Lake James
Features of Linville Gorge Rim near Lake James
By Harris Realty

Linville Gorge is one of the most rugged and scenic gorges in the Eastern USA.  It is frequently referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”  From the gorge’s rim, there is an awesome view of the Linville River 2,000 feet below and a sneak peak of what the area looked like before Lake James and beautiful Lake James real estate was constructed.  Between the hidden alcoves of lakefront Lake James and Mt. Mitchell, the rural McDowell County land stretches through some fascinating territory. 

To access the eastern rim from Marion NC real estate, take US 221 north to NC 183 at Linville Falls. Turn right and continue to make a right on NC 181.  Go three miles and make a right onto FR 210 and continue through Gingercake Acres subdivision.  To access the eastern rim from Lake James, from Marion real estate, take US 70 east to Nebo.  Then take 126 across Lake James and continue 8 miles.  Turn left on the gravel NC 1238, which is the Kistler Memorial Highway.

In 1964, Linville Gorge became one of the East’s first designated wilderness areas.   Extending over 12,000 acres, the Linville Gorge Wilderness is laced with trails winding through thickets of mountain laurel during the warmer months of the year.  The trails descend into the depths of Linville Gorge, which is located on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. 

The fascinating rock formations and features along the rim of Linville Gorge are recreational playgrounds in their own right.  The eastern rim features the rock formations of Jonas Ridge including Sitting Bear, Hawksbill, Shortoff Mountain, Table Rock, and the Chimneys.  Linville Mountain is on the western rim.  At the top of the Gorge just off the Blue Ridge Parkway is Linville Falls, a spectacular three-tiered waterfall plunging into the wilderness area.

The Linville Gorge shelters stretches of virgin forest in this section of the Pisgah National Forest.  Because there is a wide range of moisture present along the Gorge walls, there is variable topography, and there are other rare physical factors, an unusual variety of plants thrive in the area.  The Gorge is home to many rare and endangered plant species along with an assortment of wild game and non-game species. 

Recreation in the wild and isolated terrain includes primitive camping, strenuous hiking, back packing, rock-climbing, and fishing for native trout and smallmouth bass.  Thirty-nine miles of trails, some steep and meandering through dense forest, provide elaborate adventures for experienced hikers.   Trails are signed at trailheads but are not signed or blazed inside the Wilderness; it is imperative to be able to read a topographical map and use a compass. 

The Jonas Ridge features offer a special challenge.  Only qualified rock climbers experienced in safe climbing techniques should investigate its beauty.  The northern and southern portions of the rim are less traveled—south of the Conley Cove Trail in the western half and south of the Chimneys in the east.  The northern portion around Brushy Ridge is a challenge even for the hearty.  The entire Linville Gorge turned out to be too much of a challenge for its namesake, explorer William Linville and his sons who were all scalped by Indians in the Gorge in 1766.