The best cycling routes around Town of Highlands

There are 28 touring cycling routes around the Town of Highlands. These routes offer a diverse range of experiences, from moderate paths to challenging climbs through the Appalachian Mountains.

The Town of Highlands, nestled in the southern Appalachian Mountains, offers varied terrain for touring cyclists. You can expect scenic mountain roads with significant elevation changes, lush landscapes due to its temperate rainforest environment, and routes through the dense Nantahala National Forest. The area provides a mix of paved and well-maintained unpaved roads.

Yes, there are routes suitable for less experienced cyclists. For example, the Highland Falls loop from Village of Highland Falls is a moderate 10.9-mile (17.5 km) trail that leads through varied local landscapes, often completed in about 1 hour 10 minutes. This route offers a more relaxed exploration of the area.

For experienced cyclists seeking a challenge, the Town of Highlands offers several difficult routes with significant elevation gains. A notable option is the Candlewood Hill Loop, a 29.6-mile (47.7 km) trail that takes approximately 4 hours to complete and features substantial climbing through mountain terrain.

Absolutely. Many routes in the Town of Highlands provide breathtaking mountain views and pass by natural attractions. The region is renowned for its numerous waterfalls, such as Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls, and Glen Falls. You can also find routes with panoramic vistas from points like Sunset Rock and Whiteside Mountain. For a route with a specific viewpoint, consider the View from Bear Mountain Summit – Perkins Memorial Tower loop from Bear Mountain State Park, which offers scenic views from a mountain summit.

The touring cycling routes in the Town of Highlands are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from 18 reviews. Nearly 200 touring cyclists have explored the area using komoot, often praising the diverse terrain, challenging mountain roads, and the immersive experience of the Nantahala National Forest.

Yes, the Town of Highlands offers several circular routes for touring cyclists. An example is the Indian Brook Road - gravel – Sunken Mine Road loop from Cold Spring, a difficult 39.1-mile (63 km) route that provides a comprehensive tour of varied landscapes.

Beyond the routes themselves, the area around the Town of Highlands is rich with natural features. You can explore various lakes such as Hessian Lake and Lake Tiorati. There are also notable viewpoints like South Beacon Mountain and Firetower, offering expansive vistas of the surrounding Appalachian landscape.

Given its temperate rainforest environment, the Town of Highlands experiences lush, green scenery throughout much of the year. While cycling is possible for many months, spring and fall often offer the most pleasant temperatures and vibrant natural beauty, with fewer extremes in weather. However, the region receives over 80 inches of rain annually, so be prepared for potential wet conditions at any time.

Many routes within the Nantahala National Forest and surrounding areas will immerse you in the temperate rainforest environment. The constant moisture fosters incredible biodiversity and lush, green scenery. Routes that follow river valleys or pass by waterfalls, such as those near Cullasaja Falls or Glen Falls, will particularly highlight this unique ecological feature.

Yes, in addition to the route from Bear Mountain State Park, you can also access the scenic views from Bear Mountain Summit via a different starting point. Consider the View from Bear Mountain Summit – Perkins Memorial Tower loop from Manitou, a difficult 24.2-mile (39 km) route that provides another perspective of this popular area.