How long does the Skyline Trail take?

The park's trail page gives a range. Plan for the full stretch of it, not the low end, and remember the trail closes earlier than the Hickory Nut Falls Trail does.

Which should I hike first, Skyline or Hickory Nut Falls?

If you want both and time is tight, do Skyline first. In main season it closes earlier than the Falls Trail, so saving it for last is the way to miss it.

Hickory Nut Falls in winter conditions at Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock on a Clock: Which Trail to Do First When Time Is Short

The trail that closes first should go first.

Photo: John J. Mosesso / USGS, Public Domain — winter conditions shown

Chimney Rock's entry deadline gets all the attention. What catches people is the next layer down: each trail has its own closing time, and they aren't the same.

The Numbers That Matter

In main season, the park lists these cutoffs:

Skyline Trail closes at 5:00 PM
Hickory Nut Falls Trail closes at 6:00 PM
Entry closes at 5:30 PM, and the park at 7:00 PM

So the trail with the longer hike also closes first, and it closes before the entry deadline has even passed. Someone who walks in at the last moment can no longer start Skyline at all.

How Long Each Hike Takes

The Skyline Trail is 1.1 miles one way (2.2 miles round trip) and rated Moderate to strenuous. The park puts the time at 2 to 2.5 hours.

The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is 0.7 mile one way (1.4 miles round trip), rated Moderate, and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. It ends at a waterfall of 404 feet.

Sequencing a Short Visit

Decide whether you want Skyline at all. If you do, it gets the early slot, because its closing time is the one you can't beat by hurrying.
Take the elevator when daylight is the constraint. It's Operational — included with all tickets, and it gets you to the summit without spending trail time.
Save Hickory Nut Falls for last. It closes later and takes less time, so it's the one that fits into the end of the day.

Do the sums with your own pace and your own group, and leave margin. Kids and photo stops stretch a trail faster than a trail page assumes.

Plan Your Visit

Chimney RockChimney Rock Hiking TrailsEvery trail, its distance, and what's open.Chimney RockHickory Nut FallsTwo ways to see one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi.Chimney RockElevator & AccessibilityWho can use the elevator and what to expect.Insider TipsThe Best Time to VisitThe late-afternoon window.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Skyline Trail take?: The park's trail page gives a range. Plan for the full stretch of it, not the low end, and remember the trail closes earlier than the Hickory Nut Falls Trail does.
Which should I hike first, Skyline or Hickory Nut Falls?: If you want both and time is tight, do Skyline first. In main season it closes earlier than the Falls Trail, so saving it for last is the way to miss it.

Last updated: 2026-10-16