Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
Linville Gorge is located in North Carolina in Pisgah National Forest. It has been called "The Grand Canyon of North Carolina" because of the steep ridges that drop about 1,400 feet to the Linville River. The wilderness area comprises 11,786 acres, with much of it old-growth forest.
Hiking in the gorge is challenging because of the terrain and because the trails are not the improved or well-marked.
Rock climbing is another popular activity in the gorge, but it is restricted from a few areas due to nesting Peregrine Falcons.
Information about Linville Gorge trails: http://www.linvillegorge.net/
Travel time from Oak Ridge is just under 4 hours.
These are generalized directions to the western section of the gorge. Consult a map to determine specific directions to a trailhead. From the Knoxville area, take I-40 East to I-81 East. At Exit 57A, go north on I-26 to Johnson City. Exit at U.S. 321 and go east to Elizabethton. There, U.S. 321 will turn right and join U.S. 19E. Continue on U.S. 19E to North Carolina. At Elk Park, NC, continue south on State Road 194. Later, SR 194 will join with US 221. Continue on US 221 South after SR 194 turns west.
At the town of Linville Falls, NC, take State Road 183 to Old State Road 105, Kistler Memorial Highway. Several trailheads are accessible from Kistler Highway, but it is a gravel road and is reportedly rough in places.