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| Trail Name
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Catawba Falls Trail
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| Park
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Pisgah NF
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| Nearest City
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Old Fort
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| State
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North Carolina
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| Trail Marking
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Yellow Blaze
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| Trail Use/Features
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| Difficulty Rating
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Easy
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| Hiking Time
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1.5 hrs0.0938 Days <br />90 Min <br />
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Distance:
round-trip/trail only
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3 mi4.828 km <br /> / 1.4 mi2.253 km <br />
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| Trail Type
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In-and-Out
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| Climb/Descent Elevation
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495495 Feet <br />150.876 Meters <br /> /
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| High Point
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1,914 ft638 Yards <br />583.387 Meters <br />
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| Parking
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35° 36' 48.00" N, 82° 13' 51.09" W
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| Trailhead
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35° 36' 48.00" N, 82° 13' 51.09" W
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| Nearest Medical
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Old Fort, NC
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| Trip Reports
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Click Here
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Trail Overview
Short in-out hike along an improved trail to 100-foot tall Catawba Falls
How to get there
From Johnson City, TN
- Head south on I-26 towards Asheville.
- Merge onto I-240 East/US-70 East.
- Continue onto I-40 East toward Statesville.
- Take Exit 73 (Old Fort).
- From the exit ramp, make a sharp right turn onto Catawba River Road.
- Follow the road to its end after three miles.
- Park at new USFS lot.
Address for map systems: 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762
Route Description
The falls are reached by a steady uphill walk following the Catawba River. The hike time is roughly half hour each way with another half hour to enjoy the waterfall. There is one tricky stream crossing (0.9 mi) on stepping stones which can be more difficult have heavy rains.
| Miles
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Catawba Falls Hike
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Elevation
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| 0.00
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Parking Area
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1,594 feet
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| 0.25
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Bridge over Catawba River (built Summer 2016)
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| 0.90
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Rock hop over Clover Patch Branch
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| 1.20
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Former dam - and its waterfall
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| 1.30
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Road grade ends, trail rock hops across Chestnut Branch
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| 1.40
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Catawba Falls
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1,914 feet
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| 2.8
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Back at Parking Area
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1,594 feet
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There is an upper falls, but do not pursue until the USFS officially improves and extends the trail. Currently, it is a very dangerous climb which has resulted in injury and death. The latest was February 2018. Citizen-Times article. Prior one occurred on June 25, 2017.
Typical Conditions
Well trodden dirt path with a pair of new (2016) bridges. Can be muddy after hard rain.
Very popular trail. An early spring hike saw roughly a 1:1 ratio of dogs and elementary-aged children per adult.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No permit or fee. Parking for roughly 30 vehicles, but can fill on really nice days. Bathrooms and bear-proof trash container at parking area.
After the Hike
Visit Kilwin's Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream (116 W State St, Black Mountain, NC) for refreshment afterwards.
Misc. Information
Located in Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Ranger District. Contact number is (828)652-2144.
Until some better pictures are submitted, an excellent write-up is found at hikewnc.info
Maps
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Photos
