Hike to Conasauga Falls
Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Details
Distance
1.5 miles
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Nathan Szwarc
Relatively easy 1.75 mile hike that leads to a beautiful, secluded three-tiered waterfall. The hike is not far from Knoxville or Chattanooga and is also close to the Cherohala Skyway.
Getting to the trailhead can be a challenge if there has been any heavy precipitation or icy conditions due to the fact the last two miles are one mile of broken pavement and the last mile a dirt road. You should be fine in good conditions in any car; however, just make sure to take it easy on the dirt road because it can be rough. Now, when you reach the end of the dirt road, you will come to a dead end in a circular parking area where there are two trails at the end. You will want to take the trail on the left marked by the hiking symbols to go down to the falls. The trail on the right is overgrown and I am unsure where that leads too.
On the trail, you will descend for close to three quarters of a mile and about four hundred feet on a well maintained trail until you reach the falls. About two thirds of a mile in, there can be a small creek crossing if there has been heavy rain, but nothing that should cause you any trouble other than getting your feet wet. There are no turns onto other trails or cutoffs to get to the falls, so simply stay on the trail you started on. Once you have reached the falls, you can get up closer by climbing over a few rocks and logs to reach the base of the falls and literally walk to the middle of them -- be careful because it can be slippery. The falls are most often flowing pretty well, even if there has not been a ton of rain. If you're planning to do some photography there, try and go as early as possible because the waterfall itself is quite exposed to sunlight. The hike back will be significantly more strenuous because it is all uphill. The way back the is the exact same as the route you came down. The hike could take about an hour or two depending on how long you stay at the falls, and if you really want to, you could do it easily in under an hour. Lastly, the trail does keep on going after the falls; however, it gets pretty rough. I have never been back there due to time constraints, but some pages indicate it may lead to some smaller falls or a swimming hole, so if you have some extra time I would definitely encourage you to see if there is anything further on. As always try to make sure you leave the trail better than you found it.
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Reviews
This is a very neat place. I honestly like the trail here the most it takes you through a lot of conifers which is not common in this area.
5.0
The trail to the falls is pretty narrow with a steep embankment to the side. A couple of rocks to climb over. I wouldn't recommend it for kids. We took our dog and he did okay. All downhill in, and a pretty taxing uphill all the way out. The falls are very nice. We were the only ones there, but there wasn't a ton of room to observe the falls. It could be uncomfortably crowded very easily. Over all a great short hike. Took us less than two hours to hike in, enjoy the falls for bit, and then back to the Jeep.
4.0
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