Catawba Falls — Upper Falls Staircase
A 100-foot cascading lower waterfall and a 50-foot free-falling upper waterfall, connected by a 580-step staircase and observation tower built in 2024. The trail follows the Catawba River past the ruins of an early 1900s hydroelectric dam that most hikers walk right past.
The lower Catawba Falls trail was always popular. The upper falls were inaccessible until 2024 when a massive staircase and observation tower opened. Most visitors who knew the old trail haven't been back to see the new access. The 580-step climb filters out casual walkers and rewards with a 50-foot freefall waterfall at the top and dam ruins along the river that tell a forgotten industrial story.
From Old Fort, take Catawba River Road south for 3 miles to the trailhead parking area. The lot fills on weekends — arrive before 9am. Well-maintained USFS trail follows the Catawba River to the lower falls (0.8 miles), then the staircase climbs to the upper falls. USFS Pisgah land. No fee currently.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
- ☐ 1-2L water (no refill sources)
- ☐ Trail snacks / energy bars
- ☐ Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- ☐ First aid kit basics
- ☐ Map or downloaded trail (no cell service expected)
- ☐ Layers — mountain weather changes fast
The Catawba River carved two waterfalls into the mountains east of Asheville. The lower falls — a 100-foot cascade visible from a short trail — have been a local hiking destination for decades. The upper falls were effectively inaccessible until a steel staircase and observation tower opened in 2024, adding 580 steps and a new perspective to a trail that veteran hikers thought they knew.
The staircase itself is an engineering project worth seeing — steel switchbacks climbing the gorge wall through rhododendron and hemlock. At the top, the upper Catawba Falls drops 50 feet in a clean freefall that catches morning light through a gap in the canopy. The observation tower offers a view down the gorge that compresses both falls into a single frame.
What most hikers miss entirely: the ruins of an early 1900s hydroelectric dam sit along the river between the trailhead and the lower falls. Stone walls and metal fixtures mark where the Catawba River was once harnessed for power. The forest has reclaimed most of the structure, but the foundations remain visible to anyone who looks beyond the trail edge.
Sources
- USFS — Pisgah National Forest — Catawba Falls trail information
- Explore Asheville — waterfall trail guides