Hiking in North Carolina doles out many rewards and one of them is finding hauntingly beautiful abandoned places along the trail. Come along with us as we explore the Catawba Falls Trail, which leads you straight to an abandoned dam in North Carolina as well as the ruins of an old building associated with the 1920s dam. The trail begins near Old Fort and is nearly 1.2 miles each way.

Wander into the forest and you'll soon pass by the old dam. In the hundred or so years since it was built, the dam has filled in considerably with sediment and rocks.
AllTrails/Amanda Chartier
Today, instead of the water getting stopped by the hand-made stone wall, it pours through fissures in the structure and over the top of the dam as the Catawba River moves on down the stream.
AllTrails/Kirk Larrabee
Also found along the trail is an abandoned old stone building associated with the 1920s power plant.
AllTrails/Nancy Christensen

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As of now, it's open to foot exploration. But as with any old ruins, please be careful and watch your footing. And refrain from the temptation to climb on the structure.
Flickr/apascuito
The U.S. Forest Service has built two steel bridges along the Catawba Falls Trail making it much easier to traverse. But you still may need to cross a couple of small water crossings so consider wearing appropriate footwear.
Beyond the power plant ruins it's about another 1.2 miles to see the spectacular lower Catawba Falls.
AllTrails/katie scheller
If you've just come to explore the dam, then consider sticking with the trail for its entirety to see this 100-foot waterfall.
AllTrails/Julia Marie

You’ll be so glad you did! Find out a little more about the old hydropower plant and this abandoned dam in North Carolina on the website of the U.S. Forest Service. And, if you’re curious to see this beautiful North Carolina waterfall in action, check out this lovely YouTube video, courtesy of Exploring Asheville:

What are some of your all-time favorite hikes in North Carolina? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! For some suggestions, check out our list of hikes in North Carolina to add to your bucket list.

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Beth C. | February 02, 2023

What are some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina?

North Carolina is a hiker's paradise, boasting lofty mountain peaks and sprawling shorelines alike. No matter what kind of landscape you prefer, you're bound to find the perfect hiking trail in North Carolina. Below is a list of some of our favorite hiking trails in North Carolina, and they're ideal for all ages!

  • Triple Falls Trail - near Cedar Mountain
  • Max Patch Trail - near Hot Springs
  • Deep Creek Loop Trail - near Bryson City
  • Piedmont Trail - Greensboro
  • Craggy Pinnacle Trail - near Barnardsville
  • Old Field Bluff Trail - Chapel Hill
  • Cascades Trail - near West Jefferson
  • Mouse Creek Falls via Big Creek Trail - near Waynesville
  • Pink Beds Trail - near Brevard
  • Cape Fear River Trail - Fayetteville

 

What are North Carolina's top natural wonders?

There's nothing more magical than exploring the great outdoors and discovering some truly magnificent natural wonders. North Carolina has tons of them! Below is a list of the top natural wonders in North Carolina:

  • Jockey's Ridge
  • Linville Gorge and Linville Falls
  • Whitewater Falls
  • The Outer Banks
  • Pilot Mountain
  • Stone Mountain
  • Looking Glass Rock
  • Linville Caverns
  • New River
  • Mt. Mitchell -- the tallest mountain in North Carolina!
  • Chimney Rock
  • French Broad River
  • Lake Mattamuskeet
  • Hanging Rock
  • Sliding Rock

 

Learn more about why exploring each of these natural wonders in North Carolina is an unforgettable experience.

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