I have a weakness for waterfalls… But then again, who doesn’t? I can think of little else that has such natural, raw beauty. And, better yet, they’re so consistently beautiful. Big or little, wide or narrow, tall or short, all succeed in effortlessly capturing silenced awe from onlookers.

Crabtree Falls in the George Washington National Forest certainly did not disappoint. At an easy hour-and-a-half drive North of Roanoke, the trip makes for an excellent half-day trip. The hike itself is not overly strenuous–only 1.7 miles. The fantastic thing about the hike is that it’s constantly rewarding. The trail zigzags up the mountainside, always bringing you back to the stream. There are a total of five waterfalls, as well as multiple overlooks for several of them. Almost every overlook also has an off-trail access point for you to get up close and personal with the cascading water. Unfortunately, unlike many other falls I’ve been to, these did not have very large pools at the bases. So there’s really not much of an opportunity for swimming.

Concerning the stone foundation of the cascades, this is a rare instance in which I do not condone rock climbing. The falls can be treacherous–28 people have died as a result of getting a little too close to the peaks–so do not underestimate them. That said, I was able to do everything I wanted to do without ever putting myself in mortal danger. If you can’t accept the idea of going outside without climbing something, then there are actually a few boulders sporadically placed alongside the trail–well out of the stream’s reach so feel free to climb those if you must.

All in all, between the plethora of falls, the boulders, and the truly awesome vista at the end of the marked trail, this little outing was one that definitely inspired me.

Enjoyment: 3/5

Difficulty: 2/5

Recommended: Yes

Bring: Water, snacks/lunch, waterproof hiking boots, small towel