Larkins

2022-05

Beautiful hike down to the falls. It's about 3 miles round trip with a lot of stairs and an uphill climb back to your car.

Hannah Elstun

2020-05

Going down is lovely but be ready for that trip back up because it almost got me! Wonderful views and just lovely to walk it.

Kimberly DiGiovanni

2022-05

Mother nature at her best. Peaceful beauty. The waterfalls were so tranquil

Robert Ennis

2022-05

Great hike! Beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail. Very relaxing break before hiking back up to our car.

Angie Shively

2023-05

We had a beautiful day for our hike 10-8-22. It was 44 degrees and breezy when we set off on our adventure from Sunset Fields on the Parkway. Easy hike going down to the waterfalls, challenging coming back up. We started around 8:45am and got back to our car around noon. We stopped and took pictures along the way and enjoyed a snack and water at the bottom for a good thirty minutes. There were two big trees down across the path, we had to climb over one but was able to go around the other.We meet a gentleman with two young boys and his older father on our way back up. We worried all weekend about him and hoped they made it back up ok. The older man fell while coming down the wooden steps.While challenging I would definitely do this hike again, but not sure I would do it in the summer heat.If this is your first time on the trail there are two waterfalls. So make sure you continue past the first one to encounter the Apple Orchard Falls.

Evie

2023-05

Beautiful place to take a nice hike, steep descents but the waterfalls are absolutely worth seeing (I saw 2 but the stream went downhill more so I’m pretty sure there was more waterfalls) just make sure to do pocket checks it’s really easy to drop something without noticing. Very peaceful, colorful and overall amazing experience 🙂

Nathan Hill

2020-05

The hike down to the falls is steep at times, but the true workout is the return trip back up the trail. Great hike and exercise!