The Linville Gorge Wilderness, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is part of the Pisgah National Forest. The gorge is formed by the Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west and is bisected by the Linville River which drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. We visited the Linville and the Catawba Falls in this forest on a half day trip from Ashville. The falls are 55 miles north of Ashville.
Linville Falls – offers two main trails from the Visitor Center –
- Erwin’s View Trail which is a 1.6-1.7 miles round trip with panoramic overlooks of the upper/lower falls and gorge
- Linville Gorge Trail is a 1.4-mile round-trip hike that leads down to the plunge basin for close-up views of the falls and river. It’s a great option if you have extra time and don’t mind a bit of a workout. If you’re looking for an easier experience, you can still enjoy an excellent view of the gorge from a lookout along the Erwin’s View Trail.
Erwins View Trail – We did this hike which is a moderate hike of 1.6 miles round-trip from the Visitors Center, and offers four overlooks. The first overlook of Upper Falls is 1/2 mile from the Visitors Center, and is an easy walk with a slight loss of elevation. The water from the upper falls area rushes into a narrow canyon before it plunges 45 ft. over the lower falls.
Continue on the Erwins View Trail for another quarter mile to reach the next overlook, Chimney View. This is the first point on the trail where the lower falls can be seen. It offers an excellent chance to photograph both the upper and lower falls, along with the impressive cliffs. The overlook is named for the chimney-like outcroppings located to the right of the waterfall.
Catawba Falls – This relatively easy trail within the beautiful Pisgah National Forest is one of the most picturesque waterfall hikes in the region. A simple 1.5 mile trek that meanders through a shady forest, leads you to a gorgeous 100 foot tall, multi-tiered wonder.
