Highlands, NC

Today we went on a pretty epic adventure up to Highlands, North Carolina. We stopped at the visitors center and got a bunch of information. The lady there was super friendly and helpful.

From the visitors center we headed West down N.C. 64 and found exactly what we went up to highlands to find, waterfalls. The first of the falls is just out of town, 2 miles down the road. you will see the lake and a boat ramp and then the next pull off is the falls to the Left.To get to Sequoyah Fall it is just a minor path down to the bottom and a small climb over a big pipe.

They are not actually a waterfall it is the dam for the lake but they are too cool not to count. Plus, they connect to Kalakaleskies Falls and with how hard they are to say they are even harder to get to. They say you can climb down some slippery rocks and get a photo of them. But, it has been rainy lately and we could only see the top of them. There was no way to safely get down to them. so with that said be careful play it safe. You don’t want to end up swept down river.

The next set of falls we went to was Bridal Veil Falls it is a hop skip and a jump from the first set. Basically one mile further down the road you will see them on the Right. The Parking area is just past the falls. These falls are super cool the area is paved. and you can even walk behind them. we went on a chilly morning and stuff was trying to ice over. So, there are my words of warning watch for ice if you are down here in the winter or early spring.

From here you just continue down the road another hop, skip and a jump. Really, it is that close. The parking Lot is on the left. It is a National Forest Pay Parking Lot. So if you have your Annual Park Pass you are good, Otherwise it is $3.00 for the day to park. This is Dry Falls and no they are not dry. This area is well taken care of they have a nice set of steps and ramps down to the falls. they even have it so you can walk behind them. It was trying to freeze the morning we were there and getting behind the falls was a super icy path. So we stayed on the side of the falls.

From Here the road gets even more twisty and turny, if you have a big truck it will feel really tight. We actually saw the other two sets of falls but with traffic we had to keep moving so we made it down to the town and turned around and did the last 2 falls in reverse order since the parking lots are on the side we were headed. I would say this way is definitely easier then trying to cross traffic to park for the last 2 falls on west 64.

Both Sets of falls can be easily seen from the road. Cullasaja Falls is 9 miles from highlands and you can’t safely get down to them. But you get a pretty good view from the parking area.

The set inbetween Dry Falls and Cullasaja Falls is Bust Your Butt Falls. Yes, That is its actual name. And I do see why they are called that. you can get down to the falls level easy enough but to get close you are going to bust your butt trying to cross rocks.

From Here we headed back into highlands and went on the hunt for Whitewater Falls. The Directions on the brochure are vague but correct. So you go straight through the light in Highlands from West NC 64 to East NC 64 and yes the light is where they change. From there follow this road until you get to Cashiers, yes it is a town not a person. you will turn right at the light in town onto NC 107. You will pass Silver Run Falls, we stopped and checked them out on the way back. Stay on 107 until you see a sign to turn left this is SC 130, it is not labeled as such on the road signs just so you know. Follow this and you will see and over look. Stop at the over look. it is worth it

From the Overlook keep going you will see signs and you will trun right. There is a big parking lot and picnic area. This is another National Forest Parking area. So, If you have your pass your good. If you paid to park at Dry Falls your good. It is about a half mile walk to Whitewater Falls it is a nice paved trail to stairs. Take the stairs there isn’t a ton and the view is 100% worth it.

So from here we headed back toward Highlands and stopped at Silver Run Falls. This set of is just a short flat hike and these falls would be perfect to go swim in with the awesome pool at the bottom. On a nice warm day, which it was not, so we just enjoyed the view and kept going.

From here we made it back into Highlands and back to the light where we started. Heading back toward Dillard on NC106 about 2 miles down the road you will see a sign for the falls. Turn Left and immediately turn right onto a dirt road. Yes I said dirt, there are a lot of dirt roads down here you can wash your car when you get home. Follow the dirt road about a mile you will see the parking lot because the road ends in a parking lot. It is another National Forest Parking lot but this one it Free.

You are now at Glen Falls. But this one is work, It is a nice mile hike down the views are okay you get nice and close 3 times once at the top, once at the middle, and once toward the bottom. The Middle View is really the best one. Once you are at the bottom here is the kicker you have lost 700 ft of Elevation you now get to make up in a huge up hill climb. It is a real leg burner, my husband and I made the comment about half way up maybe we should have done this one first while our legs were fresh. Just, and note if you ever do this not so loopy loop.

So you survived Glen Falls you get a treat on the way down NC106 to Dillard there is a Overlook. Stop, Enjoy, and take it all in. It is a gourgouse view of Blue Mountains and Valley’s definitely worth the stop.

This was a full day adventure, and we saw, 8 waterfalls and 2 Overlooks. We ate lunch at Whitewater Falls, and the only thing this adventure cost us was some fuel. I would give this trip a 10 out of 10 in beauty, and views. Well worth checking it out if you are in the area.

Here is the Flyer for most of the falls we saw today:

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