Ramsey Cascades Trail

Ramsey Cascades is an 8-mile out-and-back from the end of Ramsey Prong Road in Greenbrier to the park’s tallest waterfall, a 105-foot, multi-tier drop. The route climbs more than 2,000 feet through cove hardwood forest and along Ramsey Prong. Give it 5–7 hours: the first stretch is broad and steady, but the upper miles turn into a steep, rocky stair climb. Choose it for a full-day waterfall hike, not a quick stroll. Start with energy left for the return descent.

For the first 1.5 miles, the route follows an old roadbed through cove hardwoods; it is wider and more forgiving than what follows. At the former turnaround, the road ends and the trail narrows. A former branch toward Greenbrier Pinnacle is now overgrown and unmaintained, so stay on Ramsey Cascades Trail. The start can feel deceptively easy; don’t judge the return by the first mile.

The next roughly 2.5 miles climb beside Ramsey Prong through a steep gorge. The creek runs through rapids and pools, with smaller cascades along the way. Several footlog bridges and stream crossings break up the climb. Expect more roots, rocks and uneven steps as you gain height. It’s shaded and the creek is often within earshot, but crossings deserve respect when the water is high. After heavy rain, turn back if a crossing looks unsafe.

The upper approach steepens into rock steps, roots and boulders before the falls. Ramsey Cascades spills over several tiers into a small pool; the full drop is 105 feet. The wet rocks above the trail are muddy and slippery, so don’t climb to the top. Stay at the established trail end for the view. The final scramble is not a safe way to get a higher photo angle.

The last two miles pass through old-growth cove hardwood forest. Tuliptrees, eastern hemlocks, basswoods, silverbells and yellow birches fill the ravine above the creek. The waterfall is the headline, but the long, shaded approach is a big part of the experience: you follow the water deeper into the gorge, with mossy boulders and small cascades before the main falls.

A three-year restoration wrapped up in November 2024. Crews regraded 2.5 miles, added more than 600 steps and 151 trail drains, built two footlog bridges, and rerouted more than 900 feet around the section washed out in the 2022 flood. That work explains the mix of natural tread, stone and log steps, and bridges you’ll meet; it is part of the current route, not a separate trail.

The trailhead is at the end of Ramsey Prong Road in Greenbrier. Parking is limited, and the park advises considering a shuttle. A parking tag is required for stays longer than 15 minutes. The nearest restroom is at Greenbrier Picnic Area, before the trailhead; there are no services along the hike, so bring enough food and water for a six-hour outing. If this climb is more than you want, the park lists Hen Wallow Falls (4.3 miles round trip) and Lynn Camp Prong Cascades (1.4 miles round trip) as shorter waterfall hikes elsewhere in the park. Pets are not allowed on Ramsey Cascades Trail.