Cascade Falls Trailhead in Pembroke VA

Some trails save their best view for the very end. Cascade Falls in Pembroke, Virginia does just that, but the walk to it is every bit as memorable as the waterfall.

I visited Cascade Falls trailhead and took the lower trail to the falls, then returned by the upper trail. That route gave the day a brilliant mix: rocky creekside walking on the way in, a dramatic waterfall and swimming hole at the end, then a nice downhill path all the way back.

This is not a polished, flat stroll. The lower trail is uneven, narrow in places, woodland and rocks with rough stone steps and tree root hazards. It follows Little Stony Creek closely, which makes it feel wild, shaded, and full of little places to pause. If you enjoy trails where the sound of water is with you almost the whole way, this one is hard to beat.

Starting at Cascade Falls Parking lot

The parking area is plentiful and costs just $3 for the whole day, with restrooms and areas to sit and picnic. The trailhead to Cascade Falls is easy to navigate with natural signage along the pathways. From the start you are surrounded by nature, the peace of the trees takes you away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

For my visit, I decided to walk the lower trail. To access this, you cross over at Bridge 1. This is where the walk starts to feel more rugged. The path quickly becomes rockier in places, with narrow sections and uneven natural rock steps so a sure footing is essential.

This is all part of the fun if you are steady on your feet and like active walking you will enjoy this trail, it may challange you a bit with its occasional inclines, but the slower pace means you also notice so much more: the shapes of the rocks, the sound of the water, the pools forming along the creek and when I visited there was an abundance of fungi and other natural wonders - if you took the time to see them.

The main thing to know before setting off is that the lower trail is not a casual pavement-style walk. It is a proper woodland trail with natural surfaces. Good footwear makes a big difference. Trainers with poor grip would not be my first choice here or shoes with soft soles as some of those rock edges are sharp!

A few useful things to bring:

• Sturdy walking shoes - The rocks and rough steps call for decent grip.

• Water - Hydration is important! Even shaded trails can dehydrate you and you can soon feel tired when you climbing and stepping over uneven ground.

• Towels - The waterfall pool at the end is a popular place to swim or splash about.

• Snacks or a picnic - There are plenty of spots near the falls where it feels natural to sit and stay a while, reward yourself for the hike and make memories of your trip.

• A small bag for rubbish - As with all places of nature, leave only footprints! It is the kind of place that deserves to be kept clean for others to enjoy.

The lower trail is rocky, fun, and full of creek views

The lower trail route has plenty of character. There are rocky sections, narrow pathways, and rough steps to climb. Some parts are narrow enough that you naturally pause to let others pass. In places, you need to look down and place your feet carefully.

That said, it never felt boring. The uneven terrain made the walk more interesting, and the creek gave the whole route a steady soundtrack. There were lots of places to stop, rest, and admire the scenery, which is useful because this is the kind of trail that rewards a slower pace.

There is also the remains of an Old Boiler dating back to when power was necessary to run the portable sawmill when this entire area was logged in the early 1920-30's. This makes an interesting relic to come across during this scenic woodland hike.

When you reach and cross Bridge 2, take a right and follow the signs towards Cascades Waterfall. This part of the route keeps the same adventurous feel. The path continues with uneven surfaces and rocky sections, so it is worth saving some energy for the final approach.

During my hike I spotted several interesting things from a snake in the water, to a quick moving giant millipede. The white catapillar held my interest for some time though I was careful to keep away from touching its fluffy hairs as I know they can cause a painful itchy skin rash, as for the deer I'm not sure who was more suprised by its sudden appearance on the footpath!

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  A snake with its head sticking out of the water

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  A giant millipede moving over the woodland floor

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  A caterpiller with lots of fluffy white hairs

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  A deer along the cascade falls woodland path

If you have mobility / health issues, the lower trail is probably not the right choice. The steps, rocks, and narrow sections make it challenging, and there are places where sure footing matters and some may find it more tiring.

That warning is not meant to put people off. It is simply the reality of the trail. For hikers who are comfortable with rough uneven ground, it is a really enjoyable route. For anyone who needs a more level, predictable surface, it could be frustrating or unsafe.

Little Stony Creek makes the walk feel special

The creek is close for much of the lower route, and there are plenty of places where it pulls your attention away from the path. Small cascades tumble over rocks. Pools collect in calm pockets which you can splash around in. Fallen branches, moss, and stone ledges add to the remote tucked-away feeling.

Because of that, the lower trail feels like a series of small moments rather than one long walk to a single destination. A turn in the path reveals a fresh angle on the water. A flat rock invites a quick sit-down. A bridge gives you a different view into the gorge.

It is also a good reminder not to rush. Some of the nicest parts of the trail are not marked viewpoints. They are just natural pauses where the creek looks too pretty to walk past without stopping.

If you are visiting with others, especially if some people in the group walk at different speeds, these spots make easy places to regroup. The trail has enough interest along the way that waiting for a few minutes does not feel like waiting at all.

Keep in mind that rocks near water can be slippery. Even if the weather is dry, shaded stones can hold moisture. Step carefully, especially near the creek and on any wet stone surfaces, note not all rocks are safe and sturdy to step on!

Reaching the waterfall is worth every rocky step

The arrival at Cascade Falls is really quite a moment. After the creekside walking, rough steps, and narrow sections, the first glimpse of the main waterfall, has you automatically stopping to take a photo - it is truly beautiful and perfect as the big finish.

The waterfall is impressive and much bigger than I was expecting, measuring 66ft, making it quite a sight to see. With a generous pool at the bottom and plenty of rock areas where people can sit and relax. It is the kind of place where you understand why so many walkers turn the hike into a longer outing. People come to swim, paddle, splash about, eat lunch, and simply enjoy the atmosphere here.

