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A difficult trail from Linville River climbing up to the Shortoff Trail.


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Map Key

1.5

Miles

2.4

KM

Point to Point

2,917' 889 m

High

1,458' 444 m

Low

1,476' 450 m

Up

101' 31 m

Down

20%

Avg Grade (11°)

79%

Max Grade (38°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Hunting and fishing are allowed, but permits are required. Camping is permitted in the gorge, but permits are required from May 1 through October 31.

Description

This is an awesome trail, although it is not for individuals lacking grit or tenacity. You'll earn this trail; however, it is completely doable for people that put their head down and are committed to the goal. It's not too long, though it seems lengthy during the climbs. Pay attention! The trail is difficult at times to spot. No heads down on your iPhone. Be smart and know your limits. Enjoy the views which are intermittently spaced and the reward of the river plunge (going down) or the sense of accomplishment (going up).

Chimbric Ridge Trail is a rugged trail that ascends from the Linville River (and the Linville Gorge Trail alongside it) about 1,300 feet towards the Shortoff Mountain Trail. Like a lot of the trails towards the western side of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Loop, it's considered primitive and may be difficult to traverse, especially in inclement weather.

Flora & Fauna

Local flora - rhododendron, sand mrtyle, red chokeberry, azalea, turkey beard, bristly locust, yellow root, silverbell, orchids, ninebark, and wild indigo.

Local fauna - white-tail deer, black bears, squirrel, raccoon, grouse, turkey, vultures, owls, hawks, as well as brown and rainbow trout. There are also copperheads and timber rattlesnakes.

Contacts

Shared By:

Rick McElrath with improvements by Mike D

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 6 votes

#10798

Overall
  4.2 from 6 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#402

in North Carolina

#10,798

Overall
24 Views Last Month
1,425 Since Oct 21, 2017
Very Difficult Very Difficult

0%
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33%
67%

Photos

Shortoff
Mar 9, 2021 near Spruce…, NC
Linville River Wet Crossing
Mar 9, 2021 near Spruce…, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 8, 2022
Ryan Bowman
Took the trail down to the river. 1.5mi
Sep 1, 2019
Phil C
Extremely steep at times, but honestly more difficult going down than going up. 1.5mi — 2h 30m
Jun 15, 2019
Phil York
Great hike. Z is a trooper. Beautiful weather, low humidity.
Sep 20, 2018
Chris Knight
Y
Nov 25, 2017
Matthew T
Easily the hardest trail we have gone up to date 1.5mi — 3h 00m
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