As someone who has spent years exploring Hanging Rock State Park, I always enjoy a good day trip from the triad—including places like Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point. This trip doesn’t take long; it’s less than an hour from the triad, and only about two hours if you’re coming from either Charlotte or Raleigh in western NC. While many visitors go for the popular Hanging Rock Trail, I love taking the time to hike the lesser-known paths. That’s how I found my way to the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail.
From my personal experience, the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail is the perfect spot for a day hike if you want less foot traffic compared to the more heavily trafficked trails. It really is a bit of a burner, but every step is worth it when you finally reach the top. The observation tower at the summit gives you amazing 360-degree views, a reward that truly sets this hike apart from the rest. Whether you’re a local looking for an adventure close to home or reading this blog post for your next getaway, Moore’s Wall will give you a unique hiking experience you won’t forget.
Moore’s Wall Loop Trail: Hidden Gem Hikers Can’t Resist- The Answers
Moore’s Wall Loop Trail, just under an hour from the Triad, offers a challenging but less crowded hike with a rewarding summit tower and stunning 360° views—perfect for a memorable day trip.
Hiking the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail in Hanging Rock State Park
If you’ve tried the Hanging Rock Trail before, the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail will feel familiar in difficulty but is nearly twice as long at 4.3 miles compared to the 2.4 miles of the more popular route. I always recommend allotting 2-3 hours for this particular hike, as it gives you plenty of time to enjoy the journey and the amazing views. Before you set out, make sure to pack your hiking essentials and follow the principles of Leave No Trace to keep the trail beautiful for everyone. Every time I go, it feels like a real adventure and a chance to connect with nature in a fresh way.
Hanging Rock State Park Map
Whenever I plan a visit, I always start with the map of Hanging Rock to get a sense of the impressive trail system in this state park. With over 20 miles of diverse hiking trails, there’s everything from mountain views to waterfalls, and the park is open 7AM-7PM, seven days a week. I love how easy it is to connect different trails in the park and tack on extra mileage if you want a longer hike. Using AllTrails makes it simple to find routes and discover lesser-known hikes, which has led me to some of my favorite spots that aren’t crowded, even on weekends.
Parking
Finding parking for the Moore’s Wall Loop Trail is usually easy and convenient—just drive to the address at 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 for the best directions. The main parking lot by Hanging Rock Park Lake is huge and right at the end of Hanging Rock Park Road, so you can park and start your walk to the trailhead without any trouble. Most days, especially in the cooler months or on a weekday, there’s no issue finding a spot, but the lots do fill up on busy weekends. If the main lot is full, just head to the Visitor’s Center parking lot and walk past the lake to reach the trail—just remember, the Visitor’s Center may be closed for renovations at times, so plan ahead!
Moore’s Wall Loop Trail Details
The Moore’s Wall Loop Trail is a true gem for anyone who loves a good challenge. With a difficulty rating of Moderate, the loop covers a length of 4.3mi and an elevation gain of 954ft. Most people finish the hike in about 2-3 hours. You’ll start near the lake in the main parking area, with a clear sign guiding you to the far left corner. From there, follow the path toward the historic bath house—which looks like a shelter and has public restrooms—then keep an eye out for a large sign telling you when to turn left for Moore’s Wall Loop.
As you begin, you’ll find the trail is well-marked, but some areas can be a little confusing, especially around the campground. Make sure to watch for the red, circular trail markers to stay on the right path. The hike starts with a leisurely stroll along Hanging Rock Park Lake, offering an easygoing start that only lasts about 10 minutes. Before long, you’ll be working up a sweat as you cross a footbridge and see a sign for your options: you can turn left (go clockwise) or right (counterclockwise). I usually take the counterclockwise direction since it’s a bit more challenging and you hit the stairs hard right from the get-go.
On your way up, you’ll conquer the first set of stairs and pass through the Hanging Rock State Park Campground. Here, it’s really important to pay attention to the red, circular trail markers as you cross the road to the next portion of the trail. Look out for markers on the pavement and you’ll see an amphitheater to your left soon after hopping back on the trail. Cross a small creek, then get ready for more stairs and a steady climb for about 30-45 minutes. Even though the hike is tough, it’s truly beautiful. I like to take breaks, drink water, and look out for the sign pointing to the Lookout Tower on your left and Balanced Rock on the right. Be sure to take the short trail to see Balanced Rock, an interesting rock formation where you can rest for a few minutes before heading the rest of the way to the top.
