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Catawba Falls Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (23)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. Pisgah National Forest
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“A great hike to base of Catawba Falls. ”

Bike -n-Hike
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1.2

Miles

1.9

KM

Point to Point

1,942' 592 m

High

1,592' 485 m

Low

357' 109 m

Up

8' 2 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Waterfall

This trail is temporarily closed, as the Forest Service is completing major improvements over the next year. Learn more about the closure at fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/ne…

Description

This is a very popular trail that was recently improved. The trail is now a flat, gravel path that is generally 5-feet wide allowing for lots of two-directional traffic. The trail crosses the Catawba River twice across large steel bridges. There is only one wet crossing, which is about two-thirds of the way up the trail.

Generally the trail has a gentle to moderately steep grade and should be easy for most people. The grade increases the last two-thirds of the trail, but is still easy to moderate and the width of the trail stays the same. The last 200 feet of the trail becomes a narrow rocky scramble, but it's worth it to see Upper Catawba Falls. Past this point, there is an optional difficult climb at end of trail to top of falls that uses ropes and requires scrambling.

There are two other waterfalls along the trail but lots of great views of the Catawba River.

A pit-toilet is available at the trailhead if you need it, but here is no water so come prepared.

Despite the wide, packed dirt trail it is not suitable for strollers.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest, Pisgah Ranger District

Shared By:

Bike -n-Hike with improvements by Sean Bloom and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 23 votes

#2

in Pisgah National Forest

#251

Overall
  4.5 from 23 votes
5 Star
65%
4 Star
26%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2

in Pisgah National Forest

#13

in North Carolina

#251

Overall
2 Views Last Month
1,249 Since May 17, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate
10%
5%
71%
5%
10%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Upper Catawba Falls - Sean Bloom
Mar 24, 2019 near Black M…, NC
Lower Catawba Falls - Sean Bloom
Mar 24, 2019 near Black M…, NC
Upper Falls pool
Jul 10, 2025 near Black M…, NC

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 55 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 22, 2022
Jennifer Marquardt
A beautiful day for a hike with my dad! 2.5mi
Feb 5, 2022
Dalana Parker
Sep 26, 2021
N Y
1h 26m
Jul 21, 2021
Eric Borner
Jun 6, 2021
Dave Wiebking
On way back from AVL. Very popular hike. — 12h 34m
Mar 24, 2021
Noman Waheed
Jan 13, 2021
Jamil Zaidan
Oct 20, 2020
Barbara Barrocas

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