The Linville Gorge Wildeness lies on either side of the Linville River, encompassing the river bottoms and steep slopes, cliffs, and mountaintops on either side. Averaging 1,400' deep, the Gorge is rugged terrain. Within its nearly 12,000 acres, forests of hardwoods and pines contain an array of wildlife not uncommon to the middle elevations of the Appalachian mountains. Fire has played a great role in the forest community here recently, with much of the gorge having burned within the last 10 years. Before that, fires were suppressed for almost 50 years - the recent burns have enabled the fire-dependent species - wildflowers such as asters and trees such as Pitch and Table Mountain Pines - to begin a new cycle of growth.
Hiking trails in the Gorge generally start along one of two long, gravel forest service roads on either rim. Hikes into the gorge tend to climb or descend this distance and those within the gorge have to contend with crossings of the river itself, making most hiking in the area strenuous. However, several easier hikes lie along the rim and afford spectacular views of the river far below. Linville Falls sits at the head of the gorge (and has its own trailhead)
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
