Bridal Veil Falls, Franklin/Highlands

Bridal  Veil Falls is a fun walk to the 120-foot waterfall, which is located  about 2.5 miles west of Highlands on Hwy 64. It is on a tributary of the  Cullasaja River. There is a little loop off the highway so you can  drive right under the falls, but will sneak up on you. If you miss it,  pull off after the waterfall in the wide area on the right and park or  circle back around.

Bull Pen Falls, Cashiers

Bull  Pen is as much rapid as waterfall. While not the most dramatic falls in  the area, this is a great place to hang out for a while and explore the  Chattooga River Trail. (Credit GoCashiers) However, white water  rafting, canoeing, and kayaking is prohibited in this section of the  Chattooga. The falls can be easily viewed at the bridge or you can take a  short trail just past the west side of the bridge to the top of the  cascade. At the bottom of the cascade, the powerful Chattooga has carved  deep swirl-holes in the rock. Over thousands of years, small pebbles  and grains of sand were swirled around by the water to create these  holes. Several hiking trails are in the area, including a new loop trail  that follows the river upstream. Plus, this is a popular spot for fly  fishing.

Quarry Falls, or, "Bust Your Butt Falls", Sapphire

A  popular swimming and sliding area along U.S. Highway 64 is "Bust Your  Butt Falls" (also known as Quarry Falls or Bust-Yer-Butt Falls). For  added excitement, there is a "jump off" rock for diving into the chilly  waters. It's six miles west of Highlands on U.S. 64 (about 3 miles from  Dry Falls). (Courtesy Romantic Asheville)

Cullasaja Falls, Franklin/Highlands

Big  falls at 250ft and considered to be one of the most picturesque falls in western North Carolina. This fall is the first seen from U.S. 64/28.  The falls are spectacular and this wavy strip of U.S. 64/28 is a paved marvel of highway. A real hang onto your hat kind of road but well worth  the drive. Directions: Located on U.S. 64/28 between Highlands and Franklin

Lower Cullasaja Falls

The lower portion of Cullasaja Falls is a cascade of water which flows about 250 ft down. It is located on the Cullasaja River at the lower  part of the Cullasaja Gorge. It is part of the Mountain Water Scenic  Byway. Cullasaja Falls is only visible from your car; there is no  adequate pull-off from the road. Directions: Cullasaja is located off  U.S. 64, 11 miles east of Franklin, 9 miles west of Highlands in the  Cullasaja Gorge.

Drift Falls, Cashiers

This  waterfall is somewhere around 80 feet long. It doesn't drop straight  down like a traditional waterfall, but instead slides at close to a  45-degree grade. This waterfall can be used as a water slide by the  brave and hard-headed. From Cashiers follow US-64 10 miles east to  Sapphire. Turn right on the 'Whitewater' Road and then south about 3  miles to the Horsepasture River.

Dry Falls, Highlands

Dry  Falls is in the Nantahala National Forest. You can see it from the road  and no, it's not dry! There is an old log shelter at the trail-head. A  lot of water pours over this wide waterfall. There is a well maintained  path that leads a short distance down from the parking area. The path  doesn't end at the falls but travels under the falls. It's a breath  taking experience to stand under the falls and watch millions of gallons  of clear mountain water pour over your head and before your eyes at a  height of 75 ft. Directions: On U.S. 64/28 four miles from Highlands.

Glen Falls, Highlands

Glen  Falls is a must see. This is a favorite and probably one of the most  beautiful waterfall setting in the Highlands area! It's a great hike and  I always like to take a back pack with sandwiches and snacks! Glen  Falls is on the east fork of Overflow Creek in the scenic Blue Valley  area in Nantahala National Forest. The hike is down hill from the  parking lot, so it's quite a climb

to  return. There are quite a few switchbacks, so the climb is not too  steep. As you descend, you will reach a beautiful view from the top of  Glen Falls .Continue down hill to the upper section of the waterfall,  dropping about 70 feet. There is plenty of room to rest and relax on the  rocks at the base of the falls and maybe have a picnic. Continue about  1/3 mile to the middle section of the falls that drop 60 feet, with  water stair-stepping down a wide rock face.

Frolictown Falls, Panthertown Cashiers

Frolictown  Falls is a small but nice waterfall in Panthertown Valley. Hiking in  this area, you really get the feel of being in the woods. There are no  panoramas from this thickly vegetated valley floor. Be sure to get a map  of Panthertown Valley or find someone to lead you, as the trails can be tricky.

Lookingglass Falls, Pisgah Forest

A  beautiful waterfall along an incredible forest drive in Pisgah. This is  an easy waterfall to get to without any hiking needed. Just pull over  along the street (plenty of easy parking) and walk up to the huge  mountain face that bears a cascading waterfall, Lookingglass.

The Narrows, Sapphire

The beautiful Narrows waterfall is located on the Horsepasture River in Sapphire Valley.

Enjoy the scenic trails that lead you to different sections of the river!

Rainbow Falls, Sapphire

Rainbow  Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue  Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-foot tall waterfall is  impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture  River, its source. The best feature of Rainbow Falls is the ability for  visitors to experience the falls from the front, bottom, side, and top!  (courtesy Romantic Asheville)

Schoolhouse Falls, Panthertown Cashiers

Among  the many hikes and waterfalls in Panthertown, Schoolhouse Falls is one  of our favorites. This moderately easy hike takes you to a beautiful  waterfall cascading into a swimming cove. This is a great spot to bring a  picnic and relax in the sun.

Silver Run Falls, Cashiers

Just moments from Sapphire, a few miles South on 107. A short and enjoyable  hike, where you even get to cross a tree fallen across the creek. Very easy walk with a picturesque finale.

Sliding Rock Falls, Pisgah Forest

Sliding  Rock is a natural water slide, created by the Chattooga River gliding  over a 10-foot high rock face with a few large potholes. It's a popular  local spot during the summer because the water is quite cool. You can  slide down the rock, cannonball into one of the potholes or just wade in  the pool below the rock.

Turtleback Falls, Sapphire

These  falls offer a 20-foot drop over a curved rock face into a pool that can  have strong currents. At lower water levels, it's a popular spot to go  sliding and swimming. You should be a good swimmer, since there are no  lifeguards. The rocks and currents can make it dangerous if  inexperienced. Do not attempt to slide when water is high, since the  rushing water can take you down river over Rainbow Falls (150 ft drop so  do not get too close!). There are several great vantage points to enjoy  the falls - and the people sliding. (courtesy Romantic Asheville)

Whiteside Mountain, Highlands

A landmark in the Nantahala National Forest, the Whiteside hike rises to  an elevation of 4,930 feet, located between Cashiers and Highlands. A  loop trail takes you on top of sheer 750-foot high cliffs with  incredible views (from the safety of railings of course). This hike is a  favorite of ours.

Whitewater Falls, Cashiers

These falls are awesome! This is the highest set of falls east of the Rocky  Mountains having a total drop of almost 700 feet. Upper Whitewater Falls  plunge an amazing 411 feet! South Carolina's Lower Whitewater Falls  drops another 400 feet. In the cool, moist shade of steep slopes and  rock cliffs, wildflowers and salamanders are plentiful. Also enjoy the  beauty of berries and blooms throughout the seasons.