View from Chimney Rock, looking east toward Lake Lure.
For more than 100 years, Chimney Rock has been a sought-after destination for awe-inspiring hiking, due to the main natural feature of its 315-foot-tall monolith rock as well as the 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls. The area, surrounded by gigantic slick rocks and massive sheer cliffs, has drawn untold numbers of nature lovers, as well as movie filming crews, most notably 1992’s “Last of the Mohicans.”
However, the grounds of Chimney Rock State Park, located on the east side of Asheville, remained silent for the better part of a year due to four roads into the area destroyed or severely damaged as a result of flood waters and mudslides caused by September 2024’s Hurricane Helene. Even the steel bridge connecting the small town of Chimney Rock to the road that winds up to the park was washed away.
But Chimney Rock State Park is again open every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and offers not only exceptional views but great walking and hiking opportunities.
Even though – at least for the foreseeable future because of effects of Helene on the surrounding area – there is only one road currently open and visitors must now reserve a ticket ahead of time, prioritizing a trip to Chimney Rock is worth any inconvenience. Plus, most importantly, visitors are supporting one of this region’s breathtaking treasures.
Chimney Rock
To get to Chimney Rock State Park, travel on Interstate 26 from Columbus (41 miles from Asheville and about the same distance from Brevard) down pastoral NC 9 and through Lake Lure. It is important to only take this route as GPS will try to direct drivers through the other three pre-Helene routes that are either still 100 percent closed or are only open to construction crews, essential workers, and full-time residents.
Although the scenes around Lake Lure are mind-numbing in terms of visible damage, as well as countless dump trucks and backhoes in every direction, the temporary bridge to Chimney Rock is only a few miles past. Once over the bridge (a new permanent bridge is planned via the Raise the Rock initiative), a deep sigh may ensue. Driving up, up, up to the parking lot of Chimney Rock provides a glimpse of a mostly untouched Appalachian Mountain’s forest.
After getting parked, two choices are offered to reach the American-flag-topped “chimney”: an elevator ride or a workout of more than 400 stairs. Despite which route is chosen, making it to an elevation of 2,280 feet presents the gift of 75-mile panoramic views.
While just being on the stone pillar is quite enough for some people, options exist for venturing farther on the Outcroppings Trail to experience Gneiss Cave, formed when a large section of Gneiss granite fell. Additionally, this trail winds in, around, and over smooth rock via stairs and pathways. The short, 20-minute Exclamation Trail affords a different view of Chimney Rock; plus, on the way is Opera Box – a stone shelf, under which visitors can have their photographs taken.
The 2.2-mile round-trip Skyline Trail is the longest and leads to the top of Hickory Nut Falls, with a stop at the Peregrine’s Point overlook, 2,640 feet above sea level. After viewing all the stunning high elevation vistas, a drive back down toward the exit of Chimney Rock provides a hike of 1.4 miles, round-trip, to enjoy standing at the base of Hickory Nut Falls. A few other trails are available inside the park as well, but that is a glance at some of the main ones.
Finally, for families of small children, there is an educational Animal Discovery Den and an interactive Great Woodland Adventure trail; for the more adventurous: rock climbing.
The website conveys more of the history and specialness of Chimney Rock State Park, which – from the Plateau – is a rewarding day trip that will leave everyone involved singing its praises.
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