Fall Road Trips: Linville Gorge and Falls

 

Linville Falls is a series of stunning waterfalls that drop into the deepest gorge in the eastern U.S. The views are majestic regardless of the season. But for the most unforgettable experience, visit it in the second half of October as the gorge and the road leading to it will blaze with fall colors. So you will have all the more reason to get out there and hit the trail. 

 

Linville Gorge

The Pisgah National Forest  in the mountains of Western North Carolina is home to the Linville Gorge, that bears the name of William Linville, a long hunter who fell victim to a Shawnee attack in 1766. The 12,000-acre wilderness area is situated between the Jonas Range on the east and Linville Mountain on the west.

The gorge is also referred to as "The Grand Canyon of the East" for its picturesque and rugged walls that were formed as a result of the erosion of the mighty Linville River. On its way to Lake James, the river drops into the valleys below creating two majestic falls along its way.

 

There are 4 overlooks off the Erwins View Trail: 

1. The Upper Falls Overlook, 1-mile round trip
2. Chimney View, 1.4-mile round trip
3. Erwins View, 1.6-mile round trip
4. Gorge View, 1.6-mile round trip with a close-up view of Linville Gorge
 

 

Erwins View Trail

The Erwin View Trail (aka Linville Falls Trail) is the main trail on the river's west bank. The trail includes four platforms overlooking both the upper and lower falls and the Linville River making its way through the gorge.

 

Upper Falls Overlook 

The Upper Falls Overlook is an easy 1-mile round-trip walk from the visitor center and the first stop on the Erwin View Trail. The platform is located very close to the falls and there are plenty of rocks to sit on and watch shadows and light from the sun dance across the bubbling stream. And ever though it was crowded when we visited on the weekend, we managed to find a spot on the rocks all to ourselves. 

 

 

Chimney View Overlook 

The second overlook leads to the views of the Lower Falls, which is the biggest of the two. It gives a bird-eye view of the falls in the distance with its rugged rocky walls and lush greenery.

 

 

To the right from the falls view you can see the gorge walls with the river cutting through it. This was by far my favorite view on the walk. 

 

 

 

 

Erwin's View

This overlook marks the end of this trail and boasts sweeping views of the gorge, cloud-shrouded mountain peaks, and Linville Falls in the distance.

 

 

Erwins View Trail

- 1.6-mile round trip
- Easy to moderate
- Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash.
- No swimming is allowed.
- 2 hr drive from Greenville, SC
- The visitor center is open from May through October.
- Enjoy the hike and leave no trash behind!

The falls are breathtaking.  No wonder this is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Have you been there yet? 

 

Note, these pictures were taken on 10/8/2023.

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