Catawba Falls Trail

Catawba Falls Trail (log in to submit report)
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Located
Trail Marking	Yellow
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Easy
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	1.5 hrs0.0938 Days <br />90 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	1.4 mi2.253 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.0 mi4.828 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Low / High Point	1,419 ft473 Yards <br />432.511 Meters <br /> / 1,914 ft638 Yards <br />583.387 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	495 ft150.876 Meters <br /> / ({{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.) – {{{Elevation Change Direction}}}
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking	35° 36' 47.99" N, 82° 13' 51.10" W Map
Trailhead	35° 36' 47.99" N, 82° 13' 51.10" W Map
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Trail Closure
Currently officially closed (2022). Expected reopening in Spring of 2024. Visit the Forest Service website for latest details.

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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

1. Head south on I-26 towards Asheville.
2. Merge onto I-240 East/US-70 East.
3. Continue onto I-40 East toward Statesville.
4. Take Exit 73 (Old Fort).
5. From the exit ramp, make a sharp right turn onto Catawba River Road.
6. Follow the road to its end after three miles.
7. 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	Catawba Falls Hike	Elevation
0.00	Parking Area	1,594 feet
0.25	Footbridge over Catawba River (built Summer 2016)
0.90	Rock hop over Clover Patch Branch
1.20	Former dam - and its waterfall
1.30	Road grade ends, footbridge over Chestnut Branch (built November 2016)
1.40	Catawba Falls	1,914 feet
2.8	Back at Parking Area	1,594 feet

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

Photos

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  Catawba Falls

• 

  March 2019

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  Cascade on Catawba River

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  Footbridge over Chestnut Branch

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  Former electrical station

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  Footbridge over Catawba River