Visit Linville Gorge, The Grand Canyon Of North Carolina, To See The Beautiful Changing Leaves This Fall
By Michelle|Published November 04, 2019
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
Many of the states in the northeast have already seen their autumn season come and go. Luckily, we still seem to be in the thick of it! That’s just one reason we’re lucky to be in North Carolina. Another is the absolutely stunning natural beauty surrounding us. While some folks believe that the most impressive views can only be seen out west, we’d argue that the Tar Heel State competes in just about every way. Including our very own version of the Grand Canyon.
The Linville Gorge Wilderness in Marion is just waiting to be explored. It’s comprised of nearly 12,000 acres of land surrounding the Linville River. It’s just inside the Pisgah National Forest.
The Linville River running through this rugged, forested area makes for a breathtaking sight that’s even more stunning in the fall. It’s clear why we all consider this to be the true Grand Canyon of the East.
The gorge formed as the Linville River flowed from its source high atop Grandfather Mountain. Over the course of centuries, the river has carved out the walls which now enclose the river for about 12 miles.
We know what sits in the valley, but what about those breathtaking mountains? Easy! Linville Mountain sits on the west and Jonas Ridge is on the east. Adding to the impressive landscape are the numerous rock formations that come out of each mountain.
There are a lot of ways to explore and discover the area. Many are challenging, but if you’re up for a challenge you’ll get some of the most impressive views of any place in the state.
If you’d like to start out fairly simply, we recommend the hike leading to Table Rock. The trail is just over one mile. The out and back trail can be found near Morganton. While the route is short, it does go up to the summit so be prepared for some elevation gain.
