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Hiking is a fun, outdoor activity that I’m beginning to enjoy doing. Living in the southwestern part of Virginia has given me the opportunity to try out small, easier day hikes that don’t require me to travel far to access them. However, some areas that I’ve hiked, people from all over the world come to! The Devil’s Bathtub, for instance, is a unique, beautiful place to hike to and is gaining popularity, thanks to the internet. It’s a great day hike!
Now I want to share another stunning place to hike to in Virginia, The Cascade Falls Trail! If you’re like me, you like to know what to expect when planning a hike, even a small, day hike. So, I want to answer some of the questions you may have about hiking the Cascade Falls Trail and the actual cascades that are there.
Here’s what you need to know about hiking the Cascade Falls Trail to make it a truly awesome experience.
First, let me answer a few quick questions for you.
How difficult is the Cascade Falls Trail?
I would say that it is an easy to moderate trail. Most of my research prior to hiking it also said the same. I do recommend bringing a small pack though. This is what I always bring with me on any adventure.
Are the trails kid-friendly?
If the child doesn’t mind walking 4 miles or you don’t mind carrying them, then it’s definitely a fun hike for children. I saw people of all ages hiking along the trails. Some carried small children in packs on their backs and other children walked. It all depends on the child.
Is the Cascade Falls Trail wheelchair accessible?
No. Sadly, I would not recommend taking a wheelchair on the trails. I would also not recommend taking a stroller either. Both trails are rocky and sometimes quite narrow, making it difficult for both strollers and wheelchairs to navigate.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, as long as they are on a leash! I saw several dogs along the trail. Just make sure that your dog can walk 4 miles or you are able to carry them if they get tired.
There are lots places that dogs can access water for a drink and/or to play in. If you want to bring your own water for your dog though, I recommend these water bottles! I have a similar one it works so well!
Now that you know a little more initial information and have decided you want to hike the Cascade Falls Trail, let me answer other questions you may have, in detail!
Where is the Cascade Falls Trail?
The Cascade Falls Trail in Pembroke, Virginia, is a truly stunning waterfall nestled in the mountains of Virginia. The trail is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The trailhead is located about 30 minutes northeast of Blacksburg, Virginia. For those of you not familiar with the area, that is where Virginia Tech is!
Cascade Falls is located in Jefferson National Forest and is quite easy to find because of the signs along the roads. An accurate address to plug into your GPS also makes accessing the trail very easy. You literally run into the parking area at the beginning of the trail because the road ends at the parking lot.
This brings us to the next bit of important information you need to know.
How is the Parking at the Cascade Falls Trailhead?
For being a fairly primitive area to hike in, the parking lot is very nice and well-maintained. It is paved with a fair amount of regular parking spaces. There is a $3 parking fee for each vehicle that will be parked in the area. Paying for parking is simple. There is a large sign at the entrance with information. A box filled with envelopes is located there as well. Take an envelope, follow the instructions on it, place your money inside the envelope, and then drop it in the large container beside the sign at the entrance.
While parking at the trailhead is easy to navigate, space is limited, especially on the weekends. I recommend arriving to the trailhead early! We arrived at 9am on a Sunday and had no problems parking in the lot. However, when we returned at around 12:30pm, the lot was full. People were parking up and down the road leading into the parking lot, which, I believe, isn’t allowed.
Are There Any Facilities?
While the trail itself has no facilities (including no trashcans, restrooms, etc.), there are bathrooms at the trailhead. I was happy that they had them available. However, due to COVID-19, the bathrooms were currently closed when I was there so I cannot say how the condition of the restrooms were inside.
Other than the initial restrooms at the trailhead, no others are located along the trail. There are trashcans at the trailhead but none along the trail so please, if you pack it in, pack it out. Basically, take all your belongings with you and don’t throw your trash anywhere other than in a trash bin.
Okay, so you’ve found the trailhead, parked, and are ready to hike.
Which Trail Do I Take to See the Cascades?
The whole Cascade Falls Trail is a 4-mile loop so hikers have the option to start at the Lower Trail (more scenic) or the Upper Trail. If you’re looking for a bit of a physical challenge, I recommend taking the Upper Trail to the falls. Then take the Lower Trail back. The Upper trail is an approximate 2-mile, continuous uphill hike that can test your endurance. It will still lead you right to Cascade Falls. Then, if you want a slightly easier hike back, take the Lower Trail that offers more scenic views.
If you’re looking for the easiest and most scenic route to get to the falls, I recommend taking the Lower Trail up to Cascade Falls. Then, take the Upper Trail back. While the Lower Trail does consistently send you higher in elevation like the Upper Trail, it does so in a way that doesn’t feel like a constant uphill hike.
Instead, there are more flat areas of trail and steps that make it a little easier to make your way up. There are also tons of scenic areas to stop along the way! Once you arrive at the falls and then are ready to leave, take the Upper Trail back. After the short uphill climb, it’s all downhill, making it a much easier hike back to your vehicle.
Those are my recommendations for which trails to take but of course, hike the loop however you want. You can even switch a few times throughout, thanks to the bridges that cross the creek and link the two trails.
So now that you know your options for getting to Cascade Falls, let’s talk about the actual waterfall!
What is There to do at The Waterfall?
Once the waterfall comes into view (the Lower Trail offers the most stunning first view of it, in my opinion), you’ll first notice its size and beauty. So taking photos of the cascades is a must! There are several places around the area to get amazing photos of the waterfall.
If you want to sit for a while, there are plenty places to slip off your pack and rest for a bit, eat a snack, and drink some water. With the view and sound of the waterfall right in front of you, it’s the perfect time to take a long rest.
After a rest, you may decide to take a dip in the water. Lots of people do but the water will be cold! The waterhole is large so lots of people can swim in it. If swimming isn’t your thing, you can still walk out on the rocks and over to the actual waterfall. I didn’t because the rocks are very slick and I didn’t want to get my shoes wet. It’s a great photo opportunity though! Just be careful on the rocks.
If you want to keep hiking, there are additional trails to hike, once you reach the first large waterfall. I believe one takes you to other waterfalls and another takes you to a spot that overlooks the New River Valley area. However, I didn’t take any of those trails so I have no firsthand knowledge of them.
After you’re finished at the Cascades, you can pick which trail you want to take back, as both will lead you back to your vehicle a little tired but with a smile on your face and your mind full of amazing memories that you won’t soon forget.
Have you hiked to the Cascades before?
If so, I want to hear about it in the comment section below! And if you haven’t hiked it before and have other questions, just comment below to ask them and I will try my best to answer them for you.
Looking for another day hike in Virginia? Check out my blog post about hiking to The Devil’s Bathtub in Scott County, Virginia!
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I work remotely and have to take phone calls – is there decent cell reception?
To be honest, I cannot remember how good the cell reception is during the hike. It is a remote place though so I would recommend hiking at a time when you won’t have to take phone calls, if possible.