The Cullasaja River Gorge

Cullasaja Falls

Originating at Lake Sequoyah, the Cullasaja River carves a deep and magnificent path through the Southern Appalachians to form the Cullasaja River Gorge. The river flows West from Highlands N.C. and is paralleled by The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway (US-64), a serpentine two-lane highway precariously pressed between towering granite rock faces and the plunging depths of the gorge. Traversing more than 60 miles of the Nanthahala National Forest, this scenic highway twists and turns through the first 15 miles like a roller-coaster through a wilderness wonderland. There are numerous pull-offs along the road offering spectacular views of the gorge and providing access to the area's many waterfalls.

Bridal Veil Falls is fed by a tributary to the Cullasaja River and is located 1.2 miles West of Highlands on US-64. The falls are difficult to miss, as they plummet 120 feet from a granite bluff overhang above the highway, crashing into a rocky pool on the opposing side of the road. This unique joining of road and waterway allows visitors to literally, drive beneath the falls.


Dry Falls

Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja or High Falls, are located just a few miles further West of Bridal Veil Falls, and while you would have a difficult time driving a car behind the falls, you can certainly walk behind them. Dry Falls is on the Cullasaja River and flows over an overhanging bluff, allowing visitors to walk behind the wall of water while remaining relatively dry. For the more adventurous (or foolhardy) a rather difficult and treacherous trail leads further downriver to the base of the falls. Bear in mind, this is an extremely high-volume water flow and the river gorge is very steep; a simple miss-step could cost you your life.

Cullasaja Falls is located in the lower Cullasaja River Gorge and can be seen from the highway above. This magnificent hydro-display cascades through 250 feet of hardwood forest, its roiling waters white with fury, as it crashes noisily over massive granite spires. These majestic falls are nine miles West of Highlands on US-64, and can be viewed from a turn-off precariously perched at the apex of a sharp curve in the road. The falls are unmarked and there are no trails providing access to the gorge below. At one overlook a sheer granite wall rises some 400 feet from the base of the falls to the roadway above; a repeller's dream come true. A few hundred feet downriver the granite gives way to loose shale and thick tangles of brush, allowing for a very dangerous but achievable descent.

Note: This is an extremely dangerous and inadvisable descent into a comparably dangerous environment, riddled with slick rocks and surrounded by Class 5 rapids! Descend at your own risk!

Another little gem nestled amidst the hardwoods and mountain streams of the Cullasaja River Basin is Van Hook Glade Campground and Cliffside Lake Recreation Area. Situated between Dry Falls and Cullasaja Falls on US-64, Van Hook Glade offers secluded and well-designed campsites, several hiking trails, river access, hot showers, and flush toilets for a reasonable fee. The area is managed by a US Forest Service volunteer and tends to be less crowded than other campgrounds in the area, making it the campground of choice for my girlfriend and I.

Cliffside Lake is a small mountain oasis less than a mile away where visitors can swim, take a leisurely stroll around the lake, picnic on a grassy lakeside knoll, or fish for trophy Rainbow Trout and Largemouth Bass. Ask my girl about the monster Rainbow she hauled up from the depths.

All in all, the Cullisaja River Gorge is an awe-inspiring wilderness area that abounds with opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Miles of hiking trails, numerous waterfalls, and acre upon acre of pristine backcountry wilderness just begging to be explored. Find the time, pack your gear and go! You won't regret it!

This stretch of The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway (US-64) which parallels the Cullasaja River Gorge is located between Highlands and Cashiers N.C.



Hike On!