Cashiers/Highlands Area
A magnet for upscale living, the Highlands-Cashiers plateau is perfect for those seeking a retreat from city life and a connection to nature. With elevations up to 4,100 feet, Highlands offers refreshing mountain air and stunning views. Just 10 miles east, Cashiers provides equally captivating scenery. Home to boutique shopping, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and Carolina barbecue, the true allure lies in the natural beauty. The Nantahala National Forest provides endless outdoor adventures, hiking, waterfalls, fishing, etc. Ideal for summer getaways, the area is a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Quick Facts
Staff Picks
Restaurants
- The Ugly Dog Public House, Highlands/Cashiers
- Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar, Cashiers
- The Secret Garden, Highlands
- 4118 Kitchen + Bar, Highlands
- Wild Thyme Gourmet, Cashiers
- Madison’s, Cashiers
- Canyon Kitchen, Sapphire
Hikes
- Silver Run Falls Trailhead, Cashiers
- Whitewater Falls, Cashiers
- Cold Mountain Gap, Lake Toxaway
- Yellow Mountain Fire Tower, Highlands
- Panthertown Valley, Glenville
Shopping
- Dovetail Antiques, Cashiers
- VC for Men, Cashiers
- Rusticks, Cashiers
- Dutchmans Designs, Highlands
- Wit's End Shops, Highlands
A magnet for upscale living and summer homes, the Highlands-Cashiers plateau is a haven for those seeking respite from city life and a connection to nature. Enjoy the charm and tranquility of this pristine mountain region, perfect for building your dream home. With elevations reaching up to 4,100 feet, Highlands is one of the highest incorporated towns east of the Rockies, offering mountain air and stunning views. Just 10 miles east, Cashiers provides equally captivating scenery.
Highlands and Cashiers are home to refined boutique shopping, luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and the renowned Carolina barbecue. The true allure lies in the natural beauty that surrounds these towns. The Nantahala National Forest envelops the area, providing endless opportunities for outdoor adventures.
From hiking up Whiteside Mountain to marvel at panoramic views, to exploring the hidden trails leading to Secret Falls and Silver Cove Falls, the region is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. For those looking to fish, the rivers around Highlands and Cashiers are teeming with rainbow, brook, and brown trout, offering a rewarding experience for both novice and seasoned fly-fishermen. The 6,300-acre Panthertown Valley near Cashiers features over 25 miles of trails through diverse habitats.
Historically popular for Atlanta-based families, the Highlands-Cashiers area is an ideal summer getaway to escape the heat. Its cool mountain climate makes it perfect for outdoor activities from late May through the end of summer. Easily accessible, it’s about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Atlanta and 70 miles southwest of Asheville.