2023 HIGHLANDS NC EXPERIENCE GUIDE
HICKORY KNUT GAP You’ll feel like you’re far away from civilization! This moderate, 3.5-mile, out-and-back trail is great for bird- ing. From the trail head, walk for ap- proximately 0.3 mile to where the trail splits to the right. Follow the blue blazes through the rhododendron canopy to the junction with Bartram Trail at approximately one mile. Turn right onto the yellow-blazed Bartram and continue to the Scaly Mountain summit. Side trails to the left and right also offer amazing views. Be cautious of the bare rock sections, which can be slick when wet or icy. To get there: From Highlands, take N.C. 106 four miles to Turtle Pond Road and turn right. Turn left onto Hickory Knut Gap Road and drive 0.9 mile to the trail, which is a For- est Service Road on the left. Park on the right. HIGHLANDS BOTANICAL GARDEN & HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION Just a half mile from downtown High- lands awaits this is lovely, little jewel with several gardens to explore. The gardens are free and open to the public year-round, from sunrise to sunset. To get there: From Main Street, head northwest as it becomes Horse Cove Road. Look for Highlands Nature Center and park in the gravel area across from it. The garden paths be- gin to the left of the Nature Center, with maps posted along the trails. HIGHLANDS PLATEAU GREENWAY “Connecting the heart of Highlands” is this system of walking and hiking trails that protect and connect the natural settings and historic sites of the area. More than 10 miles of
RABUN BALD This steep hike offers 360-degree views of the Georgia and North Carolina mountains from the second highest point in Georgia. To get here: From Highlands, take NC 106 East (Dillard Rd.) for about 7 miles, then turn left onto Hale Ridge Road. After five or six miles, look for trail marker no. 211 on the left. SATULAH MOUNTAIN The payoff of this hike that begins in downtown Highlands is a peak of 4,543 feet with a 270-degree view to the south, east and west. To get there: Park downtown and walk south, up the hill on 4th St. At the curve, walk straight onto Satulah Road. Continue to the end of the road; then, follow the old roadbed an ad- ditional 0.5-mile to the clearing at the top of the mountain. SLICK ROCK TRAIL This is a simple, 0.2-mile round trip. The hike may be short, but the sum- mit offers an impressive view of the mountains. To get there: From downtown High- lands, take E. Main/Horse Cove Rd. to the end of the pavement. Take the right fork onto Bull Pen Road and continue one mile. On a sharp left curve, look for a pull-off and a steep, unmarked path on the right. SUNSET ROCK This astonishing site is just a few hundred yards from downtown High- lands. Sunset Rock is an ideal choice for a late afternoon stroll. It’s a short, 0.5-mile walk to the top. Beautiful sunsets and views of Brushy Face Mountain unfold over the town, while you sit on a natural amphitheater on slabs of granite.
natural trails and sidewalks are open daily, from sunrise to sunset. To get there: The trail head is on Oak Street between the intersection of S. 3rd St. and S. 2nd St. It is the nexus to any trail on the Greenway. JONES KNOB This portion of the Bartram Trail fea- tures spectacular views, with Jones Knob and Whiterock Mountain be- ing the highlights. An old roadbed leads right to a wildlife manage- ment field. After the trailhead, at the far end of the field, yellow blazes mark Bartram to the right and blue blazes mark the Jones Knob spur trail to left. Follow the blue-blazed trail for .03 mile to a delightful mountaintop view. To get there: Take U.S. 64 West to Turtle Pond Road. Turn left and travel 1.1 miles to SR1678. Turn right on the road (which may be marked Dendy Orchard Road) for 1.4 miles to the top of a hill. Turn left on Jones Gap Road (FR4522) and continue two miles to the park- ing area. The trail leaves the park- ing area on the right. THE NARROWS This is an easy, four-mile round trip hike off Whiteside Cove Road. It features spectacular views of the Chattooga River forced into a nar- row channel, exploding over boul- ders, and revealing an unexpected swimming hole. To get there: From downtown High- lands, take N. 4th St./Horse Cove Road and turn left onto Whiteside Cove Road. Travel 0.9 mile. The trail is on a logging road on the right and descends two miles to The Narrows. You’ll pass a trail to the right, which continues to Bull Pen Bridge on Horse Cove Road. Be sure to return the way you came.
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