Parking
Park at Sunset Field Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 78.4; the trail begins at the overlook.
Overview
About Apple Orchard Falls Trail
Why go
- A safe viewing platform brings you close to the tall waterfall
- Blue-blazed route through a shaded creek hollow with bridges and steps
- A rewarding waterfall hike from the Parkway
Heads up
- The return to Sunset Field is a sustained climb
- Wet rocks, roots, bridges, and steps require careful footing
- No potable water at the trailhead
This roughly 2.8-mile out-and-back from Sunset Field Overlook leads to a safe viewing area beneath a tall, tiered waterfall. Allow about two to three hours for the descent, creekside walking, photo stops, and the climb back to the Parkway. It suits hikers who want a real effort for a clear payoff, not a quick roadside walk.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Blue Ridge Parkway map
Full mapElevation2,674–3,448 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Blue Ridge Parkway alerts
- ClosureNorth Carolina Helene-related closuresAvoid the closed Parkway section from MP 344.2–355.3; recreation of any kind is prohibited there.Official details
- ClosureVirginia Parkway closures and detourFollow the signed detour around the closed James River Bridge and avoid the closed Roanoke Mountain Loop. - James River Bridge (MP 63.5–63.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Your drive to Apple Orchard Falls Trail, narrated.
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 ViewpointListen
“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 near this trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- The ‘Giant Golf Ball’ on the Horizon
- Black Rock Hill Overlook: A Geology Stop
- Onion Mountain Overlook and its Quick Loop
- Apple Orchard Mountain Overlook: Virginia's Highest Viewpoint
- 277 audio storiesacross Blue Ridge Parkway’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Elk, White-tailed Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 112 trails, 232 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“…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.”
Trail guide
Hiking Apple Orchard Falls Trail
Follow the blue blazesThe route follows the blue-blazed Apple Orchard Falls Trail from the Parkway, with an…
The route follows the blue-blazed Apple Orchard Falls Trail from the Parkway, with an Appalachian Trail crossing and a forest-road crossing along the way. Expect natural dirt and rock, roots, bridges, steps, and a viewing platform near the falls. The stored line ends at the waterfall approach rather than continuing along the longer trail toward North Creek; the visitor distance is the full return trip.
What to look forThe shaded hollow brings together creek sounds, small cascades, mossy rock, and a broad…
The shaded hollow brings together creek sounds, small cascades, mossy rock, and a broad waterfall framed by forest. The platform is the place for a close view and a useful sense of scale in photographs. Look back toward the open mountain scenery near Sunset Field when you make the climb out.
Plan the returnPark at Sunset Field Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 78.
Park at Sunset Field Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 78.4, where the trail begins. Bring all the water you need because there is no potable supply at the trailhead. Dogs are allowed on leash, but steep grades, uneven footing, wet rocks, and steps make this a poor choice for wheelchairs and strollers. The return climb is the part to budget for, especially when the trail is wet or icy.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Blue Ridge Parkway
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.
