Summer in Highlands NC, Get Outside and Enjoy Great Hiking!
Meadows Mountain Realty, Highlands real estate & community information
Summer in Highlands NC means that it is time to get outside and enjoy some great hiking! Nature, fresh mountain air, and spectacular views get visitors and residents alike outside to enjoy the Plateau. Hiking is one activity available to all ages and ability levels. Whether looking for a short stroll through the woods or a longer trail with a steeper ascent to the top of a local mountain, there is a hike for everyone.
Sampling of beloved Highlands NC hiking trails
Chinquapin Mountain Trail
The Chinquapin Mountain Trail can be 3.2 miles or 3.45 round trip, depending on which trailhead you start from. The 3.2 version begins at the Glen Falls parking area and the second trailhead for Chinquapin Mountain starts on SR 106, adding a quarter mile to where it meets the main trail. Three overlooks offer stunning views.
Cliffside Vista Trail
The Cliffside Lake Recreation Area is located off of US 64, 4 miles northwest of Highlands NC. Signs make finding the area easy. The Cliffside Vista Trail is a short, 1/2 mile interpretive loop trail describing shrubs and trees. Looping around the lake offers hikers an easy, level walk. Additionally, the lake at this recreation area is swimmable. There is also a campground and a network of short trails.
Chattooga Narrows Trail
This is a moderate 3-mile trail that can offer a great workout! The Chattooga Narrows Trail is roughly 5.5 miles from downtown Highlands. Heading east on Horse Cove Road until taking a left on Whiteside Cove Road where the trailhead is just under a mile down the road. This trail offers lots of water, following the Chattanooga River, Cane Creek, and Cross Creek, making it a great trail for dogs.
Glen Falls Trail
If you are looking for an enjoyable hike close to town this is a favorite. Drive down the gravel, one-lane Forest Service road approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Highlands on NC 106 leads to Glen Falls. Follow this road about a mile to the parking area and a sign for Glen Falls Scenic Area. The Glen Falls Trail can be as long as you wish with the full hike/walk being 2.8 miles round-trip. This is a great trail, showcasing 3 cascading waterfalls along the way, with the first falls only 15 minutes in, a 1/2 mile walk. You can also take a steep, 1-mile trail down to the bottom of the falls to enjoy a better view.
Whiteside Mountain Hike
The Whiteside Mountain Recreation Area is well-marked and easy to find. Start at the corner of Main Street and NC 106 in Highlands and follow US 64 East for 5.4 miles. Here you will turn right onto Whiteside Mtn Rd (SR 1600) where you will see signs. This is a National Recreation Trail offering a fantastic loop that climbs to the top of Whiteside Mountain, boasting amazing views.
Get outside and enjoy the mountain lifestyle
The Southern Blue Ridge Mountains are stunning in the summer. Along with spectacular mountain vistas, there are wildflowers, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Get outside and get to know what makes the Highlands/Cashiers area so fabulous. Additionally, hiking is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the great outdoors.
Learn more about summer in Highlands NC
Contact our team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty today to learn about Highlands NC real estate. We welcome the opportunity to get you up to speed on the market while helping you get to know the area like a local. Let our knowledge and experience serve as your guide to summer in Highlands NC.