We parked our truck and made our way up the wide trail. I would recommend if you want to come for sunrise, plan to get to the summit 30 mins before to see the bright red/orange colors before the sun peeks over the mountain. Attractions: A two-mile loop trail climbs above the sheer 750-foot high cliffs and offers outstanding views to the east, south and west. Share your experience by blogging your hiking, traveling, outdoor fitness stories and GPX on a map. A two mile loop trail runs the summit ridge. Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail is a 1.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Highlands, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. This jaw-dropping spectacle is six miles from town on US 64 East. Nestled in the Nantahala National Forest of North Carolina, for most of a half mile you get view after view, each better than the last. Whiteside Mountain is a mountain in Jackson County, North Carolina between Cashiers, Highlands, North Carolina, and the Georgia border. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The mountain contains the tallest such cliffs in all of North Carolina and there is a 1.9-mile loop trail that takes visitors all the way to the top and along those cliffs. GO EARLY. Or for an actual hike go right at fork, Good trail, pretty wet and icy after a rain storm but certainly manageable in sneakers or hiking boots. Take the steep climb up and the flat path down. I'd take the left path up, go across the top to see the different views, then either descend the hard way down, or retrace my steps and go back down the easier path. This is a fee area, and there’s a restroom located in the parking area. along the eastern Continental Divide, which offers spectacular views from a high ridge top, 2,100' above the valley floor. Amazing. Moderately strenuous 2 mile, 1-hour hike taking you from ~4100 to 4900 feet. On a Wednesday 11am in November it was heavily trafficked. North Carolina Div. Most rewarding hike for the distance. Sie werden … Get your Ramblr app today! Whiteside Mountain Trail is a must-do when in Highlands/Cashiers. The trail gets you down the mountain quickly through a beautiful wooded forest, it's in great shape and even has stairs in the steepest sections. We were at the trailhead by 6:40am and had plenary of time to. Whiteside Mountain Trail is a must-do when in Highlands/Cashiers. Jackson County Tourism; Jackson County Hotels; Jackson County Bed and Breakfast; Jackson County Holiday Rentals; Jackson County Packages; Flights to Jackson County; Jackson County Restaurants; Jackson County Attractions; Jackson County Travel Forum Dogs are welcome on the trail, as long as they are cleaned up after and remain on a leash. a must if you are in the area. Finished at 11:30 and the parking lot was a zoo with peo on the street, everywhere. Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. True to what another reviewer wrote, the parking lot midday was a zoo but the hike was plenty spaced out from others and the view at the top is magnificent. Highly recommend this hike. A "moderate" two-mile loop trail takes you on top of sheer 750-ft. high cliffs (plenty of railings for safety) with outstanding views to the east, south and west. Be sure to take headlamps or flashlights. Plenty of connecting trails around that are more challenging. Note that you may have to walk very close to people on some stretches and there is a lot of heavy breathing. Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail is a 3.1 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Highlands, North Carolina that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Whiteside Mountain is one of the most spectacular peaks not just in the Southern Appalachians, but on the entire east coast. Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail. Great views in the morning hours! Directions from Highlands, NC: Located between Highlands and Cashiers off US 64. Very safe with a fence at main openings. From Highlands - Travel east on Highway 64 for just over 5 miles, shortly past the sign to the Whiteside Mountain Trail and just over the Jackson County line. Whiteside Mountain is a very popular Hike in the Southern Nantahala National Forest, just outside of Highlands NC. The Whiteside Trail is located on the slopes of Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of … The high cliffs of Whiteside Mountain make for the ideal home to a variety of raptors, the peregrine falcon being one of the more popular. The 4,930 ft (1,500 m) Whiteside Mountain is in Jackson County, North Carolina. get to the top to see the sun come up. Webseite. Seasonal Peregrine Falcon Closures: Typically from early January until late summer routes left of Traditions are closed for falcon nesting. There are many overlooks and look out spots. In spite of the more than 500 feet in elevation gain, the trail is only rated as moderate by AllTrails – and it’s the perfect spot to get high above the local terrain and see some fantastic views. Whiteside Mountain Loop Trail. A landmark along the Eastern Continental Divide, Whiteside Mountain rises to an elevation of 4,930 feet. The Whiteside Mountain Loop is a short, but excellent trail that climbs up the back of the mountain, revealing sweeping vistas over its steep 700-foot cliffs. I can certainly understand why some make the effort to hike up to watch the sunrise from the top. Great hike to some great views, but take the left path! Below, the Chattooga, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, begins its course down the Blue Ridge escarpment. Bridal Veil Falls | Dry Falls | Bust Your Butt Falls | Cullasaja Falls | Glen Falls | Sequoyah Falls | Ranger Falls . The Whiteside Mountain Trail is designated a National Recreation Trail and is a component of the National Trail System. Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail is a pet-friendly hike in Nantahala National Forest. parts of the trails were muddy but nothing that couldn't be circumnavigated. There is also a sign. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Navigate your way to insane views on the precipice of Devil's Courthouse on this mile side trail to the popular Whiteside Mountain loop trail. The mountain's cliffs look like sheets of ice draped across the mountain. This popular 2-mile loop trail along the awe inspiring Whiteside Mountains cliffs offers one of the best view-to-distance ratios of any hike. From this trail one can peer 750 feet down into the valley below. Would have been rough going up with the kids on the right. If you reach the sign for the entrance to the Whiteside Mountain Trail, you have gone too far. I work out every day, and I was winded. Let the world see your experience through your eyes. Turn right at the sign onto Whiteside Mountain Road. Hiked with 6&4 year old and they loved it. Views of sunrise sensational. amazing views, haven't been on this trail in 24 years. Geologists believe Whiteside to be one of the oldest mountains in the world at 360 to 490 million years old. This is the east end of the loop where the trail makes a sharp, but wide turn back towards the parking area. Warmed up as we got to the top and sun. Drove from ATL to get here for sunrise. more. Lookouts in multiple places,see for miles. The hike is nearly 2 miles long and will take you to beautiful wildflowers along the way. Beautiful views just a short mile up. Directions: Take US 64 east out of downtown Highlands. Attractions: A two-mile loop trail climbs above the sheer 750-foot high cliffs and offers outstanding views to the east, south, and west. Wir haben den gesamten Schleife und, es sei denn, Sie sind in einem super Zustand, ich empfehle dies tun im Uhrzeigersinn. It is a beautiful hike with amazing views and worth the visit! Views extend in vast panoramas, reaching down the mountain’s towering spine, and stretching far and wide. Recommend following the wide trail on the left up INSTEAD of taking the steps to the right. A 2-mile moderate loop trail to the summit features magnificent views from ridgetops. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Highlands, Hotels near Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, Hotels near Cliffside Lake Recreation Area, Cullasaja River Gorge: Tickets & Tours‎, Sunset Rock and Ravenel Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Highlands Biological Station, Nature Center and Botanical Gardens: Tickets & Tours‎, Jackson Hole Gem Mine: Tickets & Tours‎, Cliffside Lake Recreation Area: Tickets & Tours‎. I wouldn't want to drive all the way here, then can't hike because of no parking. KEEP FOLLOWING the trail… Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. WATERFALL VIDEOS. This is a short but extremely beautiful scenic trail. Once on the trail, we went the shorter more strenuous, rooty and rocky route - to the right (counterclockwise). Cole Mountain and Shortoff Mountain via Yellow Mountain Trail, Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail. Whiteside Mountain & Devil's Courthouse. $3 per vehicle and an additional $1 per person. 2 mile hike through some of God's most beautiful creations. It's a two-mile, family/pet-friendly loop. An old-growth forest of northern red oaks, with trunks twisted by strong winds and ice storms, is found at the summit. To the north Shortoff and Yellow Mountain are prominent. The high ridgetop above the steep south-facing cliffs offers spectacular views of other mountains in the area. Great views!!. The trail peaks at .75 miles, reaching Whiteside Mountain’s summit of 4,930 feet. Pictured below is a raptor's perspective of Whiteside Mountain Peregrine falcons are rarer… Length: 1.2 miles round trip, out-and-back trail (from parking lot) Time: 1 to 1.5 hours Difficulty: Very strenuous, straight up and straight down the mountain. Whiteside Mountain. You can't park on the street as it's a neighborhood. Well worth taking. I recommend going left up the gravel path because it allows a build up in regards to the views... you'll get the biggest and best views last if you go left when given the chance (the signage will also tell you it's more strenuous if you go the other way, but for me, it was about the views). The two-mile loop trail climbs above sheer cliffs and offers outstanding views. Whiteside Mountain Trail is rated "more difficult" because of its steepness. This magnificent rock is about 390 to 460 million years old. This hike is family friendly, but you wiill need to have total control of your childern along the trail and make sure they can handle the two-mile journey. This is a self service fee location. Also, there is parking, but the later in the day you go, the less parking spot you'll find. Allowed Uses: Hiking; Length: 451 ft; Whiteside Mountain - Woods Section. Allowed Uses: Hiking; Length: 0.33 mi When you encounter the service road, turn left continuing downhill. It is a “must hike” if you are staying over in Sapphire Valley or Highlands. Put on some good hiking shoes, it is long and gets steep but well worth it, If you want to see the sunrise in the Western North Carolina mountains this is a great place to do it. However, more commonly seen by visitors and often mistaken for falcons are turkey vultures and black vultures. There is at least one ten pitch climb of over 750 feet on the mountain. Die 2 mile Loop Trail bringt Sie auf den spektakulären Ausblicken. has the highest sheer cliffs in the Eastern US. The next time I do this trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Great views and well worth the effort. It also has a feature called Devil's Courthouse, not to