I recently spent three lovely days camping along the New River in the New River Valley of Southwest Virginia. Spoiler alert: It’s not new at all…it’s actually the second oldest river in the world. To put it in perspective, the New River’s water flowed along its winding path long before the Appalachians ever even rose to existence!

It was here that we ventured out for an unassuming hike at Cascade Falls/Barney’s Wall that turned into a day filled with breathtaking views of the new river valley, refreshing swimming holes, a striking waterfall, and loads of mushroom hunting.

This is technically two hikes, but you have to hike Cascade Falls to get to Barney’s Wall starting point, so it’s essentially one hike with two segments.

Location and Overview

• Route Type: Out and Back
• Total Distance: 4.2 miles for the Falls or 7.6 with Barneys Wall
• Total Time: 2 hours for Cascade Falls, 4 hours with Barneys Wall (not including time stopping at the waterfall & New River Valley viewpoint)
• Trailhead Location: 2068 Cascade Dr, Pembroke, VA 24136 (search for Cascade Falls Trailhead in maps)
• Parking: Parking can be limited. If you go on a weekend or during school breaks in the summer, plan on arriving EARLY to secure a spot. I went at the end of August on a weekday when school was back in session, and the parking lot was almost empty at 10:00 a.m. .… so it really depends on the time of year you go
• Fees: $3  (there will not be anyone there to give you change).

Terrain and Trail Directions

The first segment of the hike offers an upper trail and a lower trail to the falls. The lower path (to the right and across the first bridge) is best on your way up, as it hugs the bank and provides endless creek views. I found myself stopping for photos often on the lower trail; The way the light seeped through the trees and danced along the mossy creek seemed right out of a fairytale! The upper path is more of a service road but makes for a quick return to the parking lot. 

• Lower path terrain: Slightly more diverse, with a few steep rock stairs and a bit more of a slope. The fit or avid hiker will have no issue with this trail, we even saw little kids making their way up it
• Upper path terrain: Flat and wide. Great for beginners, strollers, or those with physical disabilities (it even has some benches along the way to rest at)

To continue to the New River Valley Viewpoint:

1. Head up the wooden stairs to the left opposite the falls observation deck.
2. Walk about 200 yards to an open area with a signpost showing the Conservancy Trail, a 0.4-mile fire road, at the fork in the road, bear left.
3. Take another left in about 50 yards at the Conservancy Trail signpost.

• There will definitely be fewer people on this portion of the hike. You may even get to enjoy the view at the top all by yourself. 
• This portion of the hike is more strenuous than the first half, especially if you’re not an avid hiker. However, the view of the New River Valley at the top is absolutely worth it. You may even get a close-up of a Falcon on the hunt.

Hiking Tips and Preparation

Wear a swimsuit (or clothes you don’t mind getting wet)! – At the waterfall’s base is a large, refreshingly cold swimming hole to splash around in. Bring sandals you can wear in the water to avoid stubbing your toes on the rocks.

Bring plenty of water and snacks – The waterfall’s base offers plenty of dry rock ‘seating’ for lunch with a view (depending on how crowded it is)! 

Bugspray – Bugspray is a MUST on any hike on the East Coast (mosquitoes and gnats really thrive in the humidity). If you’ve got summer hiking pants, I’d recommend wearing those to protect your legs.  For my health and the environment, I never use bug spray with deet or other chemicals. I buy Grandpa Gus’ Mosquito Repellent and I seriously SWEAR by this stuff. All natural, all plant-derived oils. My friend used deet bug spray and got more bug bites than me…thats how good it is!

Sunscreen – While the majority of the path is shaded, if you want to spend time up at the swimming hole, you won’t have the trees to shade you, so bring some SPF.

Going Solo

This hike is a fantastic choice for those looking for a short solo adventure! Everyone I came across on this hike was incredibly friendly and helpful in guiding me toward the lower trail. There’s no sign labeling it, but cross the first bridge to the right. My explorations in the nearby town were limited to the store, a gas station, and a park situated right across from a fire station. In every interaction, I was met with the genuine warmth of Southern hospitality.

Bonus highlight: Barney’s Wall viewpoint has some sizeable rocks that conveniently double as stable props for your phone, making it effortless to capture photos with yourself in the scenery!