Waterfall Hero Hikes: The Cascades (Blowing Rock)

The Cascades are a 15-foot waterfall on New Year's Creek in Watauga County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located on Glen Burney Trail, a town of Blowing Rock park.

Hike Length: 1.2 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Glen Burney Trail
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1+)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 36.13263,-81.68043
Waterfall GPS: 36.12554,-81.68321

Directions:

From the intersection of US-221 and Main Street/US-321 Business in downtown Blowing Rock, go south on Main Street for less than a quarter-mile and turn right on Laurel Lane. In about 0.2 miles, after passing Willingford Road, turn left into the Annie Cannon Gardens and the Glen Burney Trailhead.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up Glen Burney Trail at the end of the parking area and follow into the woods. In the first 0.4 miles, the trail passes the ruins of the town's old sewer plant and crosses New Year's Creek on a footbridge. At 0.6 miles, the trail passes by the top of the Cascades. A steep scramble path leads down to the base.