There are many incredible places to hike around Louisville, but one spot in particular stands out: Fairmount Falls. I discovered this amazing place while on the hunt for the best falls in the area (you can read the full article here) and had never visited before, so I was super excited to go check it out for myself! Along the way, I found an absolutely fantastic hike that definitely deserved its own feature, so I snapped some photos to share the beautiful sights along this trail. At only 1.1-miles long, this quick and easy hike leads you through a forest that is absolutely unforgettable!
Scroll down to see a few of the beautiful sights that this park has to offer, including the magnificent Fairmount Falls – it’s a true hidden gem right here in our city.
Fairmount Falls is located in southeast Louisville near Mt. Washington.
This beautiful trail is on the outskirts of Louisville and the entrance is easy to miss, as it's hidden behind trees. The trailhead is found at 9600 Thixton Lane and it's a pretty simple drive out from the city. Head south on Bardstown Road and turn right when you come to Thixton Lane. Be on the lookout for a sign (it will be on your right) that tells you when you're about 400 feet from the entrance. This photo was taken at the entrance of the park, looking out onto Thixton Lane.
In an attempt to preserve the lovely area that exists here, Metro Parks has decided to limit access to the parking lot and trails. The entrance is roped off and you must call the phone number given on the sign (502-368-5405) to gain entrance. They'll give you a combination to unlock the gate and enter the premises. This definitely adds to the excitement, as it feels like you're entering a secret park that only you can explore!
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Even the entrance is beautiful, with tall trees towering above the gravel driveway.
Pack a lunch before you head over to the Fairmount Falls trail. There's a nice shaded picnic table directly next to the parking area, so can fuel up for your hike. The entrance to the trail is to the right of this picnic table.
The plants surrounding the trail are a bit overgrown, which I think adds to the beauty of this location. This hike is fairly easy and although there are a few hills, walking to the falls shouldn't take more than twenty minutes.
Take your time. The forest is a beautiful sight to take in on your way to the main attraction.
Heading down the trail, you can look up and see these large mossy boulders. At first, you might wonder if this is a part of the waterfall, but keep heading onward; you'll know when you find the real destination.
Don't worry if you reach the sight of this road on your hike.
You'll need to cross a road before reaching the falls. It seems like the end, but you're heading the right direction. Cross the street and continue heading down the trail; you'll begin to hear a soft trickling within the trees.
Finally you'll reach the beautiful Fairmount Falls.
It turns out that it's not usually a huge, gushing waterfall - this only happens after heavy rains. Don't be deceived by its humble first impression, because the constant trickle flowing over the edge is actually lovely.
Be careful when you're around the ledge; Fairmount Falls is actually the tallest waterfall in Louisville and a fall from 40-feet up could result in an injury.
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Here is a view directly on top of the falls, where the creek is trickling down just before dropping off the cliff.
If you are looking for a more challenging hike, you can continue walking over the falls and keep following the trail, which will slowly descend to the bottom of the falls.
I hope my trek inspires you to visit this beautiful location in Louisville! Plan ahead and use caution if you do try to visit Fairmount Falls during the rainy season; the faster flow may be beautiful, but it’s also more dangerous.
If you enjoyed this article, check out this one about the best hikes around the city. Let us know where your favorite outdoor spots are across the city in the comments below or on Facebook.
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