Hiking Trails
Whiteside Mountain
Level of difficulty: Moderate-to-strenuous, depending on what kind of shape you're in.
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 4.7 miles west on US 64, turn left on Whiteside Mtn. Rd. at brown Whiteside Mountain Trail sign. Continue 1.1 miles passing Wildclat Cliffs Country Club on right, turn left onto gravel parking.
Parking: Adequate. $2 per vehicle U.S. Forest Service fee.
Hiking distance: 2 mile loop along the Eastern Continental Divide to 4,930 ft. and highest vertical drop (750 ft.) in eastern US.
Description: This one is an old-time favorite for visitors and Highlands residents alike. Take the loop trail counter-clockwise-you still end up at the parking lot. Summit is a ridge with many overlooks to the south (with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Escarpment) and to the north and east (view of ridges and mountains overlooking more developed Cashiers area and Whiteside Cove).
Footnote: Various twisting side trails lead to and from adjacent rock outcrop known as the Devil's Courthouse, but the novice hiker might best do this tangent hike with experienced hikers who have been there previously. For wonderful details about this mountain, consult The Mountain at the end of the Trail: A History of Whiteside Mountain, by Robert Zahner, 1994. Available in local bookstores and at the Hudson Library.
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 4.7 miles west on US 64, turn left on Whiteside Mtn. Rd. at brown Whiteside Mountain Trail sign. Continue 1.1 miles passing Wildclat Cliffs Country Club on right, turn left onto gravel parking.
Parking: Adequate. $2 per vehicle U.S. Forest Service fee.
Hiking distance: 2 mile loop along the Eastern Continental Divide to 4,930 ft. and highest vertical drop (750 ft.) in eastern US.
Description: This one is an old-time favorite for visitors and Highlands residents alike. Take the loop trail counter-clockwise-you still end up at the parking lot. Summit is a ridge with many overlooks to the south (with a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Escarpment) and to the north and east (view of ridges and mountains overlooking more developed Cashiers area and Whiteside Cove).
Footnote: Various twisting side trails lead to and from adjacent rock outcrop known as the Devil's Courthouse, but the novice hiker might best do this tangent hike with experienced hikers who have been there previously. For wonderful details about this mountain, consult The Mountain at the end of the Trail: A History of Whiteside Mountain, by Robert Zahner, 1994. Available in local bookstores and at the Hudson Library.
Yellow Mountain
Level of difficulty: Strenuous, with 2,000+ foot elevation gain.
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 2.2 miles passing Chestnut Hill on right. Look for steep path on right with small wooden sign and steps leading to trail. Park on left in gravel.
Parking: Adequate, across the road from trailhead. Park on left in gravel.
Hiking distance: 9.6 miles round trip, 3-5 hours to old stone and wood fire tower at 5,127 ft. elevation.
Description: This longish hike up Cole Mountain, Shortoff Mountain, around Goat Knob and up Yellow Mountain is worth the trip for the view to be had from the old fire tower at the summit. Trail is well marked and maintained, but will test the mettle of the weekend walker.
Footnote: Bring adequate water. Nice collection of wildflowers along the trail, in season.
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 2.2 miles passing Chestnut Hill on right. Look for steep path on right with small wooden sign and steps leading to trail. Park on left in gravel.
Parking: Adequate, across the road from trailhead. Park on left in gravel.
Hiking distance: 9.6 miles round trip, 3-5 hours to old stone and wood fire tower at 5,127 ft. elevation.
Description: This longish hike up Cole Mountain, Shortoff Mountain, around Goat Knob and up Yellow Mountain is worth the trip for the view to be had from the old fire tower at the summit. Trail is well marked and maintained, but will test the mettle of the weekend walker.
Footnote: Bring adequate water. Nice collection of wildflowers along the trail, in season.
Sunset Rock
Level of difficulty: Moderate (less than 300 ft. elevation gain)
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands got 0.5 miles out Horse Cove Road
Parking: Limited free parking adjacent to trailhead, across the road from Highlands Nature Center.
Hiking distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Description: Walk up Sunset Park Road from trailhead to turnaround at the top of this graveled road - overlook with wonderful view of Highlands village is immediately to the right.
