Cullowhee, North Carolina

Top Spots in and near Cullowhee

  • Canton, North Carolina

    Graveyard Ridge Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail Loop

    3.89 mi / 623 ft gain
    Graveyard Ridge Trail and Mountains to Sea Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Canton, North Carolina.
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Graveyard Fields-Black Balsam Knob Circuit

    4.4
    9.83 mi / 1522 ft gain
    When the weather is in your favor, these treeless mountain tops will have your jaw on the floor with layers upon layers of Blue Ridge Mountains. This hike can be done in one day, but with panoramic views at multiple points, you'll want to take your time along this link of trails. This ~10-mile l...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields

    4.3
    Graveyard Fields got it's name years ago from wind-thrown tree trunks that gave the appearance of a graveyard, until 1925 when an intense fire swept through the area, destroying the stumps. The forest has been recovering ever since. The parking area for Graveyard Fields is located at milepost 41...
    Read more
  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Bouldering Granite City

    5.0
    0.3 mi / 96 ft gain
    At the foot of Blackrock Mountain just outside of Highlands, North Carolina, lies one of the most unique and secluded natural playgrounds around.  Granite City is composed of several massive granite boulders, ranging between 10-40 feet tall.  This spot is most popular for bouldering (mostly V0-V2...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    East Fork Overlook

    Perched at milepost 418.3 at an elevation around 4,955 ft, East Fork Overlook offers one of the most striking panoramic views along this stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook looks out over the headwaters of the East Fork of the Pigeon River and surrounding ridgelines. What to Expec...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Explore Old 288 and the Lands Creek Bridge

    2.5
    1 mi
    NC 288 was constructed in the 1920's, but did not last long with the construction of the Fontana Dam as the resulting lake covered the highway. The U.S. government entered an agreement in which they would provide a replacement road, but to this day it has not been completed and is know by locals ...
    Read more
  • Sapphire, North Carolina

    John's Jump Falls and DEW Falls

    4.0
    0.59 mi / 39 ft gain
    John's Jump Falls and DEW Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Sapphire, North Carolina.
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Skinny Dip Falls

    4.8
    1.03 mi / 148 ft gain
    Park at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. After enjoying the view of Looking Glass Rock, gear up and head to the right side of the parking area (right side if your back is to the overlook). On the opposite side of the road you'll see a mile marker and a little trail to the left of the marker. Foll...
    Read more
  • Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

    Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls in Gorges SP

    4.5
    3.91 mi / 778 ft gain
    Rainbow Falls is one of the most scenic waterfalls in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Horsepasture River swells in the rainy season, dumping a cascade of water 150 feet. The plume of mist at the bottom creates a distinct rainbow effect, giving the falls its name. Hike to Rainbow Falls ...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Shining Rock via Shining Creek Trail

    4.3
    8.69 mi / 2569 ft gain
    There are several ways to access the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, but go for the main trail head off of Hwy 276. The trail is split by the Pigeon River, providing a seemingly infinite combinations of trails and routes, keeping in mind that this area intersects often with the well known Art Lobe ...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Hike Big East Fork Shining Rock Loop

    4.0
    14 mi
    We began this trip by camping overnight in Graveyard Fields. Those camp sites are .5 miles from the car, so we kept our food there over night. Bear activity has increased, so it's strongly advised to bring a bear canister and be wise about food storage. We woke up early the next morning made bre...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop

    14.14 mi / 3671 ft gain
    Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...
    Read more
  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP

    5.0
    3.92 mi / 840 ft gain
    Kephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came.  During th...
    Read more
  • Cashiers, North Carolina

    Explore Whitewater Falls

    4.0
    0.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains with the upper falls alone dropping over 400 feet. The walk to the falls is very short and friendly for all ages and abilities - the path is paved so the falls are wheelchair accessible. The falls are beautiful in all seasons b...
    Read more
  • Brevard, North Carolina

    Hike to John Rock

    5.0
    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This 5 mile loop begins at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and State Fish Hatchery near Brevard, NC. Ample parking is available adjacent to the trailhead with bathrooms and water accessible. Grab a map from inside as well. To start the hike, look at the education center, to the left is t...
    Read more
  • Canton, North Carolina

    Pounding Mill Overlook

    Pounding Mill Overlook, situated at milepost 413.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a top-tier viewpoint offering sweeping panoramic vistas of the Pisgah National Forest and its surrounding peaks. Perched at approximately 4,700 feet elevation, this overlook provides a rare vantage to view Looking ...
    Read more