Easy 2 mi. loop along the Eastern Continental Divide
Whiteside Mountain is 4930 ft., highest vertical drop (750ft.) in eastern US
Long range views from the top
Shortoff and Yellow Mountain to the North, Chimney Top Mountain to the East, Lake Keowee South, Nantahala Mountain range to the West.
From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 4.7 mi. west on US 64, turn L on Whiteside Mtn. Rd. at brown Whiteside Mountain Trail sign. Continue 1.1 mi. passing Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on R, turn L into gravel parking.
Yellow Mountain Trail
9.6 mi. round trip, steep ascents and descents
3-5 hrs. to old stone and wood fire tower at 5,127 ft. elev.
Long range views from the top
From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 in Cashiers, drive 7.3 mi. west on US 64, turn on Buck Creek Rd., go 2.2 mi. passing Chestnut Hill on R. Look for steep path on R with small wooden sign and steps leading to trail. Park on L in gravel.
Whitewater Falls
9 miles, 7 miles to river, 30-40 minutes one-way
411 ft. - tallest waterfall in the East
Dirt mound to the left leads to the river, be prepared to wade in cold calf-deep water
5-10 minute walk leads to paved trail to an overlook, wheelchair accessible
Stairs on the right to a second vantage point of the falls
Picnic area
$2 parking fee
This 411 ft. waterfall is higher than Niagara Falls and is the highest waterfall in the eastern U.S. Hiking trails take you to the top & bottom of this fall, but hiking is not necessary to view this waterfall. Hiking to the top is not recommended as several people each year have fatal or near fatal falls. From intersection of US 64 and NC 107 take NC 107 south for approximately 10 mi. You will cross into South Carolina approx. 1 mi. and turn L onto Wiggington Rd., go 3 mi. and turn L at stop sign. Marked parking area for falls will be approx. 1 mi. on right.
Chattooga River Trail
Hike as far as you like
Beautiful Iron Bridge and Chattooga river trail scenery
Moderate difficulty
From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel south on 107 for 7 mi., turn R on Bull Pen Rd. You will be on gravel road for about 8 miles or so. You will cross the Iron Bridge and see the parking area on the R. Follow path down to river and hike back as far as you like.
Horsepasture River & Nature Trails
At Gorges State Park
Multiple trails to choose from
Varying trail difficulty
From the intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel east on 64 for 10.4 mi.. Turn R on NC 281 S. Cont. for 1 mi. to Gorges State Park entrance on L. Multiple trails to choose from - more information available on Park site.
Panthertown Valley Wilderness Area
Hiking and mountain hiking permitted year-round
6,700 acres of high mountain valley, sheer rock, waterfalls, quiet streams and diverse vegetation
Trails, from old logging roads to footpaths, criss-sross the area
It takes at least 1/2 a day to appreciate the valley’s beauty. If hiking, please stay on main trails. From intersection of NC 107 and US 64 travel east on US 64 for 2 mi., turn L on Cedar Creek Rd., continue for 2.3 mi., turn R on Breedlove Rd. (gravel, blacktop, gravel) for 4 mi. to entrance. You WILL need a map of Panthertown to navigate once there.
Cashiers Sliding Rock
Nature’s waterslide on the Chattooga River!
Perfect for children to enjoy a summer day.
Travel 107 S. approx. 1.5 mi. to R on Whiteside Cove Rd., continue approx. 3 mi. to small bridge. Park to your right and the very short trail will be visible.
Silver Run Falls
25′ fall
Beautiful boulder face fun to swim down into the private lake and stand underneath the fall.
Take 107 S. approx. 4.3 mi. to gravel parking area on your L. Brown forest service sign marks area as Silver Run Falls. Follow short trail, crossing a small foot bridge to the 40 ft. cascade. A great place to swim and picnic. From Walhalla, take SC 28 to SC 107. Then, proceed up SC 107 about 16 miles to the parking area on the right.
