For 150 years, the town of Highlands, NC, has been a gateway to scenic and historic paths in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Long before settlers arrived, local trails were used by the Cherokee as hunting paths and trade routes. From ancient footpaths to wagon roads to hiking trails, today, the pathways of Highlands invite you to walk in the footsteps of those who shaped this mountain community.

THE HISTORIC KELSEY TRAIL: A FIRST OF ITS KIND

One of the most famous and historic trails in Highlands is the Kelsey Trail. Originally built in 1883, this trail was envisioned by Highlands co-founder Samuel T. Kelsey as a bridal path to Whiteside Mountain. Today, the trail, which extends one-mile roundtrip from the end of N. 5th Street, follows an old oxcart route, winding through primeval forests of hemlocks and rhododendrons. The trail, owned and maintained by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, passes through Bear Pen Gap and offers hikers a moderate challenge as it connects with Rhododendron Park.

Though parts of the trail have changed, its historical significance remains intact. It once led 4.5 miles all the way to within a quarter mile of the top of the Whiteside Mountain, with a side trail leading to Highlands Falls, now part of Highlands Falls Country Club, and the main trail ending at a Cherokee Indian campground. It was a popular route for both hikers and wagons. While only a portion of the original trail is accessible today, walking the Kelsey Trail is like stepping back in time to the days when the town's founders were carving paths through the wilderness.

WHITESIDE MOUNTAIN: A MONUMENT TO THE PAST

Whiteside Mountain, with its sheer cliffs rising to an elevation of 4,930 feet and featuring breathtaking views, has long been a landmark for travelers. The two-mile round-trip hike to the summit follows a trail steeped in history, once used by the Cherokee and later by early European settlers. Climbing several hundred feet in elevation, hikers are rewarded at the top with sweeping views that extend across North Carolina and Georgia.

This ancient mountain, estimated to be 390 to 460 million years old, has stood as a silent witness to the passage of time, its cliffs weathered by centuries of wind and rain. As you walk the path to the summit, you’re following in the footsteps of generations who came before, drawn by the same spectacular views and natural grandeur. You may even catch a glimpse of peregrine falcons which nest along the cliffs!

SATULAH MOUNTAIN: A LEGACY OF CONSERVATION

The summit of Satulah Mountain, protected over a century ago by what would become the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust (HCLT), marks a pivotal chapter in local conservation efforts. In 1909, a group of concerned citizens raised $500 to conserve the summit, ensuring it would remain a natural sanctuary for public enjoyment. This early act of preservation laid the foundation for HCLT, which now oversees more than 3,400 acres in the Highlands and Cashiers area, including 100 acres at Satulah Mountain Preserve.

Standing at 4,543 feet, Satulah Mountain is one of the tallest peaks along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The hike to its summit is a strenuous 3+ mile round trip from town, featuring steep inclines and uneven terrain, leading hikers to a spectacular 270-degree vista that stretches over North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Historically, the trail was accessible by horse or oxcart, and later by jeeps and trucks servicing a fire tower. Today, the trail includes features such as the remains of a stone shelter house previously used by those wishing to spend the night on the mountain and the site of the former fire tower where Samuel Kelsey, the co-founder of Highlands, was in-spired to establish the town. Standing at the summit, you’ll feel a sense of connection to those who came before, gazing out over a landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

As Highlands celebrates its 150th anniversary, these "Pathways of the Past" remind us of the town’s rich history and its enduring connection to the natural world. Whether you’re hiking an ancient trail or following a historic road, these paths invite you to explore both the beauty and the history of this special corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains.