Cathedral Falls
Burke County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Burke County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Wilderness trails to a view across the river
- The walk
- About 4 miles return
- Ground & access
- Difficult. Steep wilderness trails that are not blazed, a rough gravel access road, and a short scramble to the riverbank.
From Morganton take NC 181 north about 5 miles, turn left on Frank Whisnant Road, bear right on NC 126 west for 9.8 miles, then make a sharp right on Old NC 105 (Kistler Memorial Highway). Continue 10.4 miles on this steep, rough gravel road to the Conley Cove trailhead on the right. Conley Cove Trail (#229) descends steeply 1.4 miles into Linville Gorge to Linville Gorge Trail (#231). Turn left and hike about 0.6 miles. A short scramble path leads down to the river across from Cathedral Falls, a 50 foot waterfall on a tributary entering from the far bank. Return the same way with a steep climb out.
Plan your visit
Conley Cove trailhead on Kistler Memorial Highway, Conley Cove Trail and Linville Gorge Trail to the river view of Cathedral Falls
Waterfall Hero gives a 4.0 mile round trip: 1.4 miles down Conley Cove Trail, about 0.6 miles on Linville Gorge Trail, then a short scramble to the river.
Difficult. Steep wilderness trails that are not blazed, a rough gravel access road, and a short scramble to the riverbank.
Where to start
Conley Cove trailhead pulloff on Kistler Memorial Highway. Published trailhead coordinates: 35.89018, -81.90623.
Timing & water
Kistler Memorial Highway is gravel and rough. Wilderness trails are unmarked.
Before you go
No fee is mentioned. Linville Gorge Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest. Camping restrictions apply in the wilderness.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Laurel Leap FallsMcDowell County, NC1.5 miW
- Mossy Ledge FallsBurke County, NC1.8 miE
- Mossy Chute FallsBurke County, NC2.6 miE
- Gingercake Creek FallsBurke County, NC2.7 miNE
- Brushy Ridge FallsWilderness trails to a river-bend campsite view; difficultBurke County, NC2.7 miNW
- Buck Creek FallsBurke County, NC2.8 miE
- Orange Rock FallsBurke County, NC2.9 miE
- Steels Creek FallsNational forest trail; creek crossing and steep scramble to the viewBurke County, NC3.1 miNE
- Mill FallsMcDowell County, NC3.2 miNW