The closest hike to the cabins is High Falls on the north side of Lake Glenville. It is also my favorite hike in the Cashiers / Glenville area, taking you down to a stunning box canyon with a double drop waterfall.
The lakeside entrance to the waterfall was put in only a few years ago by Duke Energy. It is across the street from the Pines Recreation Area, a public beach, fishing pier, and picnic area.
The hike is steep but only 6/10 of a mile long. There are a lot of rocky steps.
In the summer, Duke Energy schedules dam releases which fills this waterfall to a boiling torrent. This allows expert kayakers to paddle the upper fork of the Tuckasegee River. Quite the adventure!
On a warm summer day, this is a great spot for a picnic and a swim. But honestly, there isn’t bad time of year to visit this dramatic waterfall. As always, be careful around slippery rocks and waterfalls.
To get to High Falls from the cabins, turn left (north) on NC-107. In a little over a mile, turn left on Pine Creek Road. In about two miles, just past the dam, you will see the parking lot for High Falls on your right.