Hanging Rock and Window Falls Trails is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Danbury, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Park northwest of Winston-Salem has some of the state's prettiest waterfalls east of the Appalachian Mountains. Three easy strolls to picturesque waterfalls offer the perfect introduction to Hanging Rock State Park, the top hiking destination within an hour of the Triad cities of Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem. None of these falls are more than a mile from your car, so they're open to just about any ability level. They do require delicate footwork at times, offering a prelude to Hanging Rock's more challenging trails, which can be steep, rocky and downright difficult. Main quirk of this tour: you need to park twice, once at the park headquarters and again at Lower Cascade entrance on Hall Road just outside the park entrance.
North Carolina State Parks page for Hanging Rock State Park http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/haro/main.php
Use extreme caution around waterfalls - falls from nearby cliffs are typically not survivable. Most of these waterfalls have steep stone stairways that lead down to the base of the falls. These too require caution. Keep kids under close supervision - there are many temptations to scramble into dangerous areas. The park can be quite crowded on weekends in the summer and autumn; weekdays will provide much more solitude. Bring water, rain protection,bug repellent, sturdy footwear with good tractio, and hiking staff or poles if you have them. The best time to go is late October at the height of Leaf Season. The colors are fabulous. Winter and spring are fine times too. The summer heat can be fierce, though all these hikes are shaded so you won't be fighting the sun as well.
April 16, 2021The trail to Window Falls is marked strenuous but IMO it is only moderate. I was able to do this hike fine. After we did this one, we walked over to Hidden Falls which is just a short distance from Window Falls. Did not find this one strenuous either. Both were beautiful. Highly recommend!!!
April 4, 2021Fun hike with beautiful views. Heavy trafficked area.
March 23, 2021March 19, 2021It was Raining and lightning/ thunder began. Hiked almost all the way up. but didnt want to chance the slippery rock/mud by venturing above the steps.
March 15, 2021It was great!!
March 14, 2021March 14, 2021March 12, 2021February 6, 2021crowded, especially at water falls
January 26, 2021Nice and foggy, felt like we were the only ones on the edge of the world!
January 24, 2021January 23, 2021lots of people. pretty neat at the top.
January 10, 2021January 3, 2021The trail is mostly uphill on your way to the top, some stairs & a beautiful view. Too many people for my enjoyment.
January 2, 2021December 30, 2020December 29, 2020December 28, 2020Awesome. We will be going back.
December 21, 2020busy even being a Monday. few people kept to social distancing at the top. I'd bring a mask if you want to hang out. views are amazing. basically the trail is split into 2 parts. starts on the right for window falls and then you return to the parking lot to finish the hanging rock view
December 19, 2020December 6, 2020This is a very well maintained trail that is easy to follow. It does have nice views at the top of Hanging Rock and the water falls are cool, but there were so many people. So. Many. People. Definitely try to do this trail in the middle of the week, really early in the morning, in subzero temperatures while it’s raining to try and reduce the number of people that you will encounter.
December 6, 2020December 6, 2020December 1, 2020All part of a series of combined trails on a sunny Fall day. Love the Falls! Not crowded at all on a week day & actually outside the park. Hanging Rock itself is an entirely other scene. Even during the week, too many people although today it wasn't bad since I was there early.
November 27, 2020November 17, 2020Loved this trail. We headed into window falls first and explored. It I’m so nice around that area. We came back to the parking lot and had lunch and then hiked up Hanging Rock. Lots of stairs but awesome views at the top. Gets busy so go early.
November 16, 2020Great first mountain trail
November 14, 2020November 6, 2020October 31, 2020It’s a nice hike! It starts to get a bit challenging halfway through, but the views at the top are well worth it. It does get crowded, but when we went (a Saturday morning at 7am when the park opens), there were only a few people there.