This is where bringing a towel makes sense. Even if you only dip your feet, the pool adds a lot to the experience, and a nice reward especially on a warm day. It is easy to spend a good while here before heading back.

There are also plenty of areas to sit on the rocks, so a picnic works well if you have packed one. Just keep it simple. A light lunch, water, and something easy to carry are enough. The setting does most of the work.

The area around the falls can get busy, especially when the weather is good. Even so, there is enough space to find a spot and take it all in. The sound of the waterfall makes the place feel energetic, but sitting there is surprisingly relaxing.

A few simple courtesies help everyone enjoy it:

• Keep bags and towels tucked to one side so people can move safely.

• Watch children closely near rocks and water.

• Do not climb onto wet or unsafe ledges - the temptation is there, but don't!

• Carry out anything you bring in.

• Give swimmers and photographers room to enjoy the pool and falls.

• Keep noise down, avoid shouting and screaming - let others enjoy the tranquility

  
  

The small stairs lead to a higher waterfall view

One of the best surprises I came across after reaching the waterfall and not easily noticeable as the plant foliage needs trimming back, is the very small set of stairs leading up away from the main viewing area. They are easy to miss if you are focused on the waterfall pool, but they are worth looking for.

The climb is narrow and steep, not helped by the foliage needing some trimming back, so it is not for everyone. If you are tired from the lower trail, take a minute before deciding. But if you are steady on your feet, don't mind heights, like a bit of an adventure and want another workout then this is definitely worth the effort. The higher elevation gives you a completely different look at the waterfall.

At the top of the stairs you get the choice of either taking a right or left path - If you take a right at the top of the stairs this will take you to another viewpoint - unfortunately the trees rather obscure the view of the waterfall so this extra walk can potentially be missed. If you take a left and follow this path round, it will bring you to the upper trail, thus creating a circular hiking route, it also saves having to navigate going down those steep steps.

Returning on the upper trail is easier and more level

For the return, I followed the upper trail. Compared with the lower trail, it felt much more level and was much easier underfoot, it was also all downhill! After the rocky walk in, that was a welcome change. This is also a great option when your legs are getting tired, especially after spending time at the waterfall and climbing up for the higher view.

The upper trail is not as pretty as the lower trail in my opinion. It does not have the same close relationship with Little Stony Creek, and it lacks some of the rocky character that makes the lower path so much fun. But as a return walk, it works really well and with it being downhill you can get a decent steady pace. Throughout this walk I came across an abundance of interesting fungi, some I had never come across before.

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  A cream coloured coral shaped fungi

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  an interesting looking brown fungi

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  An unusual black speckled topped fungi

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  Bright yellow fungi stalks that are quit long and thin

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  A claret red fungi with dead leaf debri around it

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  A group of bright orange fungi which contrasts against the brown leaf mulch

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  A brown capped fungi on a white stalk with moss around its base

If you choose the upper trail to get to the falls instead of the lower trail, be ready for an uphill challenge and it is a long steady climb! It may be smoother and easier to walk than the lower trail, but that does not mean it is effortless. You also lose alot of the prettiest scenery and the creekside sections too, which is why I think the best experience is to take the lower trail in and upper trail out.

Who will enjoy this trail most

Cascade Falls is a brilliant choice for walkers who like a relatively short out and back trail, but still has variety. It has water, rocks, forest, bridges, a big waterfall, and the option to swim or picnic at the end. It feels so much more than a quick out-and-back hike because there are so many natural stopping points along the way.

This trail is best for people who:

• Enjoy rocky woodland paths

• Are happy with uneven steps and narrow sections

• Like walking beside water

• Want a waterfall as the main reward

• Do not mind sharing a popular beauty spot with other visitors

• Are prepared to take their time

  
  

It is less suitable for anyone who needs a smooth path, has balance or mobility issues, finds rough steps / stairs difficult. The lower trail in particular

Simple tips for making the most of the visit

A few choices can make the day more enjoyable.

Arrive with enough time to linger. This is not a trail I would rush. The creekside sections deserve pauses, and the waterfall area is made for sitting down, cooling off, and enjoying the view.

Pack for the waterfall, not just the walk. Towels are a good idea if you might swim or paddle. A picnic can turn the hike into a proper day out. Even a simple snack tastes better when you are sitting on warm rocks listening to the waterfall in front of you.

Wear shoes that can cope and grip on rocky uneven terrain, that are comfy and supportive to your ankles and protect toes!

Save some energy for the stairs near the waterfall. The elevated view is worth it if you feel comfortable climbing up, but it is better enjoyed when you are not already worn out.

Then take the upper trail back to the carpark. It may not be quite as scenic, but after the waterfall it is a more relaxed easier way to return.

The takeaway from my visit

Cascade Falls trailhead in Pembroke VA is one of those places where the walk and the destination both deliver. The lower trail is rugged, rocky, and sometimes narrow, but it is also full of sound, movement, and creekside beauty. Little Stony Creek keeps the route interesting all the way to the falls and the waterfall itself is a fantastic reward for this hike a most enjoyable place to explore.

Thanks for reading

Em x

Please feel free to leave a comment or suggest alternative places you recommend I visit.

About the author

Em is a keen long distant walker who competitively covered much of her home country in England, UK. Although ill health made her take a step back on her distance and pace her desire to be out in mother nature, preferably surrounded by trees, water or mountains or all three was one of the reasons she moved with her husband Fred to wild and wonderful West Virginia, USA. She is currently exploring the many beautiful areas this country has to offer.