If you have never hiked, then taking your first step into the great outdoors can honestly be a little intimidating. Fortunately, hiking does not require any special equipment or skills.

All you will need is the ability to know where you are located and how to walk. The biggest mistake that you or any beginner is most likely to make is thinking that choosing a trail is just too difficult.

Understand that you might want a challenge, and all that’s fine – but don’t pick a challenge that will make you regret it. And obviously, you should definitely pick a challenge that has a reward in the end.

Interestingly, our first hike started with the infamous Stairway to Heaven – and we don’t regret it, but ideally, we should have started with something simple yet rewarding like Eagle Falls!

Yes, if you haven’t been to Eagle Falls in Kentucky and you have been seeking the perfect hike for beginners, then this is the sign you need – stay tuned to find out more!

The Hike To Eagle Falls: Visiting Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

The Eagle Falls trail is known for its beautiful landscape – whatever beautiful Lake Tahoe Basin has to offer, it’s here! From lush vegetation and plenty of evergreen trees to cascading waterfalls and huge granite peaks, there’s so much to see and explore.

Once you begin to ascend the slope from the parking lot, the beaten trail easily starts off. After nearly a quarter of a mile, you will be heading up a path made of pretty stone stairs that are cut right into the rock wall. And then, after you have hiked for another quarter of a mile, you will come across the falls.

The running Eagle Falls are certainly beautiful. Once you reach the falls, if you feel a little winded from the elevation around you, you can put an end to your hike. But if you have the energy to go on, then we DEFINITELY recommend going to Eagle Lake.

You will notice how the trail goes up – whenever the forest canopy opens up, look up at the intimidating, towering mountains around you. Once you reach Eagle Lake, just veer left and then continue until the trail ends at a vast collection of broken boulders. When you reach this spot, you will understand why we were hyping this place up so much.

When the glassy, transparent water reflects the mountains above, it will simply take your breath away – definitely worth all the hype and effort.

Today, let’s talk about Eagle Falls and the trail that will take you there!

About Eagle Falls Trail:

The Eagle Falls trail is 1.5 miles long and happens to be the only trail that leads up to the famous Eagle Falls. People usually follow the cliff line for most parts of the trail just to perhaps one of the most beautiful views of the Cumberland Falls.

After you have crossed a typical seasonal stream, Trail 9 becomes a kind of loop – only a spur can help you go to the river. The trail’s lower section during high water is underwater, while the latter part of the trail is very rugged.

While the trail is marked well, parking at the Eagle Falls trailhead is a limited affair. The trail does offer some of the most stunning locations and beautiful views, but it can be different at times because of the scrambling and the stairs needed to reach the falls.

However, the whole hike is worth the effort, with scenic views of the river and Cumberland Falls. It is best that you hike on dry days since it can be dangerous to do so in wet conditions.

Generally, the route is considered to be moderately challenging – it should take you a little more than an hour to complete the hike. It’s a popular hiking area, and as a result, it is normal to encounter people when you are out there exploring.

This 2.9-km loop trail located near Parker’s Lake in Kentucky is popular, and if you haven’t been here yet, it is time to do so! It’s open throughout the year, and you can reach here at any time you want. Just one downer, though – you cannot bring your puppy on the hike since dogs are not allowed here.

Tips (Especially If This Is Your First Trek):

So, if it’s your first time at Eagle River Falls, here are the tips you need to follow.

Being near South Lake Tahoe, the Eagle Falls trail is very popular. It is best that you visit the trail early in the morning, and season-wise, it is always safe to visit during Fall or Spring.

Do not forget to carry cash because you will need it to pay for parking. If you usually pay via online payment modes, then also it is better to carry cash – you don’t know when you will need it, and ATMs aren’t going to wait for you in the wild.

If you are going to hike to Eagle Lake, ensure that you opt for a Desolation Wilderness permit – you will find the same at the trailhead.

Across Highway 89, you will come across the well-known Emerald Falls. With the Emerald Bay as the backdrop, you can easily access the Falls with a fantastic vista of the cascading water.

Dream And Travel: A Hike To The Eagle Falls!

If you think the Eagle Falls golf course is waiting for you on arrival, then you are absolutely wrong. It is a hike, not a trip to an eco-resort – if you don’t have much experience with the outdoors, then it is possible to make this mistake from time to time. But the truth is, it is a hike – and modern amenities are likely to be missing.

The faster you understand this about the outdoors, the better your trip is going to turn out. So, tell us, what are your thoughts on Eagle Falls? Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences about hiking and Eagle Falls in the comments below.

Additional Reading:

Barsha Bhattacharya