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Linville Gorge
Wilderness Area
The Linville Gorge
Wilderness Area is located in
the Western North
Carolina Mountains
southeast of Boone. A
part of the Pisgah
National Forest,
Linville Gorge is
renowned for its 10,975
acres of rugged terrain,
steep trails, dense
forests and impressive
rock cliffs. Formed by
the
Linville River
with Jonas Ridge on the
east and Linville
Mountain on the west,
Linville Gorge averages
a 1,400 foot drop from
rim to river. The
distinctive rock
formations located on
Jonas Ridge include
Sitting Bear, Hawksbill,
Table Rock, and the
Chimneys entice rock
climbers from around the
world. Elevations range from
1,300 feet on the
Linville River to 4,120
feet on Gingercake
Mountain.
Partly due to its dense
and impassable nature,
Linville Gorge was
sparred from intense
logging in the 1900s and
contains some of the
High Country's only
remaining virgin forests
of hardwood/pine. Five
species of rare plants
and other plant life,
including sand myrtle,
red chokeberry, azalea,
turkey beard, bristly
locust, yellow root,
silverbell, orchids,
ninebark, and wild
indigo, create the
exquisite vegetation in
the Linville Gorge
Federal Wilderness Area.
Animal species include
deer, bear, squirrel,
raccoon, grouse, turkey,
brown and rainbow trout
and hawks. Hunting and
fishing in the gorge
require permits, as does
camping permitted from May 1
through October 31.
Hunting and fishing are
allowed but permits are
required. Hikers and
adventurers are highly
advised to let a ranger
know their plans and to
take a detailed map of
the area.
 For the serious hiker,
Linville Gorge offers a
wide variety of trails
descending from both rims of
the gorge and, along the
eastern rim, trails
traverse the prominent
rock formations. Known
as the "Grand Canyon of
North Carolina," the
Gorge offers a wonderful
challenge for serious
hikers. Linville Gorge
has even been a training
ground for US Marines
and US Army Rangers. The
forests are filled with
hemlock, white pine,
oak, hickory and birch
trees and wildflowers
dot the trails in the
spring and summer. If
you want to take in the
beauty of the Gorge
without the intense
hike, take the western
rim access road, Kistler
Memorial Highway/NC
1238, and drive five
miles south of Linville
Falls to a parking lot.
A short walk takes you
to Wiseman's View which
overlooks the southern
end of Linville Gorge.
There are 39 miles of
trails in all and seven
trails originate off the
west rim of Linville
Mountain. Most of the
west rim trails lead
down to the Linville
River and connect with
the Linville Gorge
Trail. Cabin Trail drops
nearly 1000 feet in less
than a mile on the west
rim and is open
seasonally. There are
also 30 to 40-mile
rugged mountain biking
opportunities around the
gorge on Kistler
Memorial Highway/NC
1238. From the east rim
of the gorge, trails
originate off of Jonas
Ridge. Three trails lead
to Sitting Bear,
Hawksbill and Table Rock
respectively and are
located off FR 210 off
of NC 181, south of the
town of Jonas Ridge.
Devil's Hole Trail
connects with Linville
Gorge Trail from the
east rim off of
Gingercake Acres Road.
Shortoff Mountain Trail,
part of the
Mountains-to-Sea trail,
and Brushy Ridge Trail
are accessed off Old
Gingercake Road/ SR
1264. To access the
Table Rock summit trail,
take Table Rock Road/ NC
1265 off of NC 181, just
south of Gingercake Road
follow NC 1265 for 16
miles.
A and W Rentals has a
wide selection of
NC
Mountain Cabin Rentals to
choose from. Contact us
today to find your
Linville Gorge Vacation
Rental.
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We invite you to view
all of our rental
properties and contact
us by phone at
828.898.9188,
e-mail us, or us or
online request form
to ask questions or
request reservations. |
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