Moormans River and Big Branch Falls

Moormans River and Big Branch Falls is a 4.5-mile out-and-back from Sugar Hollow’s North Fork access to the falls spur and back. Allow about 2½ hours and expect roughly 500 feet of climbing. Most of the walk follows the river through wooded valley, past small cascades before the named falls. I’d choose it for a creekside hike with a real waterfall payoff, as long as you’re comfortable with unbridged crossings.

From the first lot, walk about half a mile on the gravel road to a second lot and gate, then continue north on the former fire road along the river’s east bank. The main corridor is mostly level and shaded. A little after mile 2 it starts climbing; turn left onto the short falls spur, which passes a lower cascade before the larger falls. Retrace the same route.

Several unbridged crossings of the North Fork are the route’s main challenge. Lower water may let you rock-hop, but a crossing has been described as calf- to knee-deep after rain. High water can make the crossings dangerous; if any looks unsafe, turn back. Expect wet feet.

Big Branch Falls drops about 25 feet over a tilted greenstone face into a pool. Water follows the rock’s inclined layers, so the exposed face is part of the show. The short spur has smaller cascades before the main drop. Rocks beside the falls can be slippery; skip scrambling near the edge.

Use the North Fork parking area on Route 614, above Charlottesville Reservoir; the listed lot holds 10 or more cars on city property. A second lot is roughly half a mile farther up the gravel road and can trim about 0.8 mile round trip, though the last stretch has been described as rough. Pets are allowed on a physical leash no longer than six feet. For a shorter water walk, the separate South Fork route to Blue Hole is about 3 miles round trip; it does not reach these falls.