Linville Falls

Linville Falls is a waterfall located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the United States. The falls move in several distinct steps, beginning in a twin set of upper falls, moving down a small gorge, and finally culminating in a high-volume 45-foot (14 m) drop. It is named for the Linville River, which goes over the falls. Linville Falls has the highest volume of any waterfall on the Northern Edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Natural history

Linville Falls marks the beginning of the Linville Gorge, which is formed by the Linville River, which continues on after the falls before finally ending near Lake James.

History

According to personnel at Linville Falls, the falls were used by local Native Americans to execute prisoners. No one is known to have survived a fall over the final plunge.

The falls were donated to the National Park Service in 1952 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. He provided about $100,000 for purchase of the land, including a 1,100 acre area surrounding the falls and a part of Linville Gorge, from Giulia Luginbuhl of Des Moines, IA, whose father, F. W. Hossfeld of Morganton, NC, had purchased the property about 1900.

At one time, the upper section of the main plunge was the same height as the lower section, however, flooding caused the upper section to collapse on top of the lower falls, making the lower falls a considerably longer plunge.

Visiting the falls

The falls is owned by the National Park Service, which operates a visitor center and several miles of non-handicapped accessible trails with 4 overlooks for the falls. The 0.5-mile (0.80 km) Upper Falls trail leads to the top of the falls, where visitors can see the small twin upper falls and the water spiraling through a small canyon on its way to the main falls. The Erwin's View trail leads to 2 overlooks, the Chimney View overlook (0.7 miles) and the Erwin's View overlook (0.8 miles). The 0.5-mile (0.80 km) Plunge Basin Trail leads to the Plunge Basin Overlook, which provides a view of the falls from the other side of the river. Finally, the 0.7-mile (1.1 km) Gorge Trail, which branches off from the Plunge Basin trail, leads to an area near the foot of the falls. Swimming is prohibited at all areas of Linville Falls, as many deaths have occurred.[]

Nearby falls

Duggers Creek Falls is located in the Linville Falls National Recreation Area. It can be reached by the short Duggers Creek Falls trail, which starts at the back right corner of the paved parking lot from the Visitor Center. The small falls can be seen on the right from a footbridge over the creek.

References

External links

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21 November 2013
Great trail, scenic view of the falls. There are three lookout spots, each from a higher point. If you get tired, just walk back before going to the highest spot. It's the same view, just higher up.
Visit North Carolina
12 October 2011
This spot offers offers gorgeous waterfalls, hiking trails and spectacular views. Try Wiseman’s View, Table Rock, Hawksbill Mountain and Shortoff Mountain for the best views of Linville Gorge.
Colin Lord
20 September 2018
There's multiple trails of varying difficulties that offer different views of the falls. Be sure to look at a map before you set off on your hike.
Callie Hayes
15 August 2015
BEAUTIFUL. Nature is amazing. The rock formations are phenomenal
MountaincabinNC
3 October 2011
If you are up for it hike to Plunge Basin. Awesome view of the falls.
Callie Hayes
15 August 2015
Go to both overlooks past the falls!!!
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8276 Biggerstaff Lane, Pisgah National Forest, Newland, NC 28657, USA Get directions
Fri 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon Noon–6:00 PM
Tue 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Wed Noon–5:00 PM

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