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Natural Heritage Trail

Hickory Nut Gorge

Rushing waters, rocky cliffs, a giant waterfall and pristine forests make Hickory Nut Gorge a popular destination for hikers, leaf-peepers and photography buffs. Over eons, the Rocky Broad River has cut through the mountainous terrain to create the 14-mile gorge, which drops about 1800 feet between the town of Gerton and Lake Lure.

Travelers driving from Hendersonville or Black Mountain will first come to Bat Cave, a town and a Nature Conservancy preserve by the same name. The preserve protects the rare and endangered Indiana bat. The town of Bat Cave offers quaint shops, mountain crafts and numerous restaurants.

One of the best known attractions in the Chimney Rock, NC area is Chimney Rock Park. Visible from the highway, the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls – which are twice as high as Niagara Falls – spill over the sheer cliffs in the Park. The Chimney itself, a stunning geological formation, presides over the Gorge like a lookout. The Park and the Hickory Nut Gorge provided the locale for the movie Last of the Mohicans. Visitors can reach the heart of the waterfall on the Park's Skyline-Cliff Trail Loop. Other popular trails are the Forest Stroll, the Skyline Trail and the Cliff Trail.

At the bottom of the Hickory Nut Gorge is placid Lake Lure, which offers a sandy beach and swimming area, a lakeside gazebo popular for weddings and boat tours. The town of Lake Lure is quite popular with seasonal visitors and offers a number of accommodations and restaurants. The movie Dirty Dancing was filmed here.

Straddling four counties and encompassing four communities, the 20,000-acre Gorge is an ecological treasure of national significance. The Hickory Nut Gorge is home to 37 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species.

Hickory Nut Gorge Hours of Operation
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hickory Nut Gorge Admission Fees
The Hickory Nut Gorge does not require an admission fee.
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Hickory Nut Gorge Location
Hickory Nut Gorge is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina. It is accessible via US Highway 64 from Hendersonville and Rutherfordton, and on US Highway 9 from Black Mountain.

Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 32
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
(828) 625-2725
http://www.chimney-rock.com/