Last updated: September 15, 2023
Place
Big Branch Falls
NPS / Dave Bieri
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Scenic View/Photo Spot
New River Gorge Waterfall Tour Stop 7:
Big Branch Creek is a feeder creek for the New River near the town of Hinton. It has many small cascades and falls which are visible along the Big Branch Trail. The largest of these plunges nearly 30 feet down tiered sandstone and is located just a short hike from the Big Branch Trailhead. Hiking is required to reach this falls; Big Branch Falls is not accessible.
Directions
Big Branch Falls is located on the Big Branch Trail across from the Brooks Fall parking lot.
If Following Waterfall Tour from Glade Creek Falls: Return to WV-41 by following Glade Creek Rd for 5.6 miles. Cross the railroad tracks and take a slight left onto WV-41 S. Continue for 3.9 miles then turn left to continue on WV-41 S for 4.5 miles. Turn left onto E Beckley Bypass and follow 3.3 miles to I-64 E. Follow signs for I-64 E and merge onto the interstate. Follow for 13.8 miles to exit 139 for Sandstone. Take a left onto WV-20 S and follow for 10.3 miles to the town of Hinton. Continue through the town of Hinton. At the traffic signal in town, turn right onto WV-20 S / Temple Street. Cross the bridge and take a right onto WV-26 / New River Road. The trailhead will be on the left in 3.9 miles across from the Brooks Falls parking lot.
From Sandstone Visitor Center: Take a left out of the visitor center parking lot. Follow WV-20 S for 10.3 miles to the town of Hinton. Continue through the town of Hinton. At the traffic signal in town, turn right onto WV-20 S / Temple Street. Cross the bridge and take a right onto WV-26 / New River Road. The trailhead will be on the left in 3.9 miles across from the Brooks Falls parking lot.
To Hike to the Falls: From the trailhead, hike clockwise 0.7 miles to reach the falls. Beyond the falls, the trail will become more strenuous for the remainder of the loop. Good hiking shoes are recommended. Visitors may wish to return the way they came to avoid the steeper portions of the trail.