Near Stiles Falls Trail
Scrambling to the base of Stiles Falls
Near Stiles Falls Trail
Cooling off at the base of the falls
Near Stiles Falls Trail
The reward at the end of the climb

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Stiles Falls Trail

4.3 (3 Ratings)
A short hike to a beautiful waterfall.
1.6
mi
Distance
345
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsRiver/CreekViewsWaterfallWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
Visit http://www.altamons.org/hiking.html to see if the trail is open to the public when you want to visit. It is closed when camp is in session and during icy or snowy weather. Please respect camp property and leave it better than you found it.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.6mi
Distance
345ft
Elevation Gain
0ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
1,820ft
High Point
1,475ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The Stiles Falls Trail leads to the beautiful 50 foot Stiles Falls. This trail is completely on the property of Camp Alta Mons, run by the United Methodist Church, and the camp is amazingly gracious to allow the public to use the trail when camp is not in session (mostly summer) and there is not snow and ice on the trail. Please check out http://www.altamons.org/hiking.html to see when it is okay to use the trail. Please park at the parking area next to the bath house (on the right as you pull into the driveway). From here, follow signage to continue south along the main camp road. The road makes its way through the camp and crosses Purgatory Creek on a bridge into an open field. After passing by the field and house at the end of the field, follow the signs to the left at the junction with the Boy Scout Loop and Christmas Tree Mountain Trail. The trail becomes singletrack at this point and parallels Purgatory Creek to its end at Stiles Falls. The trail rock-hops across the creek three times before reaching the falls. It takes a bit of scrambling to get to the base. Be sure to respect camp property and respect others at the camp!

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Bottoms Creek Gorge

Hike Route

Bottoms Creek Gorge

Fall Colors
moderate
4.41 mi
+972 ft
Kelly Knob Out and Back

Hike Route

Kelly Knob Out and Back

Views
strenuous
7.68 mi
+2,122 ft
Rock Castle Gorge Trail

Hike Route

Rock Castle Gorge Trail

Fall Colors
strenuous
10.68 mi
+2,867 ft
Dragon's Tooth

Hike Route

Dragon's Tooth

River/Creek
strenuous
4.57 mi
+1,450 ft
Dragon's Tooth via the Appalachian Trail

Hike Route

Dragon's Tooth via the Appalachian Trail

Less Crowded
moderate
2.39 mi
+1,400 ft
Virginia's Triple Crown Loop

Hike Route

Virginia's Triple Crown Loop

Commonly Backpacked
strenuous
30.51 mi
+7,554 ft
Contributors
Steve Creech