Hickory Nut Gorge
Region
Featuring Chimney Rock
and Lake Lure
An All Things NC! Destination
Since the turn of
the 20th century, residents, tourists, and artists have traveled into the
Hickory Nut Gorge for recreation, nature, and inspiration. Beginning
in Gerton and running through the towns of Bat Cave and Chimney Rock, the
natural gorge, formed by the Rocky Broad River, ends at Lake Lure,
a very fitting name for the mountain lake. The highway (US
64/74-A and NC 9) that meanders through this narrow gorge runs just above
the highly scenic Rocky Broad which in the Summer months is full of vacationers
and locals enjoying the mountain water as it flows towards Lake Lure.
Many of these vacationers spend a day at Chimney
Rock Park, which for 100 years has delighted and inspired those who
visit it.
The Towering Chimney
Rock.
The park,
created by St. Louis-born, Dr. Lucius B. Morse, opened in 1902. It
is home to numerous hiking and nature trails, an inspiring waterfall, and
spectacular views that go for miles. Below are links to photos that
I had taken in both the winter and summer season while visiting the park.
Hickory Nut
Falls, along with the Rocky Broad, is my personal favorite feature of this
wonderful area. The falls, and other parts of the park, were backdrops
in the film, "The Last of the Mohicans." The falls have a vertical
drop of 404 feet making it one of the highest waterfalls east of the
Mississippi.
Water begins to cascade
from the height of Hickory Nut Falls.
The Town
of Chimney Rock has numerous inns, cafes, specialty shops, and various
outdoor pursuits. Visitors can enjoy fishing, moped rides, and of
course the friendly hospitality.
