Route: Moore's Wall Loop Trail, Magnolia Springs Trail, Cook's Wall Trail, Wolf Rock Trail, Hanging Rock Trail
Type: Loop
Distance: 9.1 miles
Difficulty: Average
Conditions: Sunshine!
Impression: This was a great day hike and I was happy to be joined by a long time good friend who I hadn't seen in a while. This turned out to be a ton of fun and a moderately easy day hike, though I think hiking mountains was a bit of a shock to my friend's body. All in all, we had a great time and broke a descent sweat.
Type: Loop
Distance: 9.1 miles
Difficulty: Average
Conditions: Sunshine!
Impression: This was a great day hike and I was happy to be joined by a long time good friend who I hadn't seen in a while. This turned out to be a ton of fun and a moderately easy day hike, though I think hiking mountains was a bit of a shock to my friend's body. All in all, we had a great time and broke a descent sweat.
We decided to first see the observation tower, via the Moore's Wall Loop Trail. The ascent up to the tower is something like 1300 ft in less than 2 miles, which in retrospect, really wasn't too bad. From the tower, the views are spectacular. It's amazing how flat the majority of the landscape surrounding the state park is, with only a few mountains scattered across the countryside. One of which is Pilot Mountain, the unmistakeable "nipple" of a mountain in the close distance. The few mountains that do rise up offer long views that span two states. It's really quite breathtaking.
After a snack and a few photos, we continued on hiking, heading out towards Hanging Rock. As with the observation tower, great views are had from Hanging Rock, it's really a nice place to go and have lunch or a bottle of wine, like a couple of ladies we saw.
Hanging Rock State Park is a very popular destination for the area so expect lots of folks around if you ever choose to head out this way. With over 30 miles of hiking trails and a slew of waterfalls (that I haven't seen yet), this park offers plenty to do. I'm excited for my next trip out to Hanging Rock and recommend it to anyone looking for either a day hike or an overnight excursion. Happy Hiking!
After a snack and a few photos, we continued on hiking, heading out towards Hanging Rock. As with the observation tower, great views are had from Hanging Rock, it's really a nice place to go and have lunch or a bottle of wine, like a couple of ladies we saw.
Hanging Rock State Park is a very popular destination for the area so expect lots of folks around if you ever choose to head out this way. With over 30 miles of hiking trails and a slew of waterfalls (that I haven't seen yet), this park offers plenty to do. I'm excited for my next trip out to Hanging Rock and recommend it to anyone looking for either a day hike or an overnight excursion. Happy Hiking!
| Directions to Trailhead: From Winston-Salem, NC take Hwy 8 north to Danbury. Turn left at Stokes-Reynolds Hospital on Hanging Rock Park Road 1.5 miles to the park. From Stuart, VA take Hwy 8 south to Danbury. Turn right at Stokes-Reynolds Hospital on Hanging Rock Park Road 1.5 miles to the park. | Suggested Map: Check out the Visitor Center for a map of the State Park. |
  Pilot Mountain off in the distance     |  Moore's Knob Lookout Tower  Hanging Rock from the Tower     |
Further Explorations:
 Pilot Mountain, NC |  Canaveral National Seashore, FL |  Spencer Gap Trail, Pisgah N.F. |
