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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. 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.
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
Signal Ridge Marina at Lake Glenville near Cashiers is
less than a half-hour drive. Rent a pontoon boat, ski
boat or fishing boat. Advance reservations are needed.
Call 828-743-2143
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 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 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
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 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
Highlands Hiker
Highlands & Cashiers
828-526-0441.
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
outfitters or for objective advise put your trip into
the hands of Adventure Depot, our Highlands adventure
concierge. 828 743-2052.
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Driving Directions and Map.. |
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