Attractions Near Highlands, North Carolina

Highlands

Highlands, North Carolina, named by Southern Living Magazine as one of the top 5 “Best Small Town Getaways”, and recipient of a “high­est recommendation” designation by SmallTownGems.com is often called “the Crown Jewel of the Blue Ridge” sits atop a plateau at an altitude of 4118 feet in the beautiful far West­ern North Carolina Mountains. Highlands, although in some ways remote, is centrally situated within an easy drive of major nearby cities including Atlanta, Georgia, Green­ville and Charleston, SC, Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN and Charlotte, NC. Located within the Nantahala National Forest with its many wa­terfalls and hiking trails, Highlands offers cool relief from the swelter­ing heat of the lowland summers in addition to some of the best dining anywhere, an active arts community, boutique shopping in a compact pedestrian friendly downtown and several cultural attractions combined with a laid back presentation. Spring and Summer burst forth with a seemingly endless rainbow of colors as flame azalea, rhododendron, and mountain laurel dominate the land­scape and provide nesting sites for the 160 species of birds that breed and migrate through this unique ecosystem now designated a Birding Sanctuary by the Audubon Society. We invite you to “Come for a visit and stay for a lifetime”.
For a complete list of activities
contact the Highlands Visitor Center at (866) 914-8399 or visit online at
www.HighlandsChamber.org
 

Attractions

Whiteside Mountain between Cashiers and Highlands

Whiteside Mountain between Cashiers and Highlands

Another mountain with spectacular views
Mooney Falls - Highlands NC

Mooney Falls - Highlands NC

Easy walk makes it worth including this one on your list.
Hiking…Bartram Trail - Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain - Highlands, North Carolina

Hiking…Bartram Trail - Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain - Highlands, North Carolina

This trail takes you to the rocky face of Whiterock Mtn, with great views down into Tessentee valley and across to the Nantahala Mountains.
Hiking the Yellow Mountain Trail - Highlands, NC

Hiking the Yellow Mountain Trail - Highlands, NC

The Yellow Mountain Trail is located near Highlands, NC
Glen Falls - Highlands NC

Glen Falls - Highlands NC

From Highlands, travel 3 mi. south on NC 106. Turn left on U.S. Forest Service Rd. with "Glen Falls" marker. One-mile trail to falls is steep and rough. Consists of three large falls, each dropping approx. 60 feet.
Dry Falls - Highlands NC

Dry Falls - Highlands NC

Located near U.S. 64, 3.5 mi. west from Highlands, 16.5 mi. east from Franklin. Paved walkway leads to falls from parking area. Walk underneath the 75 ft. falls.
Bridal Veil Falls - Highlands NC

Bridal Veil Falls - Highlands NC

2.5 mi. west of Highlands on U.S. 64. Visible from the highway, which at one time routed traffic under the falls. Height 120 ft.
Big Laurel Falls - Nantahala National Forest, Highlands NC

Big Laurel Falls - Nantahala National Forest, Highlands NC

Nantahala National Forest

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