be confused with the Devil's Courthouse 20 miles away in Transylvania County, NC. Keep left for a gravel easy walk the whole way. The mountain’s cliffs look like sheets of ice draped across the mountain. Ramblr is a geo located stories and blogging app for nature lovers with GPS or iPhone / Android. Devils Courthouse: the hike. Easy hike that you can do in an hour with time to spare. If you arrive about an hour before sunset you will see a beautiful sunset on the way down. Was very windy and chilly at 7:30 am. Go 5.5 miles to the Whiteside Mountain Road sign and turn right on NC 1600. Ask fellow travelers and attraction managers your top questions. After some discussions with other hikers apparently it’s much easier to go the opposite way up - to the left (clockwise). Watch for the stepson your right leading off the service road back to the parking area to complete your hike of Whiteside Mountain. Trail Segments. Nice woods, rock formations. After cresting the mountain’s summit, the trail rolls elevation, making its last ascent at 1 mile. Hikers can enjoy the moderate two-mile loop trail that leads around Whiteside Mountain to its summit at 4,930 feet. It's a two-mile, family/pet-friendly loop. Informational signs along the top of the mountain. The overlook, which is not marked, will be on the left. One of the best overall hikes for all levels. Beautiful views of the surrounding area can be seen from vantage points all along the trail. We hiked it the day after a hard rain and it was muddy and wet but passable in tennis shoes. Great trail. Location: Whiteside Mountain is located south of U.S. 64 between Highlands and Cashiers. At a Glance Jackson County Tourism; Jackson County Hotels; Bed and Breakfast Jackson County; Jackson County Holiday Rentals; Flights to Jackson County; Jackson County Restaurants; Jackson County Attractions; Jackson County Travel Forum; Jackson County Photos; Jackson County Map Whiteside Mountain Hike. We got there at 9:30 and pretty much had the trail to ourselves. When you come to the first view point you think it can’t get better but as you keep walking the views get better and better. Access Points For The Whiteside Trail Loop. This hike is one of the best mountain hikes in this part of North Carolina. The views are stunning and some of the best anywhere. Check out the brochure. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Gear: A … As you approach the top, you’ll see the 1st observation deck which is small. Gradual Old Roadbed To The Left Steeper Hiking Trail To The Right . Whiteside Mountain. I took the right side trail up, it is much more of an incline than the left route. Small children should be watched closely. Whiteside Mountain The trail takes you on a hike to 4,940 ft. elev. Whiteside Mountain Rd Cashiers, NC, NC 28717. Enjoy some of the best views in the Nantahala National Forest on Whiteside Mountain, then get lost (literally) along the way to Devil's Courthouse for even more expansive views. It was cold and windy at the start though. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Whiteside Mountain Sunrise If you want to see the sunrise in the Western North Carolina mountains this is a great place to do it. The overlook will be on the right. It's a loop trail, so you can start from the left path or the right path. Tons of wonderful views. This popular 2-mile loop trail along the awe inspiring Whiteside Mountains cliffs offers one of the best view-to-distance ratios of any hike. The adventure begins at the Whiteside Mountain trailhead near Highlands, NC (view maps and driving directions).The hike follows a wide gravel roadbed eastbound, and turns right at .1 mile to follow the Whiteside Loop in a counter-clockwise direction, following blue trail blazes. Due to erosion, Whiteside Mountain now boasts the highest vertical cliffs in the eastern United States—about 1,800 feet. Please choose a different date. It has some of the highest sheer cliffs east of the Mississippi, at 1,000 feet. Of Travel and Tourism, 301 N. Wilmington Street , Raleigh, NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171. What an amazing trail this is. Arrive early (during summer months). Whiteside Mountain can boast the highest cliffs in Eastern North America. Once on the trail, we went the shorter more strenuous, rooty and rocky route - to the right (counterclockwise). No other climbers. ... Whiteside Mountain Whiteside Mountain Rd. Whiteside Mountain Trail With sheer, vertical cliffs that tower above the valley below, this trail features one of the county’s most recognizable peaks. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows: Whiteside Mountain - Parking Lot to Split. Take a camera, as the cliff-top views are lined with beautiful mountain laurel which blooms in mid-June. This excellent loop, designated a National Recreation Trail, climbs to the top of Whiteside Mountain, with its spectacular 700 ft high cliff walls lofting the hiker for amazing views. Perhaps one of the best trails in the area for a panoramic view is the Whiteside Mountain Trail. The left path is an easier ascent, whereas the right path is steep with lots of step ups. Parking fills up quickly. Started left - would recommend as its an easy start and the hard part is downhill, not up. Only a few of the 30 people we walked past had masks. Whiteside Mountain Trail is rated more difficult because of its steepness. Go one mile to a well-marked parking area on the left. A national recreation trail, making a 2-mile loop, winds to the 4,930-foot summit. Named for its sheer, white cliffs, this mountain rises more than 2,100 feet above the Nantahala National Forest. My 3yo and 6yo did the route without much assistance. Chimneytop Mountain rises to the east. Whiteside Mt. 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