HIke to Catawba Falls

Join us for a “moderate” hike to beautiful Catawba Falls! Catawba Falls is relatively close to Asheville (25 miles away near Old Fort) and offers stunning beauty thanks to a series of cascades that, together, are 100 feet tall. The U.S. Forest Service recently has made the moderate trail even more enjoyable by adding two new footbridges so that you no longer have to rock hop across the river to enjoy the falls. Since Helene the trail and stairs are in good shape on the main loop. The only inaccessible spot are the stairs to the upper falls overlook.

The hike is a 3.5 mile round trip loop with an elevation gain of 485 feet to the falls and about 100 more feet after that. The trail follows what was once a wagon route from Old Fort to Asheville. There are several stone foundation ruins from the early 1900s along this trail. As you pass through the hardwood forest, the trail stays close to the water the whole way, so the sound of the water varies from a light gurgling to a loud rush, and it’s always a nice part of the hike.

Be sure to bring lunch, at least a liter of water, and rain gear (just in case). We will learn a bit about the forest here as well as the geology of NC and how it has produced so many waterfalls!!

Please contact Ed Maggart at [edmaggart@gmail.com](mailto:edmaggart@gmail.com) or text at 828-713-0541 to sign up and get more details. Hikers will rendezvous at the 151 Smokey Park Highway Shopping Center in the parking area behind Chick - Fil - A at 9:00 am on Wednesday September 10th. We will sort out carpooling for those who want to carpool. We should be at the trailhead by 10:00 a.m. and will finish the hike around 2:00- 2:30 and return to Asheville. No dogs on this one please.