Yellow Branch Falls

Photo Courtesy:  Mark Oleg

A moderately difficult out-and-back trail leads you to the base of a spectacular 50-foot vertical cascade. After a short hike on the Yellow Branch Nature Trail, you will come to the junction with the Yellow Branch Falls Trail. You will pass through groves of dignified hardwoods and cross meandering creek bottoms before turning to circumnavigate the steep terrain. In the winter when the trees are bare, you can see the Walhalla vicinity as you hike. Wear sturdy shoes and use extra caution during wet conditions as the trail skirts the edges of deep ravines. Conversely, if it hasn’t rained for some time, the falls may be just a trickle of water over a series of ledges.

Trail description:

• After a short hike on the Yellow Branch Nature Trail, you will come to the junction with the Yellow Branch Falls Trail.
• Once upon the Yellow Branch Falls Trail, you will walk through a hardwood forest along Yellow Branch Creek. Terrain will be EASY, mostly level for about 0.4 miles. Depending on which route of the nature trail you took from the parking area, you will cross Yellow Branch Creek up to four times.
• After the last crossing over Yellow Branch Creek, you will hike along steeper terrain approximately 1 mile to the waterfall. The trail will wind mostly downward, wrapping around the mountainside. Trail is of MODERATE difficulty here due to elevation changes. Initial 0.25 miles of the descent to the waterfall is the steepest section, and levels out as you get closer to the waterfall.

Click here for a printable guide and vicinity map.

At a Glance