Eternal Flame Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 30 ft high | New York
1.12 mi round trip
Eternal Flame Falls Hike at a Glance
The Eternal Flame Falls hike via the Eternal Flame Trail is 1.12 mi round trip.
| Falls height | About 30 ft |
|---|---|
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,180 ft |
| Trail | Eternal Flame Trail |
| Distance | 1.12 mi round trip |
Your time: about 20 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 30 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 210 kcal. No elevation gain is published for this route, so climbing time isn’t included.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 1.12 mi distance for this hike is verified (www3.erie.gov), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Eternal Flame Falls
Eternal Flame Falls is a waterfall in New York, about 30 feet high, on land managed by Erie County Parks (Chestnut Ridge Park). Its height is from en.wikipedia.org.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Eternal Flame Trail: 1.12 miles round trip, from Eternal Flame Parking Lot. Distance from www3.erie.gov.
Before You Go
- Dogs must be leashed at all times. (www3.erie.gov)
- Do not climb up or down the ravine or the waterfalls. (www3.erie.gov)
- Hikers must stay on marked trails. (www3.erie.gov)
- A set of 139 box steps bypasses the trickiest part of the Eternal Flame Trail. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The descent into the stream remains challenging, and extreme caution and proper footwear are suggested. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Erie County Parks (Chestnut Ridge Park) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Eternal Flame Falls?
The Eternal Flame Trail to Eternal Flame Falls is 1.12 miles round trip.
Where does the Eternal Flame Falls hike start?
It starts from Eternal Flame Parking Lot.
How tall is Eternal Flame Falls?
Eternal Flame Falls is about 30 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the Eternal Flame Falls trail?
Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Eternal Flame Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- www3.erie.gov
- Distance
- www3.erie.gov
- Falls height
- en.wikipedia.org
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.