Crabtree Falls (Virginia) Hike
Waterfall | Virginia
3 mi round trip
Crabtree Falls (Virginia) Hike at a Glance
The Crabtree Falls (Virginia) hike via the Crabtree Falls Trail is 3 mi round trip.
| Elevation at the falls | ≈ 1,610 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | Crabtree Falls Trail |
| Distance | 3 mi round trip |
Your time: about 1 h of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 15 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 570 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 3 mi distance for this hike is verified (nelsoncounty.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Crabtree Falls (Virginia)
Crabtree Falls (Virginia) is a waterfall in Virginia, on land managed by George Washington National Forest (U.S. Forest Service).
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the Crabtree Falls Trail: 3 miles round trip, from Crabtree Falls parking area, Crabtree Falls Highway (VA 56), Montebello. Distance from nelsoncounty.com.
Before You Go
- Visitors should never attempt to climb the falls or cross barriers placed for safety. (nelsoncounty.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check George Washington National Forest (U.S. Forest Service) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Crabtree Falls (Virginia)?
The Crabtree Falls Trail to Crabtree Falls (Virginia) is 3 miles round trip.
Where does the Crabtree Falls (Virginia) hike start?
It starts from Crabtree Falls parking area, Crabtree Falls Highway (VA 56), Montebello.
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 Crabtree Falls (Virginia) Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- nelsoncounty.com
- Distance
- nelsoncounty.com
- 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.