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. Linville Falls in North Carolina only gets better been the leaves start to change.
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 (we will give you a hint this area gives some of the best views of North Carolina in the fall):
The complex includes a small visitor center with facilities and trail information. It's here that your journey to the falls begins. The trails are clearly marked and if you are feeling a bit more adventurous head on the red trail to get to the base of Linville Falls and to get one of the closest overlooks of the plunge into the pool below.
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Once you are done with the harder trails the rest are a piece of cake. 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. The Fall foliage in North Carolina truly is second to none.
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. Make sure to stop on the bridge for a moment to soak in the incredible colors surrounding this pristine river.
A total of four and a half 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.
Each overlook offers different views and we highly encourage you to see them all to get the full scope of the gorge and see this lovely waterfall as many times as you can.
One of the overlooks includes an overlook that's only steps from the narrow channel at the top of the falls. The powerful churning and roar of the falls can be heard in the cove below and is an impressive sight all by itself.
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 catching anything you might have missed along the way. Make sure to check the map so you don't miss a single overlook.
Also located at the top of the waterfall is a great view of a smaller but still beautiful twin waterfall. This is the only place you will be able to see this waterfall and it shouldn't be missed when you visit. If you didn't start with the harder trail you can hop on that trail past the visitors center. 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 The Blue Ridge Parkway page from the National Park Service. If you need a map for all the different overlooks then make sure you check out the AllTrails app to get you where you need to go. Feel free to check out this Adventuring in the Moment video to see what all the overlooks are like and how to get there.
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