We took the lower trail into the Cascades. It was absolutely beautiful !! Take your time and watch your footing--the lower trail is a bit tricky but well worth it as you are right beside the water the whole time. Coming back we took the upper trail-which is still beautiful and you see things from a different vantage point. The Cascades are a MUST to see if you are near Blacksburg.
It is a 4 mile hike. We took the lower trail which follows the river and it is a very rocky hike. I wasn't sure if I was gonna make it but the closer we got the more beautiful it was and then there was the most beautiful waterfall. Make sure you have the proper hiking gear because it is very slippery along the rocks. I took numerous pictures along the river leading up to the falls. We took the upper trail back and it was wider, smoother, and went downhill. It was so beautiful in the fall. Since it is in the National Park there is a 3 dollar charge for parking there are envelopes that you have to fill out and place into a container, make sure you take the tag and put it in your window otherwise it is a $75 ticket. We met some people that got a ticket.
We took the lower trail in, and the upper trail out. In my opinion, that is the best route. Either way you go, it's a two mile hike, one way. But, at the end of that hike, you will find a 66 ft. tall, wonderful waterfall. The lower trail is much more rocky, and uneven than the upper trail path. But you are right along side the stream the whole way, and that is awesome. Just make sure you wear appropriate footwear. If you take the upper trail back, you will have a fairly steep climb initially, but then it's mostly down hill the rest of the way back to the parking lot. The path is wide, and not nearly as uneven as the lower trail. There is a three dollar parking fee, but after seeing how well maintained the area was, from the parking lot, to the bathrooms, and the triails back to the falls, I didn't mind paying that at all. We got there fairly early, around 10am. There were considerably more people there as we were returning to our vehicle at 1pm.
Difficult hike if you take the scenic trail. It is a 4 mile hike in total and was difficult but the waterfall is lovely.
Two mile hike to the cascade falls but worth the trip. Two paths up. Take a snack and some water because it is more than a hike around the track.
The hike to Cascade Falls was one of the prettiest hikes we have ever taken. The trail is just beautiful!! It is a must if you are in the area.
Path follows the little river with beautiful views the entire walk. Make sure you allow enough time to stop along the way.
This is one of the best and most scenic hikes that we have been on. Just less than 5 miles. Incredible views then entire way and then the big falls come into view.
I don't know when I have taken a more enjoyable hike in the woods. The two mile trail meanders along a raging stream with stone paths in wetter areas and steps where needed. It finally ends in a pretty spectacular waterfall (at least for these old mountains). The pool is deep and inviting but the water was so cold (in August) that it literally took our breath away. Take the upper trail back to the parking lot as it is a nice straight downhill run.
This is one of the most scenic hikes we've done. Go during the week if possible because we hear it gets very crowded on the weekends. We were there after some big rains, so the falls were really impressive.