Brandywine Falls Upper Boardwalk

Brandywine Falls Upper Boardwalk follows a paved approach and wooden boardwalk on an out-and-back of about 0.4 miles round trip from the parking area to the upper overlook. Allow about 30 minutes with a stop at the falls. It is the short choice if you want the waterfall without walking the longer gorge loop. The first overlook is wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed on leashes no longer than six feet.

A paved approach from the lot leads onto the wooden boardwalk and to the first viewing area. From there, you look down toward the falls and into the gorge. The more direct, head-on view is from a separate lower spur with numerous steps; that spur is not part of this route. From the upper rail, frame the dark rock rim with the water so the view shows how the falls break across the ledge.

The 90-space lot has restrooms but no overflow parking, and it often fills by 10 a.m. on pleasant days and weekends. Come early or later if you want a better chance at a space.

Brandywine Creek cuts over a hard cap of Berea Sandstone and softer Bedford and Cleveland shales. Those thin shale layers break the water into the falls’ veil-like pattern. The shales began as seafloor mud roughly 350 to 400 million years ago, so the short walk gives you a close look at a very old slice of the valley.

George Wallace built a sawmill at the top of the falls in 1814. Grist and woolen mills followed, and a village grew around them. Most of Brandywine disappeared when nearby I-271 was built; the James Wallace house survives as the Inn at Brandywine Falls.