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Sapphire, NC Summer Trip
Posted on 12/16/25 at 8:26 am
Posted on 12/16/25 at 8:26 am
Looking to a take a trip around the Sapphire, NC area this summer. Wanted to avoid the large crowds of Gatlinburg, TN. but still have some mountains similar in size. Anyone who has spent time in this area, where are the best places for trails? Any cool must see things out in this area we should add to our list? Kids are 12 and 8. Based on past experiences we should be able to handle up to 8 mile hikes this year.
1
Posted on 12/16/25 at 10:38 am to lsucm10
It's a nice area with denser forests and lots of water due to high local rainfall. Gorges State Park is good for trails, vista, etc. Kids might enjoy LINK . Billed as a gem mine it's more a 1960's roadside attraction. Western NC is geologically fascinating and does have gem minerals including sapphires. The tourist "mines" are pretty infamous for buying picked over gem gravels from Asia and salting the stream beds.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 12:08 pm to Tree_Fall
Get the AllTrails app.
Gorges has a couple of trails for the family, look up Panthertown for a lot of trails. You will also need to do Whiteside Mountain trail - it's a must. Go to Whitewater falls viewing area. You can also park your car Duke Power Bad Creek project and hike down to the whitewater river and then up to the falls if you like.
As mentioned, there are hundreds of falls in the area.
Also look up Pisgah National Forest north of Brevard and Oconee State Park and numerous State parks in the very north of South Carolina. Note South Carolina will be about 5-10 degrees warner in the summer.
The Blue Ridge parkway is another great place for hikes.
Gorges has a couple of trails for the family, look up Panthertown for a lot of trails. You will also need to do Whiteside Mountain trail - it's a must. Go to Whitewater falls viewing area. You can also park your car Duke Power Bad Creek project and hike down to the whitewater river and then up to the falls if you like.
As mentioned, there are hundreds of falls in the area.
Also look up Pisgah National Forest north of Brevard and Oconee State Park and numerous State parks in the very north of South Carolina. Note South Carolina will be about 5-10 degrees warner in the summer.
The Blue Ridge parkway is another great place for hikes.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 12:29 pm to MAROON
Gorges State Park is a good place to start.
Lots of hiking on 28 between Highlands and Franklin
Silver Run Falls
Chimney Top
There are all kinds of falls hikes in this area.
Lots of hiking on 28 between Highlands and Franklin
Silver Run Falls
Chimney Top
There are all kinds of falls hikes in this area.
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