Linville Falls: the hike The hike begins at a visitor center located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near MP 316 (view maps and driving directions). Kid friendly hike as there is not a lot of elevation with bathrooms and a ranger available. The overlook is named for the chimney-like rock outcroppings located to the right of the waterfall. Here, the Linville River spills gently over the upper falls where it widens and pauses. From the visitor center (restrooms from May through October), bear right across the bridge to reach the easiest views of this awesome waterfall, the Parkway's largest by volume of water. It is a nice place to spend quality time with family outdoors in nature and the wilderness. Both begin at the Linville Falls Visitor Center, which is operated by the National Park Service. At a junction in 0.5 mile, turn right and go down steeply but briefly to Plunge Basin Overlook, a rock-walled perch above the falls. It's a 1-mile round-trip back at the visitor center. Back on the main trail, go left on the easy path through towering trees. From top to bottom, there is almost 1,500 feet in elevation change. Dugger’s Creek Falls is a short 6’ waterfall in a tiny ravine, but the view is really nice. It is a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” The Falls Trail distance is 1.6 miles round trip and easy. The Linville Gorge is one of the most forbidding wilderness areas in North Carolina. At the bottom of the steps-the trail turns abruptly right-don't keep straight. I love the Linville Falls area! Pass through the visitor center portico and take the Linville Gorge Trail to the right. Linville Falls Hike located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, in North Carolina is a moderate to easy hike. Hiking in and around Linville falls offers every level of hiking challenge and satisfaction. The right fork takes hikers to Plunge Basin Overlook where they can view the lower falls and the Chimneys. At 0.6 mile from the visitor center, go left at a rain shelter down steep steps 0.1 mile to the airy perch of Chimney View for a great falls vista. The trail is strenuous in this area with considerable elevation gain. There’s an elevation gain of about 120 feet. Both begin at the Linville Falls Visitor Center and pass through remnants of a virgin hemlock forest mixed with other familiar tree species such as white pine, oaks, hickory, and birch. Linville Falls has multiple trailheads that can be used to reach the falls and various views. From this vantage point hikers can enjoy a panoramic view of the Linville Gorge and a distant view of the upper and lower falls. At about 1.0 mile from the visitor center, Erwins View overlooks the falls, gorge, and hikers back on Chimney View. linville falls community 317 visitor center trail mileage is visitor center duggeris creek rt 163 campground riverbend u.s.f.s. Hiking Trails/Best Views: From the Blue Ridge Parkway, two main hiking trails lead to beautiful views of the Linville Falls. Start the hikes to Linville Falls from a small visitor center and parking area 1.5 miles from the Parkway, past the Linville Falls Campground. Gain: Parking: 2.5 hrs plus a half hour for lunch 650 ft Park at visitor center parking area. Linville Falls, a waterfall fed by the River and free for the public; Wiseman's view, a rock outcrop near the center of the gorge that gives an excellent view of the interior of the gorge. Overlooks at the top of the falls and from across the gorge provide unique vantages of the twisting mini-gorge immediately above the falls and the falls itself. Mitchell (6684’ Elev.) It’s only a 0.25-mile hike from the visitor center to get there. At a junction in 0.5 mile, turn right and go down steeply but briefly to Plunge Basin Overlook, a rock-walled perch above the falls. Linville Falls is an unincorporated community at the junction of Avery, Burke, and McDowell counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. To experience fully what Linville Gorge has to offer, hike to the multiple spots that offer delightful views of Linville Falls from various angles. One of the most photographed waterfalls in North Carolina, Linville Falls offers a variety of views and adventures for people of all ages. The hike leads to the beautiful Linville waterfalls. Two main hiking trails lead to views of Linville falls. Only one of the trails is strenuous, and you can hike to all five viewpoints with a four-mile hike. The trail climbs into scrubbier vegetation to craggy overlooks above the gorge. This marks the end of the hike as well; return to your vehicle on the same trail. Linville Falls is open from Dawn to Dusk throughout the year and managed by the National Parks Service, as you’ll see from the visitor center that greets you upon arrival. One of my favorite hikes is down into the Linville Gorge. The next overlook, Chimney View, 0.7 miles from the visitor center, is the first point on the trail where the lower falls can be seen. It's a 1-mile round-trip back at the visitor center. Phone: (828) 348-3400. This hike could be described as a “Tale of 2 Trails”. The mountain community borders the Pisgah National Forest with picturesque views of the Lee Trevino inspired golf course and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains. T: (828) 266-1345. You can read about that hike and the easiest way to do it here. One destination, endless possibilities, at your fingertips. Access the trails from two parking areas about 15 miles from Sugar Mountain: on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 316.4 and in the Pisgah Forest Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. The Linville Falls trails range in difficulty from moderate to strenuous. Back at the shelter, go left and not far on the right is Gorge View. The Inn at Linville Falls, located at our front entrance, provides a unique mountain inn experience to those visiting our community. Contact the Park. Linville Falls is an iconic waterfall that drops 90 feet into the Linville Gorge. Top Linville Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Linville, North Carolina on Tripadvisor. Of the four major gorges located in the state, Linville is the only one that doesn’t have a road cutting through it. Linville Falls can be even more beautiful in the winter - and more tranquil since the summer crowds are gone! The trails to Linville Gorge (1.4 miles round trip) and to Plunge Basin (1 mile round trip) also start at the visitor center. The trail begins a steady (and often muddy) descent to Linville Gorge, dropping elevation alongside a small creek. There are some great views of the Falls throughout this short hike. Return for a 2.0-mile round-trip hike. There are about 4 total miles of trails meandering around and through the gorge and right up to the falls. Linville Falls, Linville Falls: See 194 reviews, articles, and 272 photos of Linville Falls, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 4 attractions in Linville Falls. 1.4mi, Climbs Steeply, Moderately Rough; Nearby Trails. The first overlook is 0.5 miles from the visitor center, and is a moderate walk with a slight loss of elevation. Plan your hike with the Linville Falls Trails page. This makes for a 2.2-mile hike of moderate difficulty. The trail crosses a bridge over the Linville River, following a wide gravel road and rolling elevation through a vibrant green forest. GoPro footage of our hike to the Plunge Basin Overlook at Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a bit of a challenging hike, but once you are down there it’s amazing! Travel Info: Find Updates and Reopenings in Asheville & Western North Carolina. The level, road-width Linville Falls Trail leads through a scenic forest along the river to a junction on the right at 0.4 mile (a Forest Service spur trail connects to NC 1238, a short distance away-see the map below). Hier kann hervorragend spaziert werden. Linville Falls from Erwin's View in Autumn. A second parking area is near the village of Linville Falls in Pisgah National Forest - a great option for winter hikes when the Parkway is closed (read more). In addition to hiking, find a campground along the Parkway access r… Asheville, NC Pass through the visitor center portico and take the Linville Gorge Trail to the right. 331 QUEEN STREET, SUITE 104 The Visitor Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is located at mile post 316, has restroom facilities, and is probably the most common approach to the falls however this section will likely be inaccessible during the Winter months as the Parkway is closed. 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