Catawba Falls has been reopened after two years! (Old Fort,NC.)

I took the Ridge Trail to the top of Catawba Falls and went down the stairs on the River Trail to make a loop of 3.71 miles with 827 feet of elevation gain. I noticed remarkable trail improvements since my last visit in 2019, the stairs allow you to really take in every level of the waterfall much more safely. I commend the work of the trail engineers and would recommend this as a family friendly hike. I drove just down the road to Curtis Creek Campground to see Hickory Branch Falls which I hadn’t seen in 6 years, although much less impressive than Catawba it still has great charm in a beautiful setting and is only 8 tenths of a mile to see but I continued on to the trail connection with Lead Mine Gap Trail up the mountain for a total of 4.38 miles and 1183 feet of elevation gain. I even stumbled on a copperhead snake near the trailhead at the campground.

[@ervinslens]

Such a lovely place, this entire area looks amazing! Soothing and relaxing!!

[@doarelectroni]

Thank you my friend!

[@luckyotter623]

Hi! I'm the person who recognized you this morning on trail! (I was already subscribing). I have never been to Catawba falls until today - I heard getting up to the upper falls was really dangerous before, and people got injured and in one case was killed, so building the stairs was a good idea. I did the loop the opposite direction. The ridge trail doesn't look that good right now but I think over time it will start looking more a part of the natural landscape, don't you? I'll definitely be back! Thanks for posting!

[@doarelectroni]

Yes, I think that the stairs do provide more accessibility to all the people who visit the popular Catawba Falls in a much more safe environment. There was some bad press before with some injuries and worse so I applaud the construction crews in building the stairs. I thought it was marvelous to see all the different levels of the waterfall that way. The Ridge Trail was a fun little hike for me but I look forward to see the completed project near the upper falls. Thanks for commenting and it was nice to meet a subscriber on the trail today. Happy trails and be safe!

[@HankOutdoors8052]

That's a great video bro I'm going to have to go up there and see the new waterfall

[@doarelectroni]

Go early cause it gets crowded.

[@mikemcwilliams7801]

it would be great of youtube creators would say where the video was filmed at. i have no idea where catawba is

[@doarelectroni]

It’s located in Old Fort,NC.

[@dirthimself3265]

Great coverage of this spot, nice to hear it's open again

[@doarelectroni]

Thank you! Yeah you should check it out, it’s not too far from you.

[@dirthimself3265]

@@doarelectroni oh yeah been there several times