This spectacular waterfall hike in downtown Blowing Rock follows New Year’s Creek past homes and into a wild chasm. The top of The Cascades is 0.8 miles (a 1.6 roundtrip). You can also see this waterfall from below on your way to the main observation deck atop Glen Burney Falls, at 1.2 miles (2.4 miles roundtrip). This is a rugged, awesome waterfall walk that was popular a century ago, before falling into disuse and then being reopened in 1991. (Do not stray beyond observation decks; watch children closely near falls)
Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 321 S 6.8 miles to right onto 321-Business into downtown. At the T-junction traffic light on Main St., turn left. In 0.1 mile, turn right on Laurel Ln. In 0.2 mile, go straight at the Wallingford Ln. stop sign, then immediately left into the parking lot.
