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.

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Posted by Tree_Fall

Member since Mar 2021

1211 posts

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.

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Posted by MAROON

Houston

Member since Jul 2012

2433 posts

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.

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Posted by Dam Guide

Member since Sep 2005

16678 posts

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.

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Posted by lsucm10

Baton Rouge

Member since Sep 2010

1409 posts

Posted on 4/2/26 at 3:05 pm to MAROON

quote:
Get the AllTrails app.

Used it when we went to the Smokeys a few years ago and often for the trails in the state parks here when we go camping. The trails are easy around here but was still nice to have.

Finally got around to booking and planning the main stuff so far. AllTrails FTW with finding trails!

Day 1: Rainbow, Turtleback and Drift Falls + Stairway Falls
Upper Bearwallow Falls Trail
Gorges State Prk Visitor Center - Looks like a nice one.

Day 2: Dupont State Recreational Forest
Hooker, Triple, Grassy Creek and High Falls (Hunger games movie has a scene from on of these falls)
Big Rock, Ceder Rock, Little River and Corn Mill Shoals Trail

Day 3: Renting a boat in Lake Jocassee.

Day 4: Pisgah National Forest
John Rock Trail Loop
Moore Cove Falls Trail
Sliding Rock

Day 5 TBD

Day 6:
Whiteside Mt Trail
Chimneytop Trail
Silver Run Falls
Whitewater Falls to whitewater River Trail

Got some stuff to figure out but the plan is to be back to the cabin around 5 in the evening to hang out or go out for dinner.