Waterfall chasing isn’t always an easy sport. No matter much you want to see a particular waterfall, the trail always dictates how far you’ll get. For the experienced hiker, this is not a problem. But for the rest of us, getting to some waterfalls is beyond hope and could be downright dangerous. This could be the case entirely with the spectacularly hidden waterfall in North Carolina known as English Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The trailhead to English Falls is found at Milepast 322 on the Parkway. But don't be so fast to hit this trail.
AllTrails
Sure, the falls are breathtaking! But the trail is a treacherous descent into a gorge and should be skipped by inexperienced hikers or those with physical challenges.
AllTrails/Brian Murphy
Even though the trail is only 0.3-mile from the start to the waterfall, it has some serious uphill and downhill challenges.
AllTrails/Christine Jennings

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Most experienced hikers will bring their own ropes along to help out. Especially on slopes with this steep of a grade, it's never a good idea to use ropes that may have been in place for a long time and have started to decay. Or worse yet, aren't secure and you go tumbling down the cliff.
AllTrails/Krystal Parker
And the while the uphill may go smoothly just because you have a rope to steady your pace, the downhill side of the trail could mean you'll take a tumble.
AllTrails/Fernandez- Neswick’s Family
But, if you happen to be at the top of your hiking game and feel like you can tackle this trail, the payoff is totally worth the effort.
AllTrails/Krystal Parker
In well under 30 minutes of hiking you could find yourself discovering a waterfall few ever get to see. And it just may feel like you have it all to yourself.
AllTrails/BJ Myers

Because of the uphill and downill scrambles, the trail to English Falls is rated as HARD by AllTrails. As always, if you’re hiking alone be sure to let someone know where you’ll be and when you’re expected back.

For another – much easier – hike to a hidden waterfall in North Carolina, Plan A Visit To Secret Falls, North Carolina’s Beautifully Blue Waterfall.

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