Plunge Basin Trail
At A Glance
0.7 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 0.7 
Steepness: Climbs Moderately
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Other Map ID: BRP MP 316.4
Hikes That Use This Trail: Linville Falls - Plunge Basin
Description
From the visitor center, this trail starts out fairly smooth through a forest of very large hemlocks and white pines to the junction with the Plunge Basin overlook split. The trail to the overlook is downhill and has some obstacles, but is well worth the view. This is a popular spot for photographing the falls. Standing on top of the cliffs above the falls, you have a great view of the pool at the base of the falls and the falls themselves, and the overlooks across the gorge. Past the split, the trail descends, sometimes on steep stairs, below rock cliffs and switches back to end up at the basin itself. This is a magnificent view from the base of the falls. Swimming is not allowed!
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Linville Falls area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Linville Falls trails list page.
This trail also crosses into these trailhead areas:
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
Map Information
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About the Map
Copyright
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Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Plunge Basin
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.72 mi
Plunge Basin Overlook Spur
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.15 mi
Total Calculated Length: 0.86 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
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Ratings
Average Rating: 4.0 (rated 1 times)
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[Site Admin] Jordan M. said: Swimming is technically not allowed in any Blue Ridge Parkway waters, including this stretch of the Linville River, but I'm not surprised it wasn't really being enforced. However, you will likely be ticketed if you get caught, so just keep that in mind.
Lee Vandenberg said: Swimming is definitely allowed and if it's not then of the dozens of times I have been there there was nobody to enforce said rule. The basin usually has lots of people swimming in it.