Footnote: A narrow trail heading east from the turnaround leads to Sunrise Rock and a good view for Horse Cove. Do not block the road, which is a private driveway.
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands got 0.5 miles out Horse Cove Road
Parking: Limited free parking adjacent to trailhead, across the road from Highlands Nature Center.
Hiking distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Description: Walk up Sunset Park Road from trailhead to turnaround at the top of this graveled road - overlook with wonderful view of Highlands village is immediately to the right.
Footnote: A narrow trail heading east from the turnaround leads to Sunrise Rock and a good view for Horse Cove. Do not block the road, which is a private driveway.
Pagett Poplar
Level of difficulty: Easy
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands, 2.8 miles. Follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to Rich Gap Road on right. Follow graveled Rich Gap 0.1 mile to stairaway to Poplar.
Parking: Plenty along side of road
Hiking distance: Minimal
Description: Stairs on right lead to Pagett Poplar, a huge, centuries-old tulip poplar tree named after Ranger Bob Pagett, who, according to a plaque at the site, saved the tree from timbering in 1966. Adjacent loop trail follows nearby stream and returns to trailhead. Good photo of a very big old-growth tree here.
Footnote: U.S. Forest Service bulletin board across from stairs describe location and activies of CCC Camp No. F-19 during 1934-1939.
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands, 2.8 miles. Follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to Rich Gap Road on right. Follow graveled Rich Gap 0.1 mile to stairaway to Poplar.
Parking: Plenty along side of road
Hiking distance: Minimal
Description: Stairs on right lead to Pagett Poplar, a huge, centuries-old tulip poplar tree named after Ranger Bob Pagett, who, according to a plaque at the site, saved the tree from timbering in 1966. Adjacent loop trail follows nearby stream and returns to trailhead. Good photo of a very big old-growth tree here.
Footnote: U.S. Forest Service bulletin board across from stairs describe location and activies of CCC Camp No. F-19 during 1934-1939.
Slide Rock
Level of difficulty: Easy
Driving distance/directions: From dowtown Highlands, go 5.8 miles and follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear right on Bull Pen (very rough graveled Forest Service road) 1 mile to trailhead on right.
Parking: Adequate on shoulder
Hiking distance: 0.2 miles round trip
Description: Trail leads to top of rock face with view of the Nantahala and Chattahoochee National Forests looking south.
Footnote: Sometimes used as a wedding location.
Driving distance/directions: From dowtown Highlands, go 5.8 miles and follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear right on Bull Pen (very rough graveled Forest Service road) 1 mile to trailhead on right.
Parking: Adequate on shoulder
Hiking distance: 0.2 miles round trip
Description: Trail leads to top of rock face with view of the Nantahala and Chattahoochee National Forests looking south.
Footnote: Sometimes used as a wedding location.
"The Narrows"
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Driving distance/directions: From Highlands, go 5.6 miles, follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear left on Whiteside 0.8 miles to old logging road on right.
Parking: Adequate
Hiking distance: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Description: Follow this "county line road" dividing Jackson from Macon counties to intersection with Chattooga River Trail. Bear left another 0.2 miles, approximately to picnic spots along Chattooga River, at confluence with Norton Mill Creek. Look for iron bridge over creek, repaired by Forest Service since the 2004 hurricanes. The Chattooga at this location squeezes into a natural rock sluice, "The Narrows" before widening out.
Footnote: This is a favorite swimming hole in summer. Do not expect skinny-dipping solitude there.
Driving distance/directions: From Highlands, go 5.6 miles, follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear left on Whiteside 0.8 miles to old logging road on right.
Parking: Adequate
Hiking distance: Approximately 4 miles round trip
Description: Follow this "county line road" dividing Jackson from Macon counties to intersection with Chattooga River Trail. Bear left another 0.2 miles, approximately to picnic spots along Chattooga River, at confluence with Norton Mill Creek. Look for iron bridge over creek, repaired by Forest Service since the 2004 hurricanes. The Chattooga at this location squeezes into a natural rock sluice, "The Narrows" before widening out.
Footnote: This is a favorite swimming hole in summer. Do not expect skinny-dipping solitude there.
Granite City
Level of difficulty: Moderate
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands go 6.6 miles and follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear left on Whiteside 1.2 miles to steep trails on left.
