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. Warmed up as we got to the top and sun. Tons of wonderful views. Named for its sheer, white cliffs, this mountain rises more than 2,100 feet above the Nantahala National Forest. It's a two-mile, family/pet-friendly loop. Please choose a different date. I work out every day, and I was winded. A 2-mile moderate loop trail to the summit features magnificent views from ridgetops. Access Points For The Whiteside Trail Loop. This is a self service fee location. 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. One of the best overall hikes for all levels. 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. Die 2 mile Loop Trail bringt Sie auf den spektakulären Ausblicken. Great views in the morning hours! The next time I do this trail. Once on the trail, we went the shorter more strenuous, rooty and rocky route - to the right (counterclockwise). There are many overlooks and look out spots. We parked our truck and made our way up the wide trail. I took the right side trail up, it is much more of an incline than the left route. Attractions: A two-mile loop trail climbs above the sheer 750-foot high cliffs and offers outstanding views to the east, south, and west. 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. 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. Take a camera, as the cliff-top views are lined with beautiful mountain laurel which blooms in mid-June. There is at least one ten pitch climb of over 750 feet on the mountain. Directions from Highlands, NC: Located between Highlands and Cashiers off US 64. 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. Due to erosion, Whiteside Mountain now boasts the highest vertical cliffs in the eastern United States—about 1,800 feet. Whiteside Mountain can boast the highest cliffs in Eastern North America. Would have been rough going up with the kids on the right. Share your experience by blogging your hiking, traveling, outdoor fitness stories and GPX on a map. Below, the Chattooga, a nationally designated Wild and Scenic River, begins its course down the Blue Ridge escarpment. Chimneytop Mountain rises to the east. It has some of the highest sheer cliffs east of the Mississippi, at 1,000 feet. The 4,930 ft (1,500 m) Whiteside Mountain is in Jackson County, North Carolina. The overlook will be on the right. 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. Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail. 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. Beautiful views of the surrounding area can be seen from vantage points all along the trail. 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. 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. $3 per vehicle and an additional $1 per person. 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 What an amazing trail this is. Only a few of the 30 people we walked past had masks. Perhaps one of the best trails in the area for a panoramic view is the Whiteside Mountain Trail. amazing views, haven't been on this trail in 24 years. I can certainly understand why some make the effort to hike up to watch the sunrise from the top. Most rewarding hike for the distance. Whiteside Mountain is a very popular Hike in the Southern Nantahala National Forest, just outside of Highlands NC. Dogs are welcome on the trail, as long as they are cleaned up after and remain on a leash. along the eastern Continental Divide, which offers spectacular views from a high ridge top, 2,100' above the valley floor. Started left - would recommend as its an easy start and the hard part is downhill, not up. Trail Segments. 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. However, more commonly seen by visitors and often mistaken for falcons are turkey vultures and black vultures. GO EARLY. Whiteside Mountain Trail is rated more difficult because of its steepness. Sie werden … 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. 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. Allowed Uses: Hiking; Length: 451 ft; Whiteside Mountain - Woods Section. Note that you may have to walk very close to people on some stretches and there is a lot of heavy breathing. Let the world see your experience through your eyes. We got there at 9:30 and pretty much had the trail to ourselves. Highly recommend this hike. Attractions: A two-mile loop trail climbs above the sheer 750-foot high cliffs and offers outstanding views to the east, south and west. The trail peaks at .75 miles, reaching Whiteside Mountain’s summit of 4,930 feet. parts of the trails were muddy but nothing that couldn't be circumnavigated. Drove from ATL to get here for sunrise. Ask fellow travelers and attraction managers your top questions. 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. At a Glance Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Whiteside Mt. It was cold and windy at the start though. 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. Was very windy and chilly at 7:30 am. 2 mile hike through some of God's most beautiful creations. The two-mile loop trail climbs above sheer cliffs and offers outstanding views. Whiteside Mountain Loop Trail. Whiteside Mountain Sunrise If you want to see the sunrise in the Western North Carolina mountains this is a great place to do it. Once on the trail, we went the shorter more strenuous, rooty and rocky route - to the right (counterclockwise). This is a short but extremely beautiful scenic trail. