If shopping or golf is not of interest to you, there is no lack of things to do.? Take advantage of our wonderful outdoor living room surrounded by mountain peaks, tranquil lakes, roaring waterfalls and swift mountain streams. See the back roads by bike. Enjoy the lakes by canoe. Hike the peaks and waterfalls and forge the streams with a fishing rod. Come enjoy nature at its finest.
Highlands Outpost
ice skating, snow tubing, Mountain Coaster- located in scaly mountain
Highlands Zipline
ziplining and swings. Located between Scaly Mtn and sky valley.
Boat Rental
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 from Franklin. However, just a short drive west from Highlands on Hwy 64W (Franklin Road) is Jackson Hole Trading Post with a recently installed powered water sluice and mud from the area in order that you can do your own mining. It is fun and relaxing and the children love it. For more information call Jackson Hole Trading Post at 828-524-5850.
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 828-526-3765 or stop by the Visitor’s Center on 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 two mile round trip, this hike features a pleasant walk through the woods and then along the river, ending with a spectacular view of rock formations from Bull Pen Bridge known as “The Iron Bridge”. The trail is off Horse Cove Road.
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 and South Carolina. The actual point of intersection is Commissioner Rock ten feet downstream.
Hurrah Ridge/West Fork Trails
Beginning at the end of Blue Valley Road, this 2.1 mile trail is apart of an historic trail used by Blue Valley residents to drive livestock up to grazing grounds in The Flats of Scaly Mountain.
The Narrows
The trailhead of this 4 mile round trip hike is Whiteside Cove Road. Highlights include the Chattaooga River forced into a narrow channel, a cascading river and a swimming hole.
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 service operates the recreational facilities in the Nantahala National Forest to include the waterfalls and hiking trails. Cliffside Lake recreational area has hiking trails, picnic tables and pavilions; fishing and swimming are permitted. A NC fishing license and trout stamp is required for anyone over 16 years of age who wish to fish.
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 three day intensive classes in fly fishing both workshop and practice.
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 year round with indoor riding ring
Smoky Mountain Railroad
Is a fun year round adventure. These are several different routes through the mountains as well as different traveling styles from open air to club coach to enjoy the ride. Saturday night there is a gourmet dinner train featuring a four-course meal and cocktails. During the summer months the railroad offers Raft & Rail. Travel 22 miles by rail then a two-hour rafting trip down 8 miles of the Nantahala River. A picnic lunch, hot shower and transportation back to the train depot are included. Bring your children and grandchildren to visit “Thomas the Train”. Thomas visits each summer and offers 10 half-hour trips through the mountains each day. For reservations call 800-872-4681 or visit their website at www.gsmr.com
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 above mentioned outfittersÂ