Linville Gorge is located on the southeastern slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, between Mount Mitchell (highest point in the entire Appalachians & east of the Mississippi) and Grandfather Mountain (highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountains).

The 12 mile long gorge is running in north-south direction and was formed by the Linville River flowing deep in the bottom of the canyon. The river descents from the Linville Falls at the north end about 2000 vertical feet, until it breaks into the open levels of the Catawba Valley and Lake James (reservoir). The Linville River has its source near Grandfather Mountain.

The west rim called Linville Mountain, a chain of wooded hills with steep rock outcroppings half way between crest and bottom of the canyon, and the east rim with several steep rocky peaks form the gorge. Elevation ranges from about 4000 feet average of the peaks and 1300 feet of the riverbed.

The entire area is heavily wooded with a hardwood and pine forest. The forest is often under grown by dense rhododendron bushes. Linville Gorge is part of Pisgah National Forest, and most of the gorge area is designated as Wilderness Area (12,002 Acres).

southern part of the Gorge

northen part of the Gorge

Getting There

East Rim

Take N.C. 181, coming from the north about 3 miles past the intersection with N.C. turn right into Ginger Cake Road. There is a big sign from the forest service and from here it’s about an other 2 miles to the gravel surface forest road.

From the south it is a little bit more difficult to find the southern end of the forest road, but there is a forest service sign as well indicating 13 miles to Table Rock pick nick ground.

West Rim

Turn on to N.C. 183 fro HWY 221 and after 1 mile turn into Kistler Memorial Highway. Kistler HWY is not a paved highway, it's a rugged gravel surface road and can get very rough sometimes.

Mountains In The Gorge Area

From a hiker or climber’s view the east rim offers the most interesting mountains and trails. Let’s start at the southern end of the gorge.

THE JONAS RIDGE (east rim)

SHORT OFF MOUNTAIN seen from Lake James has an impressive rock face to it’s west side. Basically Short Off Mountain is forming the southern mouth of the gorge. A mellow back is running north toward Table Rock, the crest is wooded with some rock outcroppings.

TABLE ROCK is an impressive and dominant rock formation if you approach the gorge from the south. It is visible far from the foothills of the Catawba Valley. Table Rock is dropping steep to all of it’s sides. The southeast face is vertical rock an offers excellent climbing.

HAWKS BILL is a pyramid shaped mountain with a nicely tipped rock outcropping at it’s peak. Table Rock and Hawksbill are creating a very deep gap, which offers hiking access into the gorge; it’s called the Spence Ridge.

SITTING BEAR is the most northern peak in the Jonas Ridge. Has some rock outcroppings but mostly wooded.

Table Rock - Amphitheater - Short off Mtn (east rim)

LINVILLE MOUNTAIN (west rim)

The west rim is more of a long stretched back with several humps as highpoints. It does not have a distinctive peak; the most northern hill is called the Linville Mountain. A forest service road (Kistler Mem Hwy!) follows the entire rim from north to south. About half way down or up the road a turn off to Wiseman’s View grants fantastic views to all the peaks of the entire east rim. A rockband at about mid elevation stretches all the way down on the entire length of the Gorge. The trails on this side of the canyon have to find a way though the vertical step, giving them a difficult touch.

Linville Mountain (west rim)

The Wilderness Area - Red Tape

The Linville Gorge Area is protected by the 1964 Wilderness act.

Wilderness Management

The Wilderness Act also spells out the Forest Service Role in managing the area. It says wilderness should be protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions and wilderness character. And it should be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner as will leave it unimpaired for future use.

What is allowed?

Hunting and fishing according to state game and fish regulations
Trail construction and maintenance
Primitive facilities if critical to the protection of the resources
Outfitter/Guide operations by permit
Use of motorized equipment in some emergencies
Prospecting but no mining
Collection of nuts, comes and berries for personal use

What is not allowed?

Roads
Timber harvesting
Structures
Mechanical transport (bicycles)
Motorized vehicles and equipment
Aircraft landings
Commercial enterprises
Removal of plants, stone, moss for personal or commercial use
Removal of historical or archeological artifacts

Climbing In The Gorge

Climbing areas are:

Shortoff Mountain
Devil’s Cellar
Chimneys
North Carolina Wall
Amphitheater
Table Rock
Hawksbill
Sitting Bear

The most popular and easy to access areas are Table Rock, The Chimneys and the North Carolina Wall and to the north of TR are Little Table Rock and Devils’ Cellar. They all are reached via hiking trails from the Table Rock parking lot within relatively short hiking time. The North Carolina Wall is the farthest away.

Hiking In The Gorge

Hiking trails:

East Rim Trails

Short off Mountain Tr.
Cambric Ridge Tr.
Table Rock Tr.
Spence Ridge Tr.
Jonas Ridge Tr.
Devil’s Hole Tr.
Brushy Ridge Tr.

Deep in the Gorge

The Linville Gorge Trail follows the Linville River in its entire length at the bottom of the canyon.

West Rim Trails

Pinch in Tr.
Rock Jock Tr.
Conley Cove Tr.
Sandy Flats
Babel Tower Tr.
Bynum Tr.
Cabin Tr.
Bynum Bluff Tr.
Pine Gap Tr.

Camping In The Gorge

Camping permit required!

Permits are required for camping only on weekends and holidays during the period May 1 through October 31. Permits will not be required during the period November 1 through April 30

When To Climb And Hike - Climate

Linville Gorge is accessible all year. The spring and fall month are the best month due to relatively low humidity. Fall colors are spectacular and in spring time when the leaves are not peeking out yet, the views are fantastic through the bare trees.

North Carolinas weather and climate is in general hot and humid during the summer month from June till the end of August. If you get out of the foothills and reach about 3500 feet in elevation the humidity drops down and the temperature as well for about 10 - 15 degree F. The peaks in the Gorge area are above that elevation and it makes up for a pleasant day when everybody else is sweating down in the valley.

Hiking in the bottom of the Gorge and on lower trails can be muggy and it cost's you a lot of sweat during the summer month. Bring plenty of drinking water!

Spring and fall are in general low in humidity and most pleasant for activities. The Linville Gorge has a very harsh winter climate with snow and ice. Not many visitors during that time are the trade off.

Other Attractions In The Gorge

The Linville Falls at the northern end. Beautiful cascading waterfalls with several hiking trails. (not located in wilderness area)

Online Resources

Weather, Linville Falls

US Forest Service, Pisgah National Forest

Great climbing page from Wayne Busch

Books And Maps

Randy Johnson Hiking Guides

A great collection of guidebooks is found here

Images



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