North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest is comprised of more than 500,000 acres and includes such natural wonders and attractions as the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, Black Balsam Knob and Cold Mountain. But the forest also includes non-contiguous tracts that surround Asheville and Brevard, and portions of the valley containing the French Broad River. Over near Black Mountain, there’s a trail that travels under the forest canopy into a moss-covered paradise along a beautiful small river covered with boulders.
The Catawba Falls Trail is 1.2 miles long (each way) and traverses through the valley floor flirting with the beautiful Catawba River for most of the distance.
AllTrails/Dan Grohowski
Along the trail, you can expect to enjoy small cascade after cascade found within the moss-covered, boulder-strewn river, encountering as many as three large falls along the way.
AllTrails/Robin Yost
A not-so-slight elevation gain of just over 150 feet makes it worthwhile to bring along the hiking sticks, if you have them.
AllTrails/D&J REALI
At the start of the trail, cross a sturdy iron bridge and pass by the ruins of a stacked stone structure that was once a powerhouse for a hydroelectric facility built here after the river was dammed in the early 1900s.
AllTrails/Paige Ponzeka
Keep moving and in no time at all you’ll find yourself at the base of the Upper Catawba Falls. At well over 50 feet in height and with stacked and uneven ledges, it’s a favorite spot to perch for photos.
AllTrails/Karsyn Laufenberg
Lower Catawba Falls is equally stunning but less steep. On this short one-mile segment of the Catawba River, the Blue Ridge Escarpment causes the river to drop a dramatic 600 feet in under a mile.
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The last drop is found just below the old power plant and location of the old dam.
AllTrails/D&J REALI
If hiking in warmer weather, be sure to carve out enough time to take a dip here and cool off!
AllTrails/Lauren Hyser
It’s hard to imagine a world where hiking just wouldn’t be possible for anyone. Thank goodness we don’t have to! Want to learn more about the Catawba Falls Trail? Check it out at AllTrails.com!
AllTrails/Dan Grohowski
AllTrails/Robin Yost
AllTrails/D&J REALI
AllTrails/Paige Ponzeka
AllTrails/Karsyn Laufenberg
BobEdmonson / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
AllTrails/Lauren Hyser
Love chasing waterfalls in North Carolina? Check out the amazing Moore Cove Falls here!
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Address: Catawba Falls Trailhead, 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
