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Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina (View Photos):
Hanging Rock State Park is a good example of North Carolina's attractive diversity. In between the state's remarkable Appalachian Mountain range and the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks, the forested Piedmont plateau stretches out for many miles, offering a quiet experience for hikers. Hanging Rock State Park, located in the North-Central region of North Carolina, preserves 6,962 acres of this Piedmont country. It has some of the best scenery anywhere in the state, made accessible along 18 miles of hiking trails.
The park features exposed, rugged cliffs that lie on a foundation of quartzite rock. The cliffs provide exceptional views 1,500 feet above the surrounding forested countryside. A canopy of oak and pine makes possible a rich diversity of supporting plants like azalea, rhododendron, mountain laurel and galax. A series of waterfalls can be explored via the Upper Cascades and Indian Creek trails. Both Spring (wildflowers) and Fall (autumn colors) are ideal seasons for exploring the charms of this underrated park.
Recommended Day Hikes:
Hanging Rock Trail
Round Trip Length: 2.4 miles out-and-back
Trailhead location: The main parking lot near the Visitor Center
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: On this trail, you will hike to the top of a 200-foot cliff where eye-pleasing vistas of the rolling Piedmont forest await. Hanging Rock
itself is a gorgeous rock formation, and from its summit you will get excellent and finely detailed views of the rock layers that form
this geological landmark.
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Jagged quartzite cliffs, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Piedmont forest, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Pine tree cluster growing out of the quartzite cliffs, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
Cascading waterfall, Hanging Rock State Park, (June 2010)
