By the Numbers

• Chimney Rock's 404-foot Hickory Nut Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the East. Think our Falls look familiar? They were showcased in the 1992 remake of the epic film The Last of the Mohicans.
• The waterfall is the stunning reward at the end of a not-too-strenuous .75 mile hike on the Hickory Nut Falls trail. Recommended for the casual hiker and families with children, this trail’s got plenty of shade with just a few moderate inclines.
• Within our 1,000-acre paradise, there are 5 unique hiking trails.
• You can take a 258-foot elevator ride inside the mountain in about 30 seconds to the Chimney level.
• There are 44 steps from the boardwalk near the Sky Lounge to the top of Chimney Rock.
• The Chimney, a 535-million-year-old monolith whereby the Village of Chimney Rock gets its name, can be seen from the charming streetscape down below.
• The Rock itself is 315 feet in height.
• On a clear day you can see Kings Mountain, more than 75 miles to the east.
• The rare Peregrine falcon can travel in excess of 200 miles an hour. A pair have made their home on our cliffs since the mid-1990s, and they are followed closely by the NC Wildlife Commission and bird enthusiasts. Best viewing times are early in the morning from the Outcroppings trail in the Park.
• If you hike to the top of the Chimney from the parking lot, you’ll have climbed more than 400 stairs along the trail.
• Hickory Nut Gorge is 14 miles long and is comprised of the villages of Gerton, Bat Cave and Chimney Rock and the town of Lake Lure.
• The Gorge supports at least 14 natural community types, six of which are considered rare.
• A study done in 1996 showed 37 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species in the Gorge.