Highlands

At the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountain, at an elevation of over 4,000 feet, lies the mountain community of Highlands, North Carolina. Founded in 1875, Highlands evolved as a health and summer resort town on the highest plateau of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina. At an elevation of over 4,000 feet, Highlands stands tall in the high country with surrounding mountains that soar to heights of more than 5,000 feet. The year round population of the Highlands area is about 4,500 and Cashiers is about 2,500, while in the summer the area swells to over 25,000 folks. Unlike most resort towns, the majority of our summer visitors are also homeowners and the town has created a community of concerned citizens and cultural organizations with many diverse activities. Rarely is it possible for such a small town to offer the array of services found in Highlands. Medical needs are met with a full-service hospital and a staff of general practitioners and specialists. The cultural amenities include professional theatre, chamber music concerts, cabarets, art exhibits and other special events. A variety of educational classes and informative seminars are also available. Highlands gives you a range of choices and somehow manages to nurture your spirit at the same time. Within the four blocks of Main Street and adjacent streets that make up the center of town, Highlands is a charming blend of country and city cultures. With the rare combination of scenic beauty and ideal climate, Highlands has much to offer in the way of sightseeing and outdoor recreation. Among the many outdoor activities enjoyed are golf, tennis, hiking, swimming and fishing. For the more adventurous, there is whitewater rafting, rappelling and snow skiing. Spring, summer, fall and winter ? each of the seasons offers its own unique set of outdoor adventures that attract residents and visitors alike to revel in the magnificent splendors of the mountains. It?s this combination of natural and civilized which is so unique.

Cashiers is located about twelve miles from Highlands at an elevation of about 3,500 feet. Surrounded by National Forest, with rich histories, cool summer temperatures and enviable way of life, Highlands and Cashiers have long been a haven for Southerners and Floridians. Whether you are a retiree considering a second home or a professional searching for a point of renewal, these two communities offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The tremendous natural beauty includes lush mountains, picturesque lakes, pristine streams and cascading waterfalls. With mild summer temperatures which rarely exceed the upper 70?s, outdoor activity abounds with hiking for all skill levels, fly-fishing, rock climbing and mountain biking. However, the king of outdoor sports here is golf, with courses designed by such masters as Arnold Palmer, Donald Ross, Morris Haltalsky, Tom Fazio and George Cobb. The village also offers unique shopping whether it is antiques, local crafts, beautiful artwork, or sophisticated clothing. At the end of the day, residents and visitors relax by a roaring fire with a good book or dine in one of the wonderful restaurants which offer up classic continental cuisine or down home Carolina cooking. The pace of life is such that you can do things you seldom have time to do. Amble along a trail or take a leisurely tour in your car, exploring, find majestic mountain views, weathered barns, magnificent waterfalls and rushing brooks. Here the beauty is natural, not man made. So much beauty, so much to do, so little time to enjoy Cashiers.

Lake Glenville