Turtleback and Rainbow Falls
150′ waterfalls, on sunny mornings you can see a rainbow over the falls
One of the falls “Bust your butt falls”, ride a tube or slide down the rock
Not for young children or the less physically fit
Inside of Gorges State Park. From Cashiers drive East on 64 for about 10.5 miles, turn right (South) on 281 for about 1 mile. Forest Service Horse pasture River/Rainbow Falls sign on left. Parking on Right. Go down trail for approximately 1 mile until intersects a trail that parallels the river of Turtleback Falls, go left along trail to view from the bottom. Continue 1/4 mile to Rainbow Falls. If coming from Whitewater Falls, exit parking area to R. Continue on NC 281 for 7.5 miles to park entrance.
Chattooga River
Moderate to difficult
2 miles round trip
Many places around river perfect for picnics
Follow US 107 or US 28 South to the intersection of US 107 and US 28. Continue 1.9 miles south on US 28/107 to the paved right at Mountain Top Trading Post (Whetstone Road). From the turn, go .7 miles and take first paved left at the Long Creek sign, Cassidy Bridge Road. Continue 7.3 miles to the end of the road. Turn left at the fork and proceed .2 miles to Raines Rd. and take a right. Follow Raines Rd. until it ends at Hwy. 76. Take a right and follow Hwy. 76 to the Chattooga River Hwy. 76 Bridge.
The Narrows
Cascading rivers
Swimming hole
Narrow Channel
4 miles round trip
Trail head Whiteside Cove Road
Take Horse Cove Rd. 4.3 miles from the corner of Fourth and Main St. in Highlands to the end of the pavement. Turn left onto Whiteside Cove Rd. and drive 0.9 miles. The trail is on a logging road on the right and descends 2 miles to The Narrows. You will pass a trail to the right, which continues to Bull Pen Bridge on Horse Cove Rd. Be sure to return the way you came.
Ellicott’s Rock – Bad Creek
7 mile round trip
Ellicott’s rock is a rock embedded in the Chattooga River with NC carved out by surveyor Andrew Ellicott
Trail head Bull Pen Road
Turn on Bull Pen Rd., about 2.5-3 miles park on the right in the gravel just after Fowler Creek Bridge, walk back over the bridge on the opposite side of the road is the trailhead.
Toxaway Falls
Park to view the falls
From Cashiers drive east on US 64 for approx. 14 mi. The hwy. passes over the falls in the curve just past the Lake Toxaway Co. office bldg on your left. Parking is limited to paved roadside and waterfall cannot be viewed by merely driving by. No hike involved.
Hurricane Falls
Park to view the falls
Take 107 N. 2 mi. to L on Norton Rd. Follow road for .5 mi. crossing a bridge to a pull off area just past it where you can view this waterfall that empties into Lake Glenville. No hike.
• Near Highlands
Name
Information
Directions
Glen Falls
1.4 mile trail
15 minutes to first waterfall
Three 80′ falls and streams
106 South, 2 miles from Highlands, Glen Falls scenic area sign to left, turn and follow SR 1618 to parking area. Follow the gravel path to the falls.
Bridal Veil Falls
150′ waterfall
Can drive under falls
Many weddings have been performed under Bridal Veil
Intersection of Highway 107 South & 64, drive West towards Highlands on 64 , turn right at light and junction of 64 and 28 (towards Franklin) drive about 3 miles, Falls on right side of the road.
Dry Falls
Path leading behind falls
Walk behind without getting wet
75′ falls
Intersection of Highway 107 South & 64, drive West towards Highlands on 64 , turn right at light and junction of 64 and 28 (towards Franklin), drive about 1 mile past Bridal Veil Falls. After Dry Falls sign turn left into parking area. Follow stone staircase to the falls which cascades overhead. Short path takes you behind this waterfall.
Lower Cullasaja Falls
Cullasaja cascades above 250′
Falls are visible from the highway
On U.S. 64/N.C. 28 between Highlands and Franklin
Intersection of Highway 107 South & 64, drive West towards Highlands on 64 , turn right at light and junction of 64 and 28 (towards Franklin), drive about 1 mile past Bridal Veil Falls. After Dry Falls sign turn left into parking area, Go down staircase to Dry Falls.
Kalakaleskies Falls
18 small falls within 1/4 mile
Sequoyah Lake Dam at head of falls
Banks are steep and there are no worn paths. Be Careful!
Off 64 and 28 West,3 miles Northwest of Highlands on the Cullasaja River.
