Sitting in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina is one of the top destinations for hikers all along the east coast.
Highlands, North Carolina is a hidden gem, with other mountain towns like Asheville and Boone gaining the most tourist attention in the state.
Located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, it’s filled with several waterfalls and hiking trails that you can get to in under an hour.
Keep reading or click through the table of contents below to explore the best easy, moderate, and strenuous hikes near Highlands, North Carolina.
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Easy Hiking Trails Near Highlands, NC
1. Sunset Rock Trail
- Distance: 1.4 mi out and back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: Yes
More of a gravel walking trail than a hiking trail, Sunset Rock Trail kicks off this list because it’s one of the easiest hikes nearby that still packs a great view.
You won’t catch much on your way up, but once you reach the top of this 1.4 mile out and back trail you’re guaranteed a lovely view. You may also come across the occasional vehicle since it’s a gravel trail.
Sunset Rock Trail is an excellent quick adventure for families with kids or anyone looking to catch a sunset. You’ll likely finish this trail in 40 minutes or less, so take your time and soak up the view if you decide to visit. There is a large parking area which makes finding a spot and leaving a non-issue.
READ MORE: The Best Highlands, NC RV Parks
2. Dry Falls

- Distance: 0.4mi out & back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: Yes
What could a list of hiking trails in Highlands be without Dry Falls? This stunning waterfall is one of the top attractions around and is a must-visit if you have never been. The short distance makes it an excellent option for a hike where you can bring the kids along.
Finding a parking spot isn’t an issue here. There are a number of spots in the parking area due to the high amount of traffic and there is usually one available.
The main trail for dry falls will guide you behind the waterfall where the rocks may be wet. Be careful as some areas may be slippery as you make your way along the paved trail. Handrails are available if you need to grab on!
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3. Picklesimer Rock House Falls
- Distance: 1.2mi out and back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Picklesimer Rock House Falls is the final easy hike on this list and one of the more secluded options for hikers looking for a short trail without much traffic.
The drive leading up on Blue Valley Rd is well-maintained, but the trail’s starting point can be difficult to find. When you reach the Google Maps pin, you haven’t actually reached the trailhead. Take the road to the left when you reach the ranger maps and go about 0.25-0.50 miles. Eventually, you will see an unmarked trail on the right that takes you to the trailhead.
Once you find the trailhead you’ll quickly be rewarded with 360-degree views of Picklesimer Rock House Falls that allow you to walk behind it if you wish. There is also a small cave that you can explore.
Moderate Hikes Near Highlands, NC
4. Whiteside Mountain Trail
- Distance: 1.9mi loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Second to dry falls as one of the most popular hikes in Highlands, NC is Whiteside Mountain Trail. This stunning view is only a short drive from downtown and offers one of the most beautiful views in western North Carolina.
Since the trail is a loop, you can choose to go clockwise or counterclockwise. Going counterclockwise is steeper and requires some rock hopping, but both directions offer several points where you can stop and look out at the incredible views.
The route at the beginning is a gravel trail, but then it turns into what you would expect from your normal hiking trail. Some ice may develop during the winter months and the trail can get quite muddy after rainfall, so take that into account when you visit!
There is a small fee per vehicle when visiting this trail.
5. Glen Falls

- Distance: 2.4mi out and back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Highlands, North Carolina is full of several waterfalls that are easy to access. Glen Falls is one of the best there is, and should be one of the first on your list if you’re planning to visit!
This 2.4-mile out and back trail is well-maintained and great to bring kids on. You’ll hear the waterfall your entire way down the path and capture some great views of the falls and picturesque scenes of the mountains nearby. It’s not necessary to go past the third waterfall all the way to the bottom – there isn’t much there if you don’t feel like trekking back out.
There’s plenty of parking at Glenn Falls so you shouldn’t have to worry about finding anywhere when you visit Weekday visits would be best to avoid traffic since this is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Highlands.
READ MORE: Best Hiking Trails Near Brevard, North Carolina
6. Scaly Mountain Trail
- Distance: 3.7mi out and back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Dog Friendly: Yes
One of our favorite options on this list – Scaly Mountain Trail – is perfect if you’re looking for a little challenge with the reward of two beautiful overlooks on the way up.
This hike has a slight elevation gain and can be strenuous if you’re not acclimated to moderate hikes. There isn’t much foot traffic making it a perfect Saturday to take the kids or dogs to see the views off of Scaly Mountain.
There’s a small parking area at Osage Overlook along NC 106/Dillard Road. You’ll find clearly marked signage for the trail and overlook on your way up to the overlooks.
READ MORE: Highlands, North Carolina Waterfalls
Difficult Hiking Near Highlands, NC
7. Nantahala Yellow Mountain Trail

- Distance: 12.8mi out and back
- Difficulty: Hard
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Yellow Mountain Trail may be one of the toughest hikes in western North Carolina. If you’re an experienced hiker looking for the reward of a tough trek with moderate elevation gain, this is the trail for you.
This isn’t the trail to try if you’re just beginning to ease into longer hikes. Starting at Cole Gap, it immediately climbs Cole Mountain and then heads down into Cole Gap. The trail continues to be erratic, going up and down two more peaks until you finally climb the final 2,000-feet to the summit of Yellow Mountain. Overall, Yellow Mountain sits at 5,127 feet making it one of the highest mountains in Highlands!
The trip to the summit of Yellow Mountain is vigorous and tough but offers gorgeous panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and horizon. You can expect the entire hike to take 7-9 hours depending on your fitness level.
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8. Wolf Rock via Bartam Trail
- Distance: 7.5mi out and back
- Difficulty: Hard
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Bartram Trail is an excellent choice for a hike nearby if Yellow Mountain Trail is a bit too challenging or you’re looking for a slightly shorter option. It’s not for the faint of heart but it’s well worth the effort.
There are several viewpoints along Bartram trail, but about 2 miles into the trail you’ll find a sign for White Rock Mountain. The trip only adds about half a mile onto the hike overall and offers some of the trail’s most spectacular views. The most difficult portion of this hike is the trek back which immediately climbs 1,000+ feet in elevation. It may be challenging for novice hikers.
The best time to visit this hike would be in the late fall or early winter in our opinion. The gorgeous setting off White Rock Mountain combined with the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains is unbeatable.
Bonus: If you’re looking for additional hikes, the Jones Gap parking area leads to Jones Knobs and Fishhawk Mountain which are also worth seeing!