Parking: Limited, on road shoulder
Hiking distance: Minimal
Description: Trail leads to a jumble of large granite outcrops and boulders with many caverns and ledges, a favorite of the young set.
Footnote: Best wear boots and long pants for this one.
Driving distance/directions: From downtown Highlands go 6.6 miles and follow the many twists, turns and hairpin switchbacks of Horse Cove Road down to T-intersection of Bull Pen and Whiteside Cove Roads. Bear left on Whiteside 1.2 miles to steep trails on left.
Parking: Limited, on road shoulder
Hiking distance: Minimal
Description: Trail leads to a jumble of large granite outcrops and boulders with many caverns and ledges, a favorite of the young set.
Footnote: Best wear boots and long pants for this one.
Satulah Mountain
Level of difficulty: Moderate (700 ft. elevation gain)
Driving distance/directions: None
Parking: None
Hiking distance: About 3.5 miles
Description: As there is no dedicated, public parking on the mountain, walk from downtown. Follow Satulah Road (across from the former Nick's Restaurant) to its intersection with Worley Road (0.3 miles). Bear right on road until it turns into graveled lane. Go to end of lane and follow hiking trail at left to summit. Several nice views from granite outcrops and remnant of old cabin. On return, loop back to top of Worley Road for return trip to Highlands.
Footnote: About half this hike is on paved road, skirting multiple private properties, but public hiking access to the top is guaranteed under covenants with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.
Driving distance/directions: None
Parking: None
Hiking distance: About 3.5 miles
Description: As there is no dedicated, public parking on the mountain, walk from downtown. Follow Satulah Road (across from the former Nick's Restaurant) to its intersection with Worley Road (0.3 miles). Bear right on road until it turns into graveled lane. Go to end of lane and follow hiking trail at left to summit. Several nice views from granite outcrops and remnant of old cabin. On return, loop back to top of Worley Road for return trip to Highlands.
Footnote: About half this hike is on paved road, skirting multiple private properties, but public hiking access to the top is guaranteed under covenants with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust.
Chinquapin Mountain
Level of difficulty: Moderate (700 ft. elevation gain)
Driving distance/directions: 2.9 miles. Follow Route 106 (Dillard Road) to graveled Glen Falls Road on left, proceed to trailhead.
Parking: Adequate
Hiking distance: 3 miles round trip
Description: Take the trail that bears to the right from Glen Falls trailhead and bulletin board.
Footnote: Be ready to rock-hop over several streams on way to summit, which has a number of rocky overlooks peering into Blue Valley.
Driving distance/directions: 2.9 miles. Follow Route 106 (Dillard Road) to graveled Glen Falls Road on left, proceed to trailhead.
Parking: Adequate
Hiking distance: 3 miles round trip
Description: Take the trail that bears to the right from Glen Falls trailhead and bulletin board.
Footnote: Be ready to rock-hop over several streams on way to summit, which has a number of rocky overlooks peering into Blue Valley.
Chattooga River Trail
Description/Directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel south on 107 for 7 miles, turn right on Bull Pen Road. You will be hi gravel road for about 8 miles or so. You will cross the Iron Bridge and see the parking area on the right. Follow path down to river and hike back as far as you like.
Description/Directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel south on 107 for 7 miles, turn right on Bull Pen Road. You will be hi gravel road for about 8 miles or so. You will cross the Iron Bridge and see the parking area on the right. Follow path down to river and hike back as far as you like.
Horsepasture River & Nature Trail
Description/Directions: At Gorges State Park. From the intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel east on 64 for 10.4 miles Turn right on NC 281 South, continue for 1 mile to Gorges State Park entrance on left. Multiple trails to choose from - more information available on Park site.
Panthertown Valley Wilderness Area
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel east on US 64 for 2 miles, turn left on Cedar Creek Road, continue for 2.3 miles, turn right on Breedlove Road (gravel, blacktop, gravel) for 4 miles to entrance.
Driving distance/directions: From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel east on US 64 for 2 miles, turn left on Cedar Creek Road, continue for 2.3 miles, turn right on Breedlove Road (gravel, blacktop, gravel) for 4 miles to entrance.
