Hike to Hanging Rock
Details
Distance
2.6 miles
Elevation Gain
600 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Kenton Steryous
A relatively short and well-traveled hike with awesome 270 degree views at the summit.
Park in the main parking lot for Hanging Rock State Park, and the trailhead can easily be found in the upper parking lot (furthest away from the main building), and is clearly marked. The trail starts off by descending, but don't be fooled, it quickly turns into a steady climb that will have you wanting to catch your breath in spite of the relatively short distance.
At about the one mile mark, you'll reach a set of man-made steps, and after climbing those you'll catch your first glimpse of Hanging Rock directly overhead. From here you'll make your final push around and to the top, coming in from behind Hanging Rock.
I was lucky enough to hike there on a weeknight, and had the place nearly to myself. However, the weekends will be very crowded and heavily trafficked. But there are plenty of boulders and overlooks for you to find your own little spot.
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Reviews
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Gorgeous And Popular
I have been to hanging rock dozens of times and with every experience I am met with another vision of astounding beauty. Definitely a trip for the whole family.
5.0
The View!
I’ve done this hike multiple times. A clear day hike is amazing, a sunset hike is magical, and a cloudy day is interestedly eerie. You can’t go wrong with this one. Oh yea, be prepared to sweat.
5.0
Worth It
The park is very nice. Get there early as the parking lot gets full! The loops are 7miles worth, so be prepared with plenty of water and food. The trail to hanging rock is NO JOKE! You will lose your breath for sure for such a short trail! So worth it though. I stayed until sun set ! Pretty stuff.
5.0
Crowded But Beautiful Formations
Expect crowds on a nice day. The earlier you can get on the trail the better. The rock formation at the top are pretty neat, take time to chill and snack. The views are decent. We were traveling through, home basing in Winston so this was a nice park to dive into some nature with options for decent hiking.
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
