We Walked Behind a Magical Waterfall While Hiking at Colditz Cove in Tennessee

There is a particular waterfall hike in Colditz Cove that was just too good for us to pass up when we traveled through the area. All it took was one picture of Northrup Falls to convince me that we needed to go on this hike. After going, I can confidently say you just have to see it for yourself to believe something this beautiful exists - but there it was, hidden in the forest. The plethora of waterfall hikes near Knoxville - let alone all the rest of the state - never ceases to amaze me! So I hope you have the same burning desire I had to hike to this waterfall once I show you, because I can say it is more than worth it.

We started the day early, and along our drive out to the trailhead, we noticed a sign for Rugby, Tennessee. I had read about this little historic town and had to make the detour. If you plan on hiking in Colditz Cove, then this is a lovely little side adventure I would highly recommend taking. Once we got to the trailhead, there were storm clouds in the vicinity, but we didn’t want to let rain stop us from a good hike, so we packed our things and hit the trail. There was virtually no one else around, which made for a very peaceful jaunt through the forest. The trail, at first, seemed very standard, but it served as a build-up to the end destination.

We got our first glimpse of the falls from high up, but I have always said, “Nothing beats standing at the base of a waterfall,” so we continued on. As the trail started to wind down, we found ourselves at the bottom of the cliffs we had been standing on. The fascinating rock formations and ledges were certainly a treat as we hiked. We saw many caves, hollowed-out sections, and fascinating rock formations on our way down to the cove.

In the middle of the bowl-shaped cove was the jaw-dropping Northrup Falls. The light shone in from a clearing in the trees above, so the sun highlighted the waterfall and it seemed to glow. The contrast from the darker rock overhang we had just hiked through to the waterfall before us was striking. The pool below shimmered in the light and the splashing water on the dark rocks created a lovely cascade. 

As we explored the area, I noticed a path behind the waterfall. There is always something magical about walking behind falls, so I had to do it. I climbed over and soaked in this rare opportunity; it made me pause and think, where can I walk behind a waterfall in Tennessee? I remembered a few like Grotto Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Ozone Falls, but still the list is rather small given how many waterfalls there are in the Volunteer State, so it made this waterfall, in particular, feel special. 

As I was enjoying the cool mist of the falls and maneuvering around the slippery mud, I noticed something else. The trail continued beyond the waterfall. The trail was actually a loop, which was exciting because that meant that everything else we would see would be new. This section of the hike was adventurous, requiring us to climb over large rocks and dodge low-hanging tree branches. Eventually, we met up with the top of the waterfall, from which we left the woods and returned to the trailhead.

When it comes to a waterfall hike in Colditz Cove, Northrup Falls is a must-see. This enchanting waterfall not only offers a feast for the eyes in terms of beauty but is also accompanied by an adventurous hike. The whole trail is short and sweet, but it helped me have AllTrails Plus along. I hope this inspires you to go out and do this hike, as well, but if you need more convincing, then check out the Adventuring in the Moment video showcasing our hike to Northrup Falls.