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Informational signs along the top of the mountain. Whiteside Mountain Trail is a must-do when in Highlands/Cashiers. The high ridgetop above the steep south-facing cliffs offers spectacular views of other mountains in the area. get to the top to see the sun come up. We hiked it the day after a hard rain and it was muddy and wet but passable in tennis shoes. Lookouts in multiple places,see for miles. From this trail one can peer 750 feet down into the valley below. Whiteside Mountain Hike. Views extend in vast panoramas, reaching down the mountain’s towering spine, and stretching far and wide. Go 5.5 miles to the Whiteside Mountain Road sign and turn right on NC 1600. Location: Whiteside Mountain is located south of U.S. 64 between Highlands and Cashiers. 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. Whiteside Mountain Rd Cashiers, NC, NC 28717. 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. Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. 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. Whiteside Mountain Trail is a must-do when in Highlands/Cashiers. Cole Mountain and Shortoff Mountain via Yellow Mountain Trail, Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail. Very safe with a fence at main openings. Pictured below is a raptor's perspective of Whiteside Mountain Peregrine falcons are rarer… Ramblr is a geo located stories and blogging app for nature lovers with GPS or iPhone / Android. Also, there is parking, but the later in the day you go, the less parking spot you'll find. 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. Moderately strenuous 2 mile, 1-hour hike taking you from ~4100 to 4900 feet. 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. ... Whiteside Mountain Whiteside Mountain Rd. 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. Great views!!. Keep left for a gravel easy walk the whole way. The Whiteside Trail is located on the slopes of Lookout Mountain in the Chattanooga Unit of … Webseite. Great hike to some great views, but take the left path! You can't park on the street as it's a neighborhood. 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. Great trail. The Whiteside Mountain Trail is designated a National Recreation Trail and is a component of the National Trail System. Well worth taking. Whiteside Mountain is a mountain in Jackson County, North Carolina between Cashiers, Highlands, North Carolina, and the Georgia border. Seasonal Peregrine Falcon Closures: Typically from early January until late summer routes left of Traditions are closed for falcon nesting. Whiteside Mountain. It's a two-mile, family/pet-friendly loop. This jaw-dropping spectacle is six miles from town on US 64 East. Whiteside Mountain. has the highest sheer cliffs in the Eastern US. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows: Whiteside Mountain - Parking Lot to Split. more. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. KEEP FOLLOWING the trail… The hike is nearly 2 miles long and will take you to beautiful wildflowers along the way. Geologists believe Whiteside to be one of the oldest mountains in the world at 360 to 490 million years old. 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. The mountain’s cliffs look like sheets of ice draped across the mountain. Gear: A … Hikers can enjoy the moderate two-mile loop trail that leads around Whiteside Mountain to its summit at 4,930 feet. After some discussions with other hikers apparently it’s much easier to go the opposite way up - to the left (clockwise). WATERFALL VIDEOS. A landmark along the Eastern Continental Divide, Whiteside Mountain rises to an elevation of 4,930 feet. Amazing. If you reach the sign for the entrance to the Whiteside Mountain Trail, you have gone too far. The mountain's cliffs look like sheets of ice draped across the mountain. Small children should be watched closely. Whiteside Mountain Trail With sheer, vertical cliffs that tower above the valley below, this trail features one of the county’s most recognizable peaks. Easy hike that you can do in an hour with time to spare. When you encounter the service road, turn left continuing downhill. Go one mile to a well-marked parking area on the left. No other climbers. Hiked with 6&4 year old and they loved it. If you arrive about an hour before sunset you will see a beautiful sunset on the way down. Get your Ramblr app today! Finished at 11:30 and the parking lot was a zoo with peo on the street, everywhere. To the north Shortoff and Yellow Mountain are prominent. It's a loop trail, so you can start from the left path or the right path. An old-growth forest of northern red oaks, with trunks twisted by strong winds and ice storms, is found at the summit. a must if you are in the area. 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). Allowed Uses: Hiking; Length: 0.33 mi On a Wednesday 11am in November it was heavily trafficked. Turn right at the sign onto Whiteside Mountain Road. Nice woods, rock formations. It is a beautiful hike with amazing views and worth the visit! I wouldn't want to drive all the way here, then can't hike because of no parking. 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