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Highlands, North Carolina

Looking for the best running in Highlands? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Highlands. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Running Spots in and near Highlands

  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Hike to Cowee Bald Fire Tower

    4.4 mi / 400 ft gain
    The Cowee Bald Fire Tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City North Carolina. To get there you can either drive almost all the way to the top about .2 miles from the top but to get there you will need to have a 4WD or a higher clearance vehicle to cross a small stream. Ho...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    Start the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...
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  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

    3.0
    1.03 mi / 266 ft gain
    Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cleveland, South Carolina.
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  • Cedar Mountain, North Carolina

    Hike to Fawn Lake

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Fawn Lake sits on the backside of DuPont State Forest, about a 15 minute drive from the High Falls Parking/ Visitor Center as well as Hooker Falls parking lots. With easy access and easy terrain, this is a must see to add to the list. While sometimes the main parking lots and trails of DuPont can...
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  • Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia

    Unicoi Gap and Indian Grave Gap Loop

    5.0
    5.04 mi / 1765 ft gain
    The Unicoi Gap and Indian Grave Gap Loop in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, is a moderately challenging hiking trail. Spanning approximately 5.04 miles, the loop offers a variety of terrain, including forested areas, open fields, and rocky paths. The trail is known for its two significant landmarks: U...
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  • Easley, South Carolina

    Doodle Trail

    5.0
    7.64 mi / 358 ft gain
    Doodle Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Easley, South Carolina.
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  • Helen, Georgia

    Hike the Unicoi Lake Trail

    1.9 mi
    Unicoi State Park is a pleasant, refreshing park just outside of Helen, GA. There is a hiking trail, kayaking/canoeing launch, paddle boat rentals, camping area, and even a 3 segment zipline course (all three were fantastic)! Fishing is allowed, and when we went last there were a few kayakers fis...
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  • Helen, Georgia

    Raven Cliff Falls

    4.6
    4.78 mi / 584 ft gain
    The hike to Raven Cliff Falls round-trip is about 5 miles. The scenery is amazing the whole way through with beautiful cascading waterfalls and running streams filled with wildlife everywhere you look. Along the way, there are a few campsites where during the warm months you'll see many tents set...
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  • Cleveland, Georgia

    Mount Yonah Trail

    4.17 mi / 1430 ft gain
    Mount Yonah Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Cleveland, Georgia.
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  • Upper Tremont Road, Tennessee

    Hike to Indian Flat Falls via Middle Prong Trail

    4.5
    7.21 mi / 1140 ft gain
    One of the best trails in the Smokies is the Middle Prong Trail. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts and cascades. Once you've parked, you'll start at the trail head and immediately see your first cascade. From the trailhead hikers will cro...
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Gatlinburg Trail

    5.0
    3.8 mi / 351 ft gain
    Gatlinburg Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Twin Creeks Trail

    4.0
    4.54 mi / 879 ft gain
    Twin Creeks Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
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  • Asheville, North Carolina

    Run through Carrier Park

    If you're in Asheville, NC and want a fun place to be outside, buzzing with activity-- you'll need to check out Carrier Park. Here, you can run along the trails, bike in the Velodrome (former race track), launch your kayak or inner tube from one of the free launches, hammock from a tree, do yoga ...
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