About this place

Three trailheads exist for the Apple Orchard Falls National Recreation Trail. One at the top, off the Blue Ridge Parkway; One trailhead in the middle of the trail, off Apple Tree Road; One trailhead at the downhill end, nearest to North Creek Campground and Cornelius Creek Trailhead. The uphill trailhead leaves Sunset Fields at milepost 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and winds down Apple Orchard Mountain, generally following the headwaters of North Creek. Hikers will follow the coursing stream as it travels down the mountain. The trail pauses at a wooden platform overlooking the waterfalls then travels to a boardwalk at the base of the waterfall. Hikers stopping at the middle trailhead quickly encounter wooden bridges criss-crossing the creek as they progress uphill to the viewing platform. The most downhill trailhead begins in relatively flatter terrain before eventually ascending a steeper grade toward the viewing platform.