Whiteside Mountain
What it is: A short hike to one of the best views in the area. A spectacularly scenic loop trail with views from some of eastern America’s highest cliffs.
Distance: 2 miles round-trip. About 1.5 hours.
To get there: From Brevard, take 64 West to Cashiers, about 30 miles. Continue on 64 another 4 miles past Cashiers. Turn left onto Whiteside Mountain Road, at the junction marked by a Forest Service sign that reads “VISTA POINT/WHITESIDE MOUNTAIN”. Drive 1 mile to a left turn into a parking area with pit toilets.
More info: A gradual hike to the summit follows an old road grade, to wonderful views of the valley and cliffs. Return on same route, or turn right and follow the return path along the cliffs, for a slightly more-strenuous (but very scenic!) loop route back to the parking lot.
Panthertown Valley
What it is: A 6,700-acre oasis in the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers. You can visit two waterfalls (Granny Burrell and Schoolhouse) on a relatively flat path. Great views of the valley looking east from Salt Rock and west from Little Green Mountain.
Distance: 8 miles round-trip lollipop loop, with shorter options.
To get there: From Brevard, take 64 West just over 20 miles to Cedar Creek Road. Take a right and continue 3.4 miles to paved parking, another 0.4 miles to gravel trailhead parking.
Map: A new map of Panthertown Valley has been produced by Slickrock Expeditions guide Burt Kornegay and the U.S. Forest Service. Copies should be available at the Highland Hiker, U.S. 64 & N.C. 107 in Cashiers.
Be forewarned: Trails here are sparsely marked. The aforementioned map is highly recommended.
More info: There’s a relatively gentle half-mile descent to the valley floor from the parking area along an old dirt roadbed. From there, 2.3 miles of flat hiking will take you to Granny Burrell Falls, a long slide down smooth rock into a generous pool, and Schoolhouse Falls, which drops about 20 feet over a rock ledge, also into a good-size pool.
If you’re up for a little climbing — about 370 vertical feet in 0.8 miles — continue from Schoolhouse Falls up to Little Green Mountain (see map), where exposed rock offers great views and good picnic opportunities. Total distance, trailhead-back-to-trailhead is less than 5 miles for Granny Burrell and Schoolhouse falls, and Little Green Mountain. The 8-mile lollipop loop takes in all of the above and includes a steep climb up 4,206-foot Big Green Mountain (no views, but some nice ridgeline hiking).
Cashiers: Worth a quick stop for lunch or a brief walk around the town. There's a walking trail that winds its way around the town shops, and a little bit of forest trail. Lots of restaurants, from Subway to Canyon Kitchen, which serves local fare.
