Local Waterfalls & Hikes

Cashiers, NC Waterfalls and Hikes

Name Information Directions

Whitewater

  • 9 miles, 7 miles to river, 30-40 minutes one-way
  • 411′ 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
Highway 107 South
from cross-roads for 9.2 miles to first left turn after
crossing state line, Continue 2.2 miles to next stop sign,
turn left go another 1.2 miles to parking area.

Yellow Mountain Trail

  • 4.8 miles, 3-5 hours one-way
  • Yellow Mountain is 5127′, highest point in the
    district
  • 360 degree view from lookout tower
  • Difficult trail, steep ascents and descents
  • Longest trail in Cashiers
Take 64 West
about 7 miles to Buck Creek Road, drive about 2.3 miles and
look for trail going up the bank on the right.

Sliding Rock

  • Located on Chattooga River
  • Great for kids
Take 64 West
about 7 miles to Buck Creek Road, drive about 2.3 miles and
look for trail going up the bank on the right.

Silver Run Falls

  • 25′ fall
  • Beautiful boulder face fun to swim down into the
    private lake and stand underneath the fall.
From Cashiers,
follow NC 107 south for four miles to a gravel parking area
on the left. 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
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

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.

Highlands Waterfalls and Hikes

Name Information Directions

Whiteside Mountain

  • 2 Mile trip, walk in about an hour
  • One of the most popular scenic trails
  • 4930′ elevation, highest cliffs in the Eastern United
    States
  • Shortoff and Yellow Mountain to the North, Chimney
    Top Mountain to the East, Lake Keowee South,Nantahala
    Mountain range to the West.
From highway 64,
west of Jackson/Macon line take Wildcat Ridge Road south
about 1/2 mile to Whiteside parking area, follow sign to
trail.

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 wedding 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, Go down staircase
to Dry Falls.

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 Cullasaja River