Linville Falls
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“Somehow Linville Falls runs in our blood.” Tense Franklin Banks
Linville Falls, North Carolina’s most storied waterfall, stands apart for its beauty, dramatic geology, rich history, and exceptional recreation. Since at least the early 1800s, it has inspired artists, writers, poets, photographers, scientists, and romantics. North Carolina has no official state waterfall, but Linville Falls would be the perfect choice.
It’s easy to see why a mid-1800s traveler wrote, “We have seen Niagara in all its artistic splendor, and we have seen what was called grand scenery, but never, never, have we seen anything to equal the scenery of Linville Falls, nor do we ever expect to see the like again until we revisit them.”194
How about that—a North Carolina waterfall judged grander than mighty Niagara!
There’s no shortage of writing about Linville Falls and Linville Gorge, but sorting through it all can be daunting. It certainly was for me while preparing this page! These three highly recommended resources make the job much easier. The Literature section also includes some juicy historical writings on Linville Falls, and the books behind those excerpts are well worth some quality reading-chair time for anyone interested in Western North Carolina history.
Tense Franklin Banks, The Story of Linville Falls, A Village, A People, A Wilderness (Comin’ Home Publications, 2021). In 339 pages, Banks takes an exhaustive look at the history of Linville Falls and its community.
Christopher Blake, River of Cliffs: A History of Linville Gorge (The History Press, 2017). Blake draws excerpts from several books to give us a varied portrait of Linville Gorge.
Allen T. Hyde, The Linville Gorge and Wilson Creek Hiker’s Guide: An Introduction (self-published, 2021). Look for the 308-page third edition. Despite “Introduction” in the title, Hyde offers a detailed guide to the region’s human and natural history and hiking opportunities. It’s the “Bible” of Linville Gorge.
Autumn view of Linville Falls from Plunge Basin Overlook. (064A-201506)
Driving Directions
Open driving directions in map appPisgah National Forest Trailhead
The trailhead is off Kistler Memorial Highway (Old NC 105). From the junction of US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 317.5, drive 0.7 miles south on US 221 and turn left onto NC 183. Continue 0.6 miles, then veer right onto gravel Kistler Memorial Highway. The parking area is 0.1 miles ahead on the left.
Blue Ridge Parkway Trailhead
At Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 316.5, 1 mile north of the US 221 intersection, turn onto the Linville Falls spur road. Follow it 1.4 miles to the large parking area.
Hiking Directions
Quick Glance
Follow the well-marked trails.
Detailed Look
The trails at Linville Falls are well marked and easy to follow, so detailed directions aren’t necessary.
At Upper Falls Overlook on river right, you can see the small upper waterfall and large upstream pool, and look downstream to see the river enters the chasm at the main falls.
Chimney View and Erwins View, both on river right, offer excellent distant views. Erwins View takes in the falls, gorge, and distant mountains, while Chimney View provides a closer, more intimate perspective.
On river left, Plunge Basin Overlook offers superb views of the Chimneys on the gorge’s west side and a distinctive perspective on the falls.
At Plunge Basin on river left, the trail ends beside the river near the falls’ base, but the waterfall is not visible from that point. To see it, scramble upstream over the rocks. When the water is above normal, the route is difficult and easier if you’re willing to get your feet wet.
Approximate trail distances from the paved Blue Ridge Parkway parking area:
Upper Falls Overlook: 0.5 miles
Chimney View: 0.75 miles
Erwins View: 0.9 miles
Plunge Basin Overlook: 0.5 miles
Plunge Basin: 0.75 miles
From the unpaved National Forest trailhead, the trail runs 0.3 miles before joining the route from the paved parking area.
The new bridge over Linville River at the trailhead. (064A-270693)
| Accessibility: | Hiking trail |
| County: | Burke |
| River Basin: | Catawba |
| Watercourse: | Linville River |
| Watershed: | Large |
| Type and Height: | Powerful cascades and freefalls totaling 100 feet Height measured with rangefinder. I’m including the upper section in the 100-foot measurement. |
| Landowner: | Blue Ridge Parkway |
| Beauty Rating: | 10 |
| Elevation: | 3160 feet |
| USGS Map: | Linville Falls |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Hike Distance: | See Hiking Directions |
| Waterfall GPS: | 35.94993, -81.92715 Reading taken from Upper Falls Overlook at the top of the main falls. |
| Trailhead GPS 1 & 2: | 35.95543, -81.92798 This is for the paved Blue Ridge Parkway parking area on the river-left side. This is for the unpaved National Forest parking area on the river-right side. |
Photo Gallery
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Then & Now
Historical Gallery
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Frank Bicknell Historical Gallery
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