Cascade Falls Trailhead in
Pembroke (VA)

Went with my bf in early March and we did the full loop!! Such a beautiful hike and amazing memories!

It's a great place to go. More than we expected. One of the bests around the town and it's not a suprr difficult hike.

Great 4 mile hike (2 miles up, 2 miles back) to the Beautiful 66' high Cascade Waterfall. The hike is Moderate difficulty, rocky, with loose soil, some slippery areas and steep dropoffs to the side so wear good hiking shoes or boots. This is not a hike for flip flop. Along the way up you will find a lot of very beautiful spots to stop and take in the views of the mountain stream and get in some nice backdrops for selfies and group pics alike. The mountain is loaded with huge boulders all around that add to the challenge just as much as the scenery. This is a very well done trail that provides a decent amount of small challenges. Go prepared, have food and water. We moved slow and took about 3.5 hours to complete the 4 mile journey with all our stops in between. Highly recommend this hike because it is such an amazing area. We took the lower trail up to the falls and the upper trail back down to the parkinglot. This way you get through the challenging parts first and stay close to the water with more of those great spots i was telling you about. then you will have a nice downhill hike back to the car which is rocky in spots but much flatter ground and easier going down than up. Won't post any pics of the falls, you gotta go see that for yourself. Hope you have as much fun as we did!!

Cascade Falls in Pembroke is an excellent destination with stunning nature and a perfect finish at the beautiful waterfall. The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked. The route offers a lower path that ranges from moderate to strenuous, and an upper path that is easy. If you are a confident hiker, the lower path to the falls and the upper path on the way back is recommended. If mobility is limited, the upper path is the better choice. We completed the 4-mile loop in three hours, including a break at the waterfall. Our children, aged 5 and 8, managed the lower path without issues. Highly recommended.

The Cascade Falls Trail, located in the Jefferson National Forest near Pembroke, is an absolute must-do for any nature lover in Virginia. It's a fantastic 4-mile loop (round-trip) that perfectly balances accessibility with breathtaking natural beauty. The Trail Options: You can choose your adventure with two main paths forming the loop: The Lower Trail: This is the more popular and highly scenic route. It closely follows the Little Stony Creek, offering constant views of smaller cascades, rapids, and beautiful moss-covered boulders. It features stone steps, wooden walkways, and bridges that make you feel truly immersed in the gorge. The Upper Trail: Generally wider and less rocky, this trail offers a more continuous, gentle climb through the forest above the creek, providing occasional aerial views. Many hikers recommend taking the Lower Trail up to the falls for the best views and the Upper Trail back for an easier descent.

The trail is long but it's gorgeous and the falls at the end are worth the journey! There are benches scattered along the trail so there are plenty of spots to take a rest on the way to the falls.

I am rarely speechless, but coming around the corner the giant boulder to an opening with the waterfall in the background was awe inspiring. The trails were incredible and offered different skill & ability levels. My only complaint is the graffiti and discarded trash. I'm not blaming the park system, especially considering the government shutdown. The blame holy goes to the person who tossed the coke bottle, fizzy water can, potato chip bag, etc. on the ground. Otherwise this place is Paradise!

Beautiful trail! The path was almost covered with leaves so you need to be careful about slipping.

Amazing hike with my 5 and 10 year old daughters. It’s 2 miles each way, so pushing it for their age, but the falls were well worth it! Plenty of room for everybody even on a crowded day!

There is two trails. Upper and lower trail. Both are 1 mile. Take the lower trail while going to the falls and enjoy the scenic beauty. Upper trail does not offer this scenic beauty but it's a good hike. The beauty of the fall is so mesmerizing. Be cautious if you want to swim. Swimming is not advisable.

You need your credit or debit card to pay the required $3.00 parking fee at the self serve kiosk. No cash allowed. There was no sign of a ranger. Bring your own hand soap or sanitizer. The bathrooms had none. The lower fall trail is beautiful and rugged.There are plenty of rocks and benches on the way up. If you want to hike in peace then avoid this place on a summer holiday weekend. It was overrun with college groups. They congregate at the Falls so you will have to edit them from your photos. I arrived about 10 am and got the last real parking spot. It was super crowded when I left after 1pm. People were parking anywhere they could fit their cars, even a 1/4 mile down the road. Make sure your kids and dogs can handle this long hike. My gps said it was 4.75 miles using the lower fall trail and returning on the upper trail. Please wear supportive shoes. There are tons of rocks including loose stepping boulders.

Cascade Falls National Recreation Trail is a spectacular destination for all. Even with relatively low water levels there are a lot of swimming holes for young and old alike. The 2 mile hike on the lower trail to the falls is a feat of trail construction creating a perfect foot path. You can also go an additional .7 mile to the Upper Cascade Falls. You could also trek to the rim of the gorge for an overlook (which I did not do).

Great little hiking trail. 2 miles on either uphill or an easier trial downhill next to the river. Scenic walk with plenty of wildlife.

Beautiful beautiful place!!! If you like hiking and the outdoors, this place is for you! Very scenic on the walk up to the falls. I suggest wearing good hiking shoes with good grip, water, snacks, toilet paper, and a flashlight if you plan on staying after dark.

This was a great hike! The lower trail is more difficult, but much more scenic and enjoyable! The waterfall is beautiful and a nice area to hang out for a bit before heading back to the parking lot!

