Winston-Salem, NC: Wolf Rock Loop

A massive, 600-foot granite dome and a 200-foot waterfall are just two of the highlights along this 3.9-mile loop in North Carolina’s Stone Mountain State Park. From the lower trailhead, this route begins climbing the Wolf Rock Trail toward one of the park’s signature granite slab summits. Atop Wolf Rock, hikers are greeted with above-the-trees views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

After descending Wolf Rock, the trail winds back north along the base of Stone Mountain, an imposing granite wall that beckons local climbers. A short detour from the base of the mountain is Stone Mountain Falls, an impressive 200-foot cascade, as well as the Hutchinson Homestead, a representation of 19th century settler life. Explore these sites before wandering north back to the trailhead.

-Mapped by Billy Potter

TO TRAILHEAD: From Winston-Salem, take US-421 east to I-77 north. Go 10.1 miles and bear left on US-21. In 16.4 miles, turn left on Oklahoma/Stone Mt Rd. Go 3.1 miles and turn right to continue on NC-1101/Stone Mt Rd. Continue 2.8 miles and turn left into Stone Mt State Park; trailhead is .2 mile ahead on left.