Hen Wallow Water Falls
Hen Wallow Water Falls
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
93 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
27
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Vanessa S
Euless, TX39 contributions
Jul 2022
To get here you must park at Cosby Campground and take Gabes Mountain Trailhead which is across the road from the picnic area. This trail is very wide and is a moderate hike with some uphill areas but is manageable. Very neat waterfall with lots of salamanders. The most difficult section was the 0.1 mile out of Hen Wallow Falls which was super steep and had to take multiple breaks before getting back on the main trail. I think my apple watch showed I climbed around 50 flights of stairs this hike. We started this trail around 7 and didn't see anyone until about 9:00 am on our way back to trailhead.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline K
McRae2 contributions
Nov 2011
Since we had never hiked Hen Wallow before, we thought that we would try it.. that was a big mistake. Hen Wallow is like Ramsay Cascade, just shorter and not as strenuous. The entire time you are climbing up over rocks and roots. The trail is rather short, but it does not seem that way. When we finally saw the waterfall, we were terribly disappointed. The water hose in my back yard is more impressive than this pathetic waterfall. (The lack of rain/water probably has something to do with it. )Although it wasn't the worst waterfall I've been to, I definitely will not be going back again.
Written 11 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NCUSA04
USA12 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
My husband I hiked to Hen Walls Falls in June of 2014. We are not out of shape but we are also not super in shape. We are also in our early 30s. We found this hike doable but we did have to catch our breath a few time. The whole hike took about 3 hours which includes hanging out at the waterfall for about 20 minutes.
What to Bring: The trail is rocky and the terrain is rough. We were glad we brought our hiking sticks. Good hiking shoes are a must! We wish we would have brought bug spray. It felt like gnats were constantly flying around me.
This trail is much less touristy than other close ones. We did see other people but it was by no means crowded. We also did not see any bears but there were signs warning us that we might.
What to Bring: The trail is rocky and the terrain is rough. We were glad we brought our hiking sticks. Good hiking shoes are a must! We wish we would have brought bug spray. It felt like gnats were constantly flying around me.
This trail is much less touristy than other close ones. We did see other people but it was by no means crowded. We also did not see any bears but there were signs warning us that we might.
Written 24 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaurainPCB
Williamsburg, VA56 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
This was quite a fun, somewhat difficult hike with a lovely waterfall at the end. Depending on your starting point, the hike is 4-5 miles roundtrip. We did not give ourselves enough time, and did not finish before dark (of course we packed flashlights, so it was okay). The trail was too difficult for our four year old, who had to be carried, but our nine year old handled it just fine. It is quite steep and uphill on the way there, with many rough sections of rocks and roots. Be sure to wear hiking boots, and carry flashlights, raincoats, water, and snacks. You will get to cross many streams, some with little bridges over them, which the kids always find fun. The 90 foot falls are quite lovely. We did this hike in about three hours, really rushing on the way back due to the sunset. However, you will be more comfortable if you budget four hours total. We did not pass a single other person either way on the trail, on Friday of Labor Day weekend, so I would say it is a less popular trail and a good bet when other trails in the park may be busy.
Written 6 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassie B
Biloxi, MS44 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
My spouse and I are in our mid 40's and not fitness buffs and definitely not hikers. But we are always up for an adventure. So we donned our new tennis shoes, a few snacks, water and off we went! It wasn't easy for us and mostly uphill, but the trail is wide and has a few log bridges. It is very pretty, the last little bit of the trail is steep downhill (which makes it hard coming back up) but the waterfall is quite nice! We sat for about 30-40 min, took some pics, ate our snack and then headed back. Overall it took us 3.5 after the break in the middle at the falls. We felt accomplished and really enjoyed our day and would love to do it again with our teens. The parking lot/picnic area is huge and we had a picnic before heading back into town.
Written 14 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley H
United States68 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
When we went to this water fall, the hike was the worst hike I've ever had. By the time we made it to the waterfall it looked like somebody was hanging a water hose over the mountain for the little water we saw. It was definitely not worth the hike. Don't do it!!!
Written 3 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sierra B
11 contributions
The hike itself was beautiful lots of places to stop and take pictures! Being a beginning hiker and honestly not too in shape it was enjoyable. You can stop and and rest and natures beauty if you get tired. The falls were so pretty too. Loved the experience :)
Written 27 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Newnahomber
Bellevue, NE7 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
My wife and I arrived at the trailhead around 7am and the area was completely empty. The trail is just over 2 miles, mostly uphill and very uneven (lots of roots) in parts. On the way to the falls we didn't pass a single person, but we did see black shape moving far off in the distance. I'm sure it was either a black bear or Sasquatch. About half way up, there is an area that must have been washed out - lots of downed trees and brush, but overall the trail was very scenic and quiet. The waterfall was beautiful. It starts in a very small opening and cascades down sheets of rock to the bottom. On the way down we passed a few groups of people, but it was by far less crowded than anything else we did around Gatlinburg. Make sure to bring plenty of water if you hike this during the summer because it's a moderate ascent to the falls and very, very humid. We would do this hike again for sure. Very pleasant day.
Written 18 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
william m
Pecatonica, IL1,158 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We really enjoyed the trail going back to Hen Wallow Falls. It does go up about 500 feet in the 2.2 miles that lead to the falls, but we two sixty-something people made it just fine. It is uphill and also very uneven footing with roots and unevenness, so you have pay attention. The trail crosses several logs over water which adds interest. The falls themselves are beautiful---about ninety feet high. Only the last tenth mile goes downhill quickly to get to the base of the falls. Of course, going back to Cosby picnic area is a piece of cake. It is gradually downhill and goes much faster. We probably spent three to three and a half hours on the trail, but we were in no hurry and enjoyed the journey. Be sure to take water along. We left by driving via the gravel road to Cataloochee which was another adventure.
Written 5 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
scottatFB
Annandale, VA26 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
The mostly uphill trail is easy to follow, wide enough to walk side-by-side and not as crowded as some of the others. Our two kids (10 and 12) handled the trail easily, but they are good at keeping up with us.
The first small fall you run across looks like a disappointment, but keep going. You are about 500 yards from the actual falls. At first we looked at each other and our expressions told the same story, "this is it"? And with a name like Hen Wallows, I started to think, "well sure, this looks like something a dirty chicken could roll around in". Thankfully another hiker told us that around the bend the real falls were running well.
The falls are nice with a small area to eat a quick bite before turning around. The rocks are slick at the base of the falls but you can get some great shots.
The first small fall you run across looks like a disappointment, but keep going. You are about 500 yards from the actual falls. At first we looked at each other and our expressions told the same story, "this is it"? And with a name like Hen Wallows, I started to think, "well sure, this looks like something a dirty chicken could roll around in". Thankfully another hiker told us that around the bend the real falls were running well.
The falls are nice with a small area to eat a quick bite before turning around. The rocks are slick at the base of the falls but you can get some great shots.
Written 8 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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