Cascade Falls Trailhead offers an easy, scenic hike with forest views, stream crossings, and a beautiful waterfall at the end. Perfect for families and beginners. Arrive early for parking and fewer crowds. A peaceful nature escape near the city.

Great Day Hike with Scenic Views — Cascade Falls If you’re looking for a solid out-and-back day hike with rewarding views, Cascade Falls is a great choice. There are two trail options to reach the falls — we took the lower trail, which the sign indicates is the easier route. That said, it’s still a moderately challenging hike that requires you to watch your footing along the way. The trail is about 2 miles one way and offers beautiful scenery, flowing creeks, and plenty of rest spots to stop and take it all in. Once you arrive at the falls, there are several areas to relax, have a snack, or cool off in the water — it’s a great reward after the hike in. You can take a different trail back if you want to switch things up, but we returned via the same lower path. Just a heads-up: I wouldn’t recommend this trail for small children (under 13), as there are steep drop-offs and areas where a misstep could lead to a serious fall. With that in mind, it’s a fantastic hike for teens and adults who enjoy a bit of a challenge and some beautiful natural scenery.

This is a hike I’ve wanted to do a few years. Moderate beautiful 4 mile hike. Public bathrooms. $3 basically to park. Try to get there early for parking. If you can wait a bit I am sure a spot will open. Don’t be disrespectful and park near the bathrooms or spots you shouldn’t. Dogs are allowed. There is an upper and lower level to hike. I took the upper level. Beautiful scenery along the way of the forest, boulders, waterway and bridges. Many places to stop along the way and relax. As you get closer to the falls you are basically climbing on rocks and boulders. Great hike for the whole family. I got caught in a 30 minute downpour yesterday and nothing I could do but continue to walk in it. Bring hiking boots. Your shoes will get ruined. Too many folks wearing all white sneakers. Please be respectful and leave no traces. Such as trash, shoes and just being generally disrespectful to Mother Nature

Really great falls! HUGE in person. We walked super slow and stopped often to look around so it took us about two hours to hike in. When you arrive Just pay to park $3 bucks at a little kiosk with your credit card. They have bathrooms at the entrance of the trail, (enter at your own discretion) and then the trail is right there. I like the trail on the right hand side since you’re mostly closer to the river the whole time. It’s a little more steep and rugged than the left handed trail but I’m an inexperienced hiker and it was doable for me and my brother, we took a lot of breaks on the benches or rocks that they have along the trail. And pick a nice sunny day to come because the water is super cold if you decide to get in, you’re gonna want that warm air to dry you off on the walk back. Also lots of cute doggos on the trail too haha. Be safe on the slippery rocks at the falls and have fun ?.

Great destination for a summer afternoon! The trails are well marked. The lower trail offers excellent opportunities for photographers from the beginning of the trail to the waterfall. Steps and grades can be tricky. So, sturdy shoes should be worn.

Get there, EARLY, or you'll be circling for a parking spot. Peaceful. Beautiful. Scenic. If you're looking for an easy hike, dont take the high trail. Would give this place 10 stars!!

Cascade Falls are incredible! My sister and I hiked up the main trail, which is a pretty easy walk. But getting back down to the falls was tough. We took the river side route, which was way harder. I highly recommend taking the river side; it was like stepping into a fairy tale.

We recently visited Cascade Falls in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it was absolutely breathtaking! The hike was a bit long and challenging at times, but every step was worth it. Surrounded by lush forest and the sound of rushing water, the trail offered stunning views along the way. When we finally reached the waterfall, the sight was incredible—crystal-clear water cascading over the rocks into a serene pool below. It was a peaceful, unforgettable experience that made the journey totally rewarding. Highly recommend it for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts!

This is a great hike. The trails were super clean. If you take the lower trail (to the right), there are lots of rocks and rock steps to climb as you head towards the falls. This trail is more strenuous than the upper trail. We enjoyed the falls and hung out there for a while before heading back down the upper trail. If you have small kids or dogs, I would highly recommend the upper trail. Overall, I clocked 4.2 miles from the parking lot, round trip. Wear good shoes and take plenty of water! Beautiful hike, we would definitely do this again.

It has 2 trails, the first one is little longer and plain and second one is through water stream which is more enjoyable and little hard as it goes through few steps, ups and down but it is more scenic. You keep walking along with flowing water. The sound of flowing water is so good and refreshing. We visited this place on 27th December 2025 which was not as cold as we expected but still it was chilly and part of the water fall was frozen and water was really cold. It took us almost an hour to reach to the waterfall along with my son & daughter but view was superb cool and fascinating. You got pay some $3+ towards parking charges. There is rest room at the parking area Overall I LOVED this place

Such a cute spot! Can’t recommend enough. The only complaint I have might be the parking, but I visited on a Saturday so the amount of cars and people were expected. Parking is also $3, no cash (made that mistake for you). Other than that an all around amazing experience. The waterfall was absolutely beautiful, very photogenic. There are no bad pictures here. The water itself was pretty cold and the wind from the waterfall didn’t help, but once being fully submerged in the water the cold shock eventually went away. The hike there was about an hour both ways. Although we took the harder route, in my opinion, which felt longer. The end result made it all worth it though. Definitely go check out the Cascade!

Very beautiful place to visit. The hike is nice and shady. You hear the water throughout the hike. There are a few places to sit and rest if needed. The trail is very well maintained and a pretty easy walk for children and adults. Will definitely be returning.