Linville Falls by the Erwins View Trail

The walk starts at the Linville Falls parking area, at the end of the spur road that leaves the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316.4. The visitor center that stood here was destroyed by Hurricane Helene; the trails start from its site. Cross the Linville River on the footbridge and follow the Erwins View Trail. A side path at half a mile leads down to the first overlook, beside the upper falls. The trail then climbs steeply to Chimney View, the first place from which the lower falls can be seen, and on to Gorge View and Erwins View, which looks down the gorge and back to the falls. Return the same way.

It is 2.2 miles (3.6 km) round trip with 450 feet (138 m) of climbing; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: a broad path, moderate at first and steep in its upper half.

Swimming in the river and climbing on the rocks are dangerous and are not allowed: people have died at these falls. Keep to the overlooks.

The Parkway is still closed south of Linville Falls, so come from the north or by US 221. There is no entrance fee, and there are portable toilets only. On the other side of the river the trail down to the foot of the falls remains closed; the Plunge Basin overlook is open.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.