We explored a cave and waterfall on this easy Tennessee hike

There is a special waterfall hike at Colditz Cove that was too good for us to pass up when we were traveling through the area. All it took was one picture of Northrup Falls to convince me that we needed to do this hike. After visiting, I can confidently say that you simply have to see it for yourself to believe that something this beautiful exists, but here it was, hidden in the woods. Many hiking to a waterfall near Knoxville – not to mention the rest of the country – never ceases to amaze me! So I hope you have the same burning desire to go down to this waterfall when I show you, because I can tell it’s worth it.

We started the day early and as we pulled into the road we noticed a sign Rugby, Tennessee. I had read about this little historic town and had to make a detour. If you’re planning to hike Colditz Cove, it’s a great little adventure that I highly recommend doing. When we got to the trailhead there were storm clouds nearby, but we didn’t want the rain to stop us from a nice hike, so we packed up and hit the trail. There was almost no one around, so the walk through the forest was very peaceful. The route seemed very standard at first, but it served as a preparation for the final destination.

It was our first time seeing the falls from up high, but I always said, “Nothing beats standing at the base of the falls,” so we continued on. As the trail began to wind down, we found ourselves near the rock we were standing on. Spectacular rock formations and ledges were certainly a treat as we traveled. On the way to the bay, we saw many caves, hollowed out areas and fascinating rocks.

In the middle of the bowl-shaped bay was the stunning Northrup Falls. The light fell from the clearing among the trees above, so the sun illuminated the waterfall and it seemed to glow. The contrast from the darker rock overhang we had just passed to the waterfall in front of us was striking. The pool below shimmered in the light, and splashes of water against the dark rocks created a magnificent cascade.

As we explored the area, I noticed a trail behind the waterfall. There is always something magical about walking behind a waterfall, so I had to do it. I climbed over and enjoyed this rare opportunity; it made me stop and think where can I hike a waterfall in Tennessee? I remembered a few likes Grotto waterfall, Rainbow waterfalland Ozone waterfallbut still, this list is pretty small considering how many waterfalls there are in the Volunteer State, so this one in particular felt special.

While enjoying the cool mist of the waterfall and maneuvering through the slippery mud, I noticed something else. The trail continued behind the waterfall. The trail was actually a loop, which was exciting because it meant everything else we would see would be new. This part of the hike was adventurous, requiring us to climb over large rocks and dodge low-hanging tree branches. Eventually we met the top of the falls where we exited the forest and returned to the trailhead.

If it’s a waterfall hike in Colditz Bay, Northrup Falls is a must-see. This enchanting waterfall offers not only a feast for the eyes in terms of beauty but also comes with an adventurous trek. The whole route is short and sweet, but it helped me AllTrails Plus together. I hope this inspires you to go and do this hike too, but if you need more convincing, check out the Adventures in the Moment video showcasing our hike to Northrop Falls.