Cashiers and Sapphire Valley: A Day Trip Guide from Highlands

Cashiers is the next town east of Highlands on US 64, about 25 minutes from Fairview House. It doesn’t have a main street. The town grew up around a crossroads, where US 64 meets NC 107, and its shops and restaurants are spread along both roads. Sapphire Valley sits a few miles farther east and has the area’s public golf course and a small ski hill. Together they make an easy half-day or full-day outing, and a good way to split up a big group.

On the way: Whiteside Mountain

Whiteside Mountain is between Highlands and Cashiers, just off US 64. The trail is a 2-mile loop to a summit at 4,930 feet, with sheer cliffs that rise more than 2,100 feet above the forest. The climb is steady but short. The summit ridge has cable railings at the steepest overlooks. Peregrine falcons nest on the cliffs. There is a small per-vehicle parking fee, so bring cash.

The Cashiers crossroads

The Village Green (160 Frank Allen Road) is a 13.2-acre park right at the crossroads. It has walking paths through lawns, wetlands and woods, picnic spots, and signs about local raptors, bees, native plants and bears. From May through October it hosts Locally Grown on the Green, a Wednesday market. Summer brings Groovin’ on the Green concerts, and fall brings the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival. In July, some Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival concerts are held at Lewis Hall on the Green.

Shops are clustered in small centers along US 64 and NC 107, including Chestnut Square, Village Walk and Slab Town Road. Expect home furnishings, clothing and gift shops. Park once at the Village Green and walk.

Where to eat in Cashiers

• Cornucopia Restaurant (16 Cashiers School Road). Open-air dining on a big porch, in business for more than 40 years. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.
• Zookeeper Bistro (Slab Town Road). A local favorite with a cozy dining room.
• Cashiers Farmers Market (78 US 64). A family-run produce and specialty market since 1995, with pies, jams, cheese and wine. Its On the Side window sells barbecue and sandwiches to go.
• Sapphire Mountain Brewing Company (50 Slicers Avenue, Sapphire). Wood-fired pizza, sandwiches and local beer, overlooking the 8th and 18th holes at Sapphire National.

Need a big grocery run? Ingles is at 230 US 64 East in Cashiers. See our groceries and catering guide.

Panthertown Valley

Panthertown Valley is a backcountry area of about 6,300 acres in the Nantahala National Forest, north of Cashiers. People call it the Yosemite of the East for its granite domes and cliffs. The main trailhead, Salt Rock Gap, is reached from Cashiers on gravel Forest Service roads with potholes. Popular goals include Schoolhouse Falls, a 25-foot cascade into a tea-colored pool, and the sandy beach at Sandbar Pool.

• The area reopened after Hurricane Helene, but crews were still clearing downed trees, so expect some debris.
• There are no restrooms, water, trash cans or staff. Cell service is unreliable. Download a map before you go.
• Parking fills early on weekends. Carpool and arrive early.

Sapphire Valley

Sapphire National Golf Club (50 Slicers Avenue, Sapphire) bills itself as the only golf course in the Highlands, Cashiers and Sapphire area that is open to the public. It is an 18-hole, par-70 course designed by Ron Garl, with a waterfall beside the 13th and an island green on the 15th. Book tee times on the club’s website. It is about 30 minutes from Fairview House.

Ski Sapphire Valley is a small ski area with a 1,600-foot main run, a 200-foot vertical drop, a quad lift, a learning slope and the Frozen Falls tube park. It is built for beginners and kids. The season depends on cold weather and snowmaking and usually runs through the winter months. Groups of 10 or more can arrange visits through the Sapphire Valley community center. Check opening status before you drive over.

Lake Glenville

Lake Glenville is a reservoir of about 1,450 acres just north of the Cashiers crossroads on NC 107. It has 26 miles of shoreline and is often called the highest lake east of the Mississippi. Duke Energy runs two public access areas. Pine Creek has a boat ramp, restrooms and a designated swim area. The Powerhouse site has a ramp and accessible facilities. For more lakes, see our lakes guide.

A Cashiers day for a big group

1. Morning: Hikers climb Whiteside Mountain. Everyone else drives on to Cashiers for coffee and shopping.
2. Midday: Regroup for lunch at Cornucopia, or grab barbecue from the Farmers Market and picnic on the Village Green.
3. Afternoon: Golfers play Sapphire National. Families swim at Pine Creek on Lake Glenville in summer.
4. Evening: Head back to Highlands for dinner. It’s about a 25-minute drive.

Want to go farther? Day trips from Highlands covers Whitewater Falls and Gorges State Park, both a short drive past Sapphire.