Sight · Blue Ridge Parkway
Big waterfall reached by a steep, scenic creekside hike
Overview
Apple Orchard Falls is one of Virginia’s tallest waterfalls, dropping roughly 150–200 feet off Apple Orchard Mountain in Jefferson National Forest. The route starts from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Sunset Fields Overlook (around MP 78.4) and follows a scenic forest path to a boardwalk at the base of the falls. It’s a classic Parkway hike: big payoff, but be ready to work for it on the way back up.
The falls themselves are tall and dramatic, especially in spring or after rain.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhat Makes It SpecialMap
Local know-how
Start from Sunset Fields Overlook at MP ~78.4 and follow signs across the AT and a forest road to stay on the falls trail.
Start early; parking is limited and the climb out is hot and exposed in summer.
Wear sturdy shoes—the final approach uses steep wooden stairs and can be slick after rain.
Pack plenty of water and consider trekking poles for the sustained ascent.
Watch for ticks and stinging nettles near the creek; keep dogs leashed.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Ridge Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Ridge Parkway audio tourRecorded for this area
Sunset Fields: A Trailhead, Not a Viewpoint“You're approaching a pullout called Sunset Fields, but don't let the name mislead you. This isn't a spot for big views; it's the main trailhead for the popular Apple Orchard Falls Trail.”
Plays on the road 0.7 mi from Apple Orchard Falls in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“…We knew we wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. The narration was impeccably timed. The facts and info provided were meaningful. Without it, the trip would not have been near as awesome.”
Guide
From the Parkway trailhead, the Apple Orchard Falls Trail descends through rhododendron and fern-filled woods, crossing the Appalachian Trail and a forest road on its way down. Expect wooden bridges, a smaller cascade partway in, and wooden stairs on the final, steep approach to the main falls. The trail is recognized as a National Recreation Trail. Many hikers do it as an out-and-back from the Parkway; others link it with Cornelius Creek Trail for a longer loop or start from North Creek Campground and hike up instead.
Going down is the easy part; the return is a sustained, over-1,000-foot climb. Expect slick rocks and mud after rain, plus a lot of stairs near the end. Crowds are common on pleasant weekends and during peak flow or fall color. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Keep an ear out for songbirds and watch for deer moving quietly through the forest. Along the creek, you’ll pass lush rhododendron and ferns—and occasional stinging nettles near moist sections.
Wildlife
1,208 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
1,020 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
200 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingApple Orchard Falls Trail2.8 mi · 2.5 hr · 0.7 mi awayBlue-blazed descent to a 200-foot waterfall, with a hard climb back
ModerateAppalachian Trail (Parkway corridor)5.2 mi · 3 hr · 2.8 mi awayModerate Appalachian Trail out-and-back from Thunder Ridge to Apple Orchard Mountain
EasyThunder Ridge Nature Trail0.2 mi · 10 min · 2.8 mi awayShort, easy loop to a stone-walled overlook with Arnold Valley views and a brief Appalachian Trail section.
ModerateFallingwater Cascades Loop1.6 mi · 1 hr · 3.9 mi awayModerate 1.6-mile waterfall loop with cascades, rhododendron, and a real climb out.
ChallengingFlat Top Trail4.6 mi · 3.5 hr · 4.2 mi awayStrenuous point-to-point traverse over Virginia’s highest Peak of Otter
Trailhead · 0.7 mi awaySunset FieldsBusy trailhead for Apple Orchard Falls, not much of a view
Scenic pullout · 1.4 mi awayOnion Mountain OverlookSmall pullout with big southeast views and a short rock loop
Scenic pullout · 1.6 mi awayBlack Rock Hill OverlookQuick pull-off for a peek at dark diorite in the woods
Scenic pullout · 1.6 mi awayApple Orchard Mountain OverlookVirginia’s highest Parkway overlook with easy, big-sky sunrise views
Sight · 2.3 mi awayArnold Valley OverlookBig western views and sunsets over Arnold Valley
Scenic pullout · 2.8 mi awayThunder Ridge OverlookQuiet overlook with Arnold Valley views and a taste of the AT
Scenic pullout · 2.9 mi awayHeadforemost Mountain OverlookQuiet roadside stop with big views of Headforemost MountainParkwolf’s Blue Ridge Parkway ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
