Hike To A Waterfall And Ruins Of A An Old Homestead On This North Carolina Hike

Looking for a short hike with lots of attractions? You’re in luck if you’re near Tryon or Saluda, or will be visiting the area. There’s a trail here that leads to a waterfall and past the ruins of an old homestead in North Carolina. Check it out!

The Drip Falls Trail is 1.8 miles long (0.9-mile each way) and leads through the Norman Wilder Forest Preserve in Polk County.

Google/Bobby Painter

Grab the hiking boots and get ready for a not-so-easy mountain stroll where you’ll reconnect with nature in the best way.

Google/Tyler Shealey

Prepare for a little side trail exploration as you pass by an old homestead. The foundation and fireplace remain of the original structure.

AllTrails/JC Knott

The trail contains no kiosks with info about the old home. But you’ll feel a connection with the past anyway.

AllTrails/Olivia Neal

At about the one-half-mile mark, you’ll have hiked up the better part of a small mountain where the view is fantastic.

AllTrails/Roger Mohr Stop here for a moment (or longer) and take it all in.

Most of the trail is considered a stead climb upward as you make your way to the waterfall known as Drip Falls.

AllTrails/JC Knott

In the rainy season, Drip Falls has a little more than a drip.

AllTrails/Liene K However, in the less rainy season, you may hike here and literally find only a drip - or no drip at all!

But the hike is a beautiful stroll with an elevation gain of just under 200 feet. Most of the gain takes place on the trip to the falls so the trip back is a piece of cake.

Google/Marlene Nesbit

The Norman Wilder Forest Preserve is a 183-acre tract of land under the stewardship of Conserving Carolina. A variety of trails are carefully mapped into the terrain of Little Warrior Mountain. Learn more about the trail to Drip Falls here from AllTrails.com.

Google/Bobby Painter

Google/Tyler Shealey

AllTrails/JC Knott

AllTrails/Olivia Neal

AllTrails/Roger Mohr

Stop here for a moment (or longer) and take it all in.

AllTrails/Liene K

However, in the less rainy season, you may hike here and literally find only a drip - or no drip at all!

Google/Marlene Nesbit

When you’ve wrapped up your hiking adventure to Drip Falls, head over to Saluda, North Carolina, to see why this little mountain town is so incredibly unique. Read all about it here!

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Address: Tryon, NC 28782, USA