Things to Do in the Highlands Area
If shopping or golf is not of interest to you, take advantage of our wonderful outdoor living room surrounded by mountain peaks, tranquil lakes, roaring waterfalls and swift mountain streams to find things to do. See the back roads by bike. Enjoy the lakes by canoe. Hike the peaks and waterfalls and forge the streams with a fishing rod.
Appalachian ATV Adventures
Explore the forest with guides on a fun to ride Polaris Magnum 325 4-wheeler equipped with automatic transmission. Included is a picnic lunch. Call ATV TO GO or visit www.atvtogo.com
Boat Rental
Canoes and/or mountain bikes can be rented from Adventure Depot.
828 743-2052 or 828 507-0174.
Cherokee Indian Reservation
Visit the living museum where you can watch Cherokees make a wooden canoe, grind corn and do other things that are a part of their heritage. Between June and Labor Day enjoy Unto these Hills, a production of Cherokee Heritage. Stop by Harrah’s Casino located on the reservation.
Gem Mining
Franklin is known as the Gem Capital and there are many Gem Mines located in the Cowee Valley north and west
Hiking
The Highlands area and the Nantahala National Forest have many wonderful hiking areas. For the best information, check with the US Forest Service at 526-3765 or stop by the Visitor’s Center on East Main Street. Area outfitters and bookstores have information books and detailed maps on trails. Guided hikes can be arranged through The Adventure Depot at 828-743-2052.
Chattooga Loop Trail
A
Ellicott’s Rock/ Bad Creek Trails
These trails are 7 miles each, round trip. The trailhead for both is at Bull Pen Road. Ellicott’s Rock is a rock embedded in the Chattooga River bank bearing the letter NC, carved by surveyor Andrew Ellicott. He thought his to be the intersection of Georgia, North Carolina
Hurrah Ridge/West Fork Trails
Beginning at the end of Blue Valley Road, this
The Narrows
The trailhead of this
Slick Rock
This hike is only .2 miles round trip and begins at Bull Pen Road. The summit offers an impressive view of the mountains. The slopes which face due east provides a favorite place to view a sunrise.
Yellow Mountain/ Shortoff Mountain
The hike to Shortoff Mountain is 3 miles round trip; the one to Yellow Mountain is 9.6 miles. The trailhead is at Cole Gap on Buck Mountain Rd. The trail to Shortoff Mountain is a short, easy hike to a view of the Buck Creek area and has views to the south. Yellow Mountain is a difficult trail with many ascents and descents traversing three of the areas scenic mountains.
Whiteside Mountain
With the trailhead at the Whiteside Mountain parking area, this two-mile round trip trail offers spectacular views from the high ridge top 2100 feet above the valley floor. Whiteside Mountain has the highest sheer cliffs in the Eastern US.
US Forest Service Recreational Facilities
The US Forest
Fishing
Highland Hiker
Highlands & Cashiers
866-836-9920.
Fly fishing guides are available with advance reservations.
Whitewater Fly Fishing
Toxaway, NC
828-966-9646
Fly fishing instruction.
Morning, afternoon and all day classes available.
Ladies only groups welcome.
The Fish Hawk Fly Fishing School
706 746 0631
Bald Mountain Road between Sky Valley, GA & Scaly Mt., NC
Offers one, two and
Horseback Riding
Arrowmont Stables
Cashiers, NC
828 743-2762
Sapphire Valley, NC
828 743-9574
Dillard Stables
Dillard, GA
706 746-2038
Whitewater Equestrian
Toxaway, NC
828 966-9646
Open
Smoky Mountain Railroad
Is a fun
White Water Rafting
Southeastern Expeditions
1-800-868-7273
Nantahala Outdoor Center
1-800-232-7238
www.noc.com
There are several choice whitewater rivers in our area. Sections III&IV of the Chattooga River is the closest and the most popular. First time rafters will enjoy Section III. Trip length 6 hours. Minimum age: 10 years old.
Section IV of the Chattooga is the steepest and most exciting. Drops and ledges challenge the rafter while breath-taking waterfalls and scenery make this an unforgettable experience. Trip length 7 hours. Minimum age: 13. Overnight adventures are also available.
Smoother river rides are available on the Ocoee and Nantahala Rivers.
For more information call one of the
Zipline
Highlands Aerial Park
9625 Dillard Rd, Highlands, NC 28775
828-526-8773
A family adventure park with something for all ages. An ecologically inspired botanical experience with the thrills normally found in pole based amusement parks. The Brave Indian Family Course is designed for 4 years old and up and allows parents and grandparents share with the children the thrill of overcoming obstacles in and above the trees The Mountain zip line course is for those who question their readiness to step off a platform and fly from tree to tree. The