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Chimney Hollow Falls

Chimney Hollow Falls at Tioga State Forest near Wellsboro, Pennsylvania is a two-tiered 60 to 70-foot tall waterfall that spills down Owassee Slide Run creek. The hike to reach Chimney Hollow Falls is mostly moderate as this 0.3-mile out-and-back trail leads through a bushwhack to reach the falls.

This hike does not follow any trails and thus hikers must use caution when trying to reach Chimney Hollow Falls. The easiest way to reach the waterfall is to stay along the left-hand side of Owassee Slide Run.

Hikers will find that deer and other occasional explorers have pushed their way through brush to reach the waterfall; however, following the route of least resistance is not always recommended since this path runs directly along very steep hillsides that can cause serious harm if you slip and fall.

Just before reaching the base of the waterfall, hikers will head uphill before the ground levels out a bit more. As the ground levels out, the waterfall will come into clear view and then the sketchy 'trail' will head downhill and along the creek which features a stunning view of Chimney Hollow Falls.

The Route to Reach Chimney Hollow Falls
Hikers should know that this route does not follow a trail and you will have to push your way through brush and hike over blowdowns to get to the waterfall. Stay to the left-hand side (south side) of Owassee Slide Run creek and you'll find the waterfall.

Upper Chimney Hollow Falls
Hikers will mostly just get a view of Upper Chimney Hollow Falls, which is the first tier of the waterfall and sends water free-falling for about 40-feet. The reason hikers usually cannot reach this section of the waterfall is because of the extremely steep slopes of the hills surrounding Lower Chimney Hollow Falls. However, hikers can get a photo of the entire waterfall from the base of Lower Chimney Hollow Falls.

Lower Chimney Hollow Falls
The hike essentially ends at Lower Chimney Hollow Falls, which is a 25 to 30-foot multi-tier cascade of Chimney Hollow Falls. This scenic section of the waterfall is the closest hikers can get without putting themselves in further danger of getting hurt among the rocks and water.

Parking
Hikers can find a small parking lot, large enough to fit about three vehicles, at the coordinates provided.

Road Maintenance
Please note that this road is not maintained during the winter and neither is the road that leads to Owassee Road. Additionally during times of high flooding, the road may be completely flooded by Pine Creek. Last, the potholes that line the road can also be massive, so smaller low-to-the-ground cars may have a difficult time driving this road.

Danger
Steep terrain: This trail can be dangerous especially along the creek as there are several steep drop-offs that hikers can accidentally fall down on the way up to Chimney Hollow Falls. Hike at your own risk.

Rattlesnakes: While rare, the Timber Rattlesnake lives in this area and tends to come down to creeks to cool down or hunt between the end of April through the end of September. Watch your step and give any rattlesnake you see some space.

Trillium Wildflowers
During the early Spring - around mid-April, hikers can find trillium growing in this area of Tioga State Forest. Additionally, tons of trillium grow along the hike, so watch your step.
Explore 276 trails near Wellsboro, PA

Know Before You Go

  • Chimney Hollow Falls in Tioga State Forest is a 60-70 foot two-tiered waterfall reached via a challenging 0.3-mile bushwhack along Owassee Slide Run creek.
  • The hike is considered moderate but requires caution due to the absence of a marked trail, steep drop-offs, potential for rattlesnake encounters, and difficult road conditions to the parking area.
  • While access to Upper Chimney Hollow Falls is limited, Lower Chimney Hollow Falls provides a scenic view and is the recommended endpoint of the hike due to safety concerns.
Interactive topographic map for Chimney Hollow Falls located in Wellsboro, PA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
0.3 mi
Difficulty
Moderate
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
9 min
Elev. Gain
180'
Rating
5.0
Added
April 28, 2020
Updated
May 13, 2021

Weather Forecast

Tonight
Low 20°F
Mostly Cloudy
Sunday
High 24°F
Partly Sunny
Sunday Night
Low 14°F
Mostly Cloudy
M.L. King Jr. Day
High 23°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Monday Night
Low 4°F
Mostly Cloudy
Tuesday
High 12°F
Partly Sunny
Tuesday Night
Low 5°F
Mostly Clear
Wednesday
High 28°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Wednesday Night
Low 20°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Thursday
High 25°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Thursday Night
Low 9°F
Partly Cloudy
Friday
High 24°F
Partly Sunny
Friday Night
Low 14°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Saturday
High 22°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
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Total Change
177'
Ascent
180'
Descent
180'
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Features

Waterfalls
Water Source
PA Wilds logo PA Wilds

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    41.721471, -77.441562
  2. Main Trailhead

    41.721302, -77.441731

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Hazards

Snakes (Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, others)
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

0.6 miles / 1.0 km
April 11, 2025
Perfect waterfall conditions! Drove down Forest rd to base of run (much easier than previous time where I waded shoulder-depth across Pine Creek from the rail trail side!). Fairly easy off-trail scramble up Owassee Slide Run to the towering Chimney Hollow falls - one of most impressive falls in all of PA! Also walked down to Pine Creek to enjoy the fast flowing beauty. On way back up Owassee Rd stopped for short/easy off-trail to Strap Mill Hollow falls for first time which is nice mid-size with a huge Hemlock towering beside it.
Hiking
0.3 miles / 0.5 km
April 06, 2025
I visited after some good rain in the area and it had the best flow that I have seen. It is a short but difficult hike. I did this hike before heading to Bear Run.
Hiking
0.3 miles / 0.5 km
September 30, 2020
Took a short hike up to the waterfall in late September, 2020 but the water was totally dried up even after a full day of heavy rainfall the day prior. This waterfall is only running during the Spring through mid-June before the water dries up.
Hiking

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