Continue down the Glen Burney trail and around another switchback. A side path to the right leads about 100 feet to an observation deck with rails at the top of Glen Burney Falls. But a few tiny tributaries have joined in to New Year Creek by this point, so there is more water flow and the water is clearer too.Ĭontinue downhill a short ways. Continue down the trail - the view of the little waterfall is partially obscured by trees. The name is announced by a sign at the top. You'll pass a few small cascades, and then reach one with a name on your right, called - wait for it - The Cascades. Some large, dead hemlocks still stand in the woods, and there are no more houses the rest of the way. The trail continues downhill, with some steep drop-offs on the right in a few spots. Shortly, you'll cross the creek again on a footbridge. The trail gets back down to creek level here and starts following it downstream. Luckily, sewage is no longer treated and dumped into the creek here, above the falls. All that's left is a concrete shell with some pipes sticking out. At the final switchback, you reach the old sewage treatment station dating back to 1929. The trail comes out in a small clearing and then begins descending steeply through switchbacks. Unfortunately, since it flows out of town and Mayview Lake just upstream, the water is a bit silty. The creek drops away, and some big houses cling to the hillsides on either side. Continue straight on the old gravel road, which is level now, and goes through a forested residential area. The useless little piece of trail joins back in on the other side of the culvert. Instead, continue straight on the gravel road and cross the creek at a easy culvert. Then it joins back to the gravel road you started on in about 50 yards. The piece of trail behind the sign makes a rough descent, crosses the creek on a broken bridge, turns left, and becomes a rough, muddy path overgrown with stinging nettle. You'll reach a fancy sign announcing the trail's name on your right. A small tributary trickles under a culvert by the parking lot. It's not really small-kid friendly and it's surprisingly steep on the way back up, but it's great exercise! This is a pleasant hike once you get past the first 1/4 mile or so, and you'll pass Glen Burney Falls and The Cascades on the way, so you get 3 in 1 hike.įrom the small parking lot for Annie Cannon Park, the Glen Burney Trail begins as an old gravel road leading downhill. The hike to the falls is about 3.1 miles round trip, and includes Glen Burney Falls on the way. A parking garage is just ahead on the left with plenty of spaces. If that small lot is full, go back to the 4-way and turn left on Wallingford. and turn left into the parking area just beyond (you'll see Mayview Lake just up ahead on the right). Go straight through the 4 way stop sign at Wallingford St. 221 and 321 Business, go south on Main Street/321 Business for 2 blocks and turn right on Laurel Ln. You can park in a small lot right at the trailhead, at a nearby parking garage, or really just anywhere downtown and walk a few blocks to the trailhead.įrom the intersection of US Hwy. Parking is in downtown Blowing Rock, NC off of US Hwy.
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