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Asheville, NC: Linville Gorge Loop
A super-sampler of the southern half of Linville Gorge, this 3-day backpack showcases some of the best sweeping cliff-top views and raging waterfalls that the "Grand Canyon of the East" has to offer.
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| Author: | prives |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | North Carolina (NC) |
| Distance: | 22 mi |
| Difficulty: | 7 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 4 rating(s)
|
A three-day backpack above and down into the "Grand Canyon of the East," this 22-mile Linville Gorge loop offers a super sampler of the amazing vistas and trailside distractions that the Linville Gorge Wilderness has to offer. Along this route, backpackers will find multiple campsite options, both on the east rim of the gorge and at the bottom along the Linville River.
Starting at Wolf Pit Road parking area, ascend the Wolf Pit Trail and turn right onto the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST; white circle blazes). Continuing north along the gorge's east rim, the MST skirts Shortoff Mountain—where a cliff overlook offers sweeping chasm views and stellar camping—before continuing on and up to The Chimneys (360-degree overlooks and more campsite options).
After 7.8 miles, take an optional 1-mile out-and-back detour up to an overlook at Table Rock Mountain, or begin your descent to the gorge floor on Spence Ridge Trail. After crossing the Linville River, the route turns south for 6.2 miles of gentle down-slope hiking alongside the river. Nearly 12 miles in, the trail passes Cathedral Falls, where hikers can take a dip or cast a line. At mile 17.5, the trail crosses a river tributary and begins its climb out of the gorge. Turn right on a blue-blazed connector trail which traverses a steeper ridge to reconnect with the Mountains to Sea Trail.
Turning left on the MST, the route makes a short descent down to a 60-yard ford of the Linville River. Note: Check this spot from Flora Lane before you hike. If the water is too high, do not attempt to cross here. Instead, stash a shuttle car on Flora Lane on the west side of the river. After the crossing, it's a stiff, 1,800-foot climb up the southern ridge of Shortoff Mountain and a 1-mile descent back down to Wolf Pit Road.
Plan it: A permit is required to camp overnight on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays between May 1st and October 31st. No more than 10 people per group. Maximum length of stay is 3 days and 2 nights. Call the Grandfather District Ranger at 828-652-4841 (or 2144) to secure a permit.
-Mapped by Peter Rives
TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-40 to exit 105 to NC 18 (toward Morganton/Shelby). Continue on NC 18/Green St./NC 181 for 6.5 miles and turn left on Frank Whisnant Rd./NC 1250. Follow Frank Whisnant Rd./NC 1250 for 2.5 miles and turn right onto NC 126 for 6 miles. Turn right onto Wolf Pit Road and follow to parking area.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Linville Gorge Loop
| Distance: 21.82 mi | Points: 2466 |
Points of Interest
LGL001
Location: 35.823981, -81.889783From the trailhead parking area on Wolf Pit Road, follow the Wolf Pit Trail. The route ascends immediately, switchbacking up the southern slopes of Shortoff Mountain.
LGL002
Location: 35.828365, -81.898077Turn right onto the white-blazed Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) to begin the counter-clockwise loop, hiking along the east rim of the Linville Gorge. Just ahead, the trail descends a gully and passes a water pipe.
LGL003
Location: 35.833854, -81.898484As the Mountains to Sea Trail approaches the summit of Shortoff Mountain, the route passes a huge campsite.
LGL004
Location: 35.838747, -81.896196Turn left onto short side trail for a cliff overlook offering sweeping views of Linville Gorge. Next, hike north along the east rim to a rock overhang that offers another campsite opportunity. After another 2 miles of relatively flat terrain along the east rim, the route descends to Chimney Gap.
LGL005
Location: 35.864457, -81.880084Chimney Gap: From here, it's about 1,000 feet of climbing over 1.25 miles up to the Chimneys.
LGL006
Location: 35.876428, -81.888474Just south of the Chimneys' summit, the route passes a few stellar campsites. Just ahead, rock outcroppings offer phenomenal 360-degree views of the gorge and Pisgah National Forest. If you choose to camp here, one of the benefits is a sunrise view as you continue hiking north atop the rim.
LGL007
Location: 35.885851, -81.884719Parking at Table Rock: Another option for starting/finishing the loop or a way to turn the first 7 miles into a shuttle hike.
LGL008
Location: 35.890180, -81.886404To continue on the Mountains to Sea Trail, turn left as the trail passes another gorge overlook before beginning its descent to the Linville River. To the right, the Little Table Rock Trail offers a 1-mile out-and-back detour to an open summit with unobstructed 360 degree views.
LGL009
Location: 35.900410, -81.889697Turn right (uphill) onto the Spence Ridge Trail.
LGL010
Location: 35.901253, -81.885406Turn left to continue on the Spence Ridge Trail. Just 0.2 mile ahead, the Spence Ridge Trail makes a sharp left turn and begins a steeper descent to the gorge floor.
LGL011
Location: 35.901900, -81.897438After crossing the bridge, turn left onto the Linville Gorge Trail and begin hiking south alongside the river.
LGL012
Location: 35.897681, -81.900576Cathedral Falls: Swimming and fishing opportunities abound at this riverside stop. Caution: The current is often strong here. Continuing south alongside the river, there are various campsite options at the bottom of trails leading down to the gorge floor. In 3.9 miles, keep an eye out for a little island in the middle of the river with enough room for one campsite (leave no trace!).
LGL013
Location: 35.837264, -81.911445The trail passes Daffodil Flats, an old homestead site.
LGL014
Location: 35.835148, -81.914908Cross a small creek, continuing on the Linville Gorge Trail.
LGL015
Location: 35.830950, -81.915667Here, the Linville Gorge Trail crosses a larger river tributary. Just ahead, the trail begins its climb out of the gorge.
LGL016
Location: 35.828687, -81.917989Turn right (uphill) onto a primitive trail marked with blue blazes. Ahead, the trail reaches a sharp ridge (follow blue blazes).
LGL017
Location: 35.819988, -81.915908At the end of the blue-blazed trail, turn left (downhill) back onto the Mountains to Sea Trail.
LGL018
Location: 35.810070, -81.904986Linville River Ford: Look for a large, round marker on far bank. Caution: Do not attempt this crossing in high water conditions. After crossing the river, the trail makes its final push, ascending the southern ridge of Shortoff Mountain before closing the loop and descending back to Wolf Pit Road.
Gorge View
Location: 35.839090, -81.896722View of Linville Gorge looking north from an overlook at Shortoff Mountain. © Peter Rives, 2008
Chimneys Panorama
Location: 35.877558, -81.888399360-degrees of Pisgah views from atop The Chimneys. © Peter Rives, 1998
The Chimneys
Location: 35.877576, -81.888624A view south from The Chimneys. © Peter Rives, 2008
Sunrise on the Rim
Location: 35.884739, -81.885052Sunrise south of Table Rock in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. © Peter Rives, 2008
Linville River
Location: 35.902370, -81.896784View downriver at the Spence Ridge Trail crossing. © Peter Rives, 2008
Cathedral Falls
Location: 35.897698, -81.900405The tail end of a flip at Cathedral Falls on the Linville River. © Peter Rives,2008
River Ford
Location: 35.810113, -81.904804Crossing the Linvillle River on the Mountains to Sea Trail. © Peter Rives, 2008
Shortoff from the South
Location: 35.820806, -81.899815Shortoff Mountain's south face from the ridge ascent from the Linville River. © Peter Rives, 2008
Island Camp
Location: 35.849266, -81.898356Misty dawn at a leave-no-trace island camp in Linville Gorge. © Peter Rives, 2008
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