When you come out of the woods, you’ll spot the lookout tower and realize the climb is absolutely worth it. The incredible 360-degree views from the tower show signs for every direction with noteworthy peaks and even distant cities. Heading back down can be a bit steep in places, so I recommend bringing trekking poles if you have them—they’re really handy both on the way up and way down. Personally, I’ve loved every hike on this trail and dream of catching a sunrise or sunset here one day.
Other Hikes in Hanging Rock State Park
With a map in hand, it’s easy to see that Hanging Rock State Park is full of numerous trails for every kind of hike you might want, whether you prefer scenic mountain views or the peaceful sound of a waterfall hike. You can even combine different routes to get the best of both worlds in a single day—there’s a real variety to choose from, no matter your difficulty levels, which is a definite plus for both beginners and more experienced hikers.
Hanging Rock Overlook Trail
If you want a different adventure in the park, the Hanging Rock Trail is another great option with a difficulty rated as Moderate, a length of 2.4mi out & back, and an elevation gain of 603ft. I love this trail and have hiked it entirely by myself plenty of times, even though it can get heavily trafficked. It’s honestly my favorite place to catch a sunrise over Hanging Rock, and I highly recommend going on a weekday or early in the day to miss big crowds and have the overlook to yourself.
Hidden Falls and Window Falls via Indian Creek Trail Hanging Rock
For a refreshing adventure besides Moore’s Wall, you can discover two waterfalls with one trail by taking the Indian Creek Trail from the far end of the Visitor’s Center parking lot. After walking downhill for about 10 minutes, just watch for signs on your right for Hidden Falls, enjoy viewing it, then return to the trail and keep going to reach Window Falls. If you’re up for a longer hike, you can do the entire Indian Creek Trail, which is a hike of 7.3 miles out and back and is rated moderate—while the classic option is a Difficulty of Moderate with a Length of 1.2mi out & back and an Elevation gain of 288ft.
Upper Cascades Trail
If you’re looking for a short and easy walk after your Moore’s Wall adventure, try the Upper Cascades Trail with a difficulty rated Easy, a length of just 0.8mi out & back, and an elevation gain of 95ft. The most convenient spot to park and access the trailhead is the Visitor’s Center parking area, and after a brief walk you’ll reach the beautiful Upper Cascades Falls. Here, you can enjoy the falls from the upper viewing platform or take the stairs for a closer look. Depending on recent big rain, the waterflow might be especially impressive, and the quick hike always feels worth it for the relaxing views.
Lower Cascades Trail
After hiking Moore’s Wall, I love to switch things up with the Lower Cascades Trail, which is a truly easy route with a difficulty of Easy, length of 0.7mi out & back, and an elevation gain of 91ft. Lower Cascades Falls is my favorite waterfall in Hanging Rock State Park, but it can be a bit tricky to find because it’s secluded from the other trails, so make sure you know where you’re going in advance—sometimes service is spotty in this area. The parking lots and parking area at the trailhead are very small, so I always recommend starting your day here before moving onto other hikes in the park.
FAQs
How long does the Endless Wall Trail take?
When you discover the 5.3-mile out-and-back trail near Lansing, West Virginia, expect a moderately challenging route. On average, it takes about 2 h 5 min to complete. This popular area is great for hiking, rock climbing, and exploring with other people you might encounter.
How to get to the top of hanging rock?
To reach the top of Hanging Rock in Hanging Rock State Park, take the Hanging Rock Trail, a moderately challenging 1.2-mile out-and-back trail. The hike starts with paved steps, transitions to a wide paved path, and then ascends using wooden steps and inclines. As it levels out near the top, you’ll see beautiful views, unique rock formations, and the famous double rock ledges of Hanging Rock.
How hard is the Navajo Loop Trail?
The Navajo Loop Trail is a moderate route with an elevation gain of 515 ft. Most people complete it in 1–1.5 hr. Like many moderate trails, it has gradual climbs and a few obstacles like rocks and roots along the path.
How long does it take to hike Hanging Rock State Park?
The Hanging Rock Trail usually leads you to a stunning quartzite rock formation jutting out above the landscape that gives the park its name. Most hikers can rest, enjoy the spectacular views of the park below and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north after about 1 hour of hike on this trail to reach Hanging Rock.