Hike to Laurel Fork Falls
Hampton, Tennessee
Details
Distance
2.6 miles
Elevation Gain
600 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Elyse Clark
This is a short and easy hike along the Appalachian Trail to a gorgeous 55 ft. waterfall.
From Hampton, Tennessee, take US-321S for about 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road and travel for 4 miles on this steep and very curvy mountain road. The trailhead is where the Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses the road at a small gravel lot on the left.
Take the AT north on the trail leading out the left side of the gravel parking area. For about a mile the trail will follow an old rail bed and is fairly flat. There will be three bridges you will cross (two are quite small), and you will also enter the Pond Mountain Wilderness.
After 1.0 miles along the rail bed, the trail turns sharply left and loses a lot of elevation in a short time as you walk on rocky steps down to the falls.
Once at the falls there is a lot of room to spread out and soak it in. To return to your car, retrace your steps back south on the AT.
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Hike to Laurel Fork Falls Reviews
This is one of the biggest and best waterfalls in the area. There was a decent amount of parking, but it could easily become full on a busy day. The trail was well maintained and easy to follow. The trail does not have a ton of steep sections or incline until the very end going down to the falls. The drop down to the falls is basically rock steps. There is a big area at the bottom of the falls to swim and enjoy the water.
5.0
We really enjoyed this hike because we were here years ago with our 3 young children and couldn't believe how serene and beautiful it was. Now it's just my husband and I hiking every chance we get, so we came back and did some birdwatching and was all alone the whole day enjoying the quietness and really hiked to the very top if ridge at PotatoTop and relaxed while the view was of Pond Mountain was Spectacular. "Loved It"
5.0
These were great falls for a long exposure. The water was moving fast (recent rainfall) and although it was a bit brighter out than I would have wanted, it still allowed me to keep the exposure right and capture the motion of the water.
5.0
Great hike! Took three kids along ages 5, 5, and 3. The hike for the first half mile or so was pretty flat and easy. But then things got a bit dicey (especially for my 3 year old) as we walked down the rocky trail to the falls. For the most part it was still relatively easy if you take your time. Kids had a blast down by the water finding bugs and critters. Will definitely go down again later in the summer when the water is a bit warmer, the kids were dying to get in.
4.0
Did this hike with my wife and 6 year old son during winter with snow in the ground. Beautiful nice hike great trail.
4.0
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