The Linville Falls In North Carolina Will Soon Be Surrounded By Beautiful Fall Colors
The mountains in Western North Carolina are a favorite spot for natives and visitors alike each fall for the best leaf peeping available in the South. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway is an annual rite of passage from summer into fall for many and a stop at the most popular waterfall on the parkway is also a must.
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If you've never visited Linville Falls in the peak of the autumn transformation, then here's a peek at what you have to look forward to:
The complex includes a small visitor center with facilities and trail information. It's here that your journey to the falls begins.
There are four major overlooks that dish up spellbinding views of the waterfalls and fall colors. Usually, the peak viewing times for seeing the falls surrounded by the splendor of autumn occur beginning in mid-October.
From the visitor center you'll cross over the Linville River, the very source of the water that flows over the 150-foot waterfall at the start of the Linville Gorge.
A total of three miles of trails meander to the four overlooks and carry visitors through a virgin hemlock forest with a mixed canopy of colors from oak, hickory, and birch trees.
Linville Falls has the highest capacity of any waterfall in this region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After spilling over the waterfall, it flows downstream for another 16.9 miles and into Lake James.
After visiting the overlooks located on the rim of the gorge, double back and head in the opposite direction for a ground-zero view of the action.
It's a bit of a hike to get down to the base of the falls but worth every step — especially in the fall with cooler temps and a more colorful landscape.
Things to know before you go: Weekends are very crowded at Linville Falls. To avoid the biggest crowds, go during the week. Wear hiking or walking shoes, not sandals, and bring plenty of water. Be sure to use the facilities at the Visitor Center before embarking on this hike; no other facilities are available at the site. For more information about the trails, see this link from the National Park Service and for information about the Linville Falls Visitor Center, see this link.
Robin Jarvis is a travel and entertainment writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She spent more than two decades living on the coast in South Carolina and currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina - although she still makes it back to see family in South Carolina quite often. When she's not working, she loves to hike, kayak, and check out new adventures. Get in touch at [email protected]
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