Hike Catawba Falls — Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina

What to bring

Day-hike essentials for this trail. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

LOWA Renegade EVO GTX MidGORE-TEX, 3 widths, resolableCheck price on Amazon →

Hydro Flask Wide Mouth 32ozinsulated, durableCheck price on Amazon →

Osprey Talon 22ventilated back, pole carryCheck price on Amazon →

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .7day-hike specific, waterproofCheck price on Amazon →

Black Diamond Spot 400-Rrechargeable, comfortableCheck price on Amazon →

What to Expect

Catawba Falls is a 100-foot cascading waterfall at the end of a 1.75-mile trail from Old Fort — which means you’re 3 miles off I-40 and yet somehow standing in front of one of the taller waterfalls in western North Carolina. That proximity to the interstate makes this one of the most accessible big waterfalls in the state, and the trail improvements over the past few years (new bridges, improved drainage) have turned what used to be a muddy scramble into a well-maintained path.

The Lower Catawba Falls is the main destination — a broad cascade dropping roughly 100 feet over multiple tiers into a wide pool. There’s a swimming hole at the base that’s popular in summer and the pool is surrounded by enough flat rock to set up lunch. The Upper Falls, accessible via a side trail that’s more scramble than hike, adds another 150 feet of falls if you want to push the mileage. The upper section is rougher and involves some steep terrain; it’s worth doing once if you’re comfortable on uneven ground.

The trail follows the Catawba River upstream through second-growth forest. The bridges cross the river multiple times and keep your feet dry, which was historically not the case here. Wildflowers are good in April. The terrain is relatively gentle except for the last quarter mile approach to the lower falls where the grade picks up. On weekday mornings you might have this nearly to yourself despite the easy access.

Difficulty

Moderate. The 3.5-mile round trip to the Lower Falls has 800 feet of gain spread fairly evenly. The trail is well-maintained and the creek crossings have bridges. If you add the Upper Falls scramble, the difficulty bumps up — that section involves loose rock and no maintained trail. Budget an extra 30-45 minutes and appropriate footwear for the upper route.

Best Time to Go

Spring has the best water volume and the wildflowers in the lower forest are worth the trip in late March and April. Summer draws swimmers to the pool at the base, and weekends get crowded by early morning. Fall color is decent though the tunnel of forest limits long views. Winter is quiet and the falls can partially freeze in cold snaps, which is visually striking but requires microspikes on the upper approach.

Before You Go

The trailhead is off Old Fort Road from the town of Old Fort, NC — take I-40 Exit 73 and follow signs. The parking area is free and has been expanded; it still fills on summer weekends by 9 AM. Pit toilets at the trailhead. No fee required. Old Fort has a gas station and a couple of restaurants if you need food before or after. Cell service is minimal in the gorge. About 35 miles east of Asheville — the easiest big-waterfall hike in the region for people coming from Charlotte or the eastern Piedmont.

Best Hiking Season

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov