HIGHLANDS PRIVATE FIELD GUIDE
Two Hours on Highlands’ Wild Edge: Private Hikes to Summits, Waterfalls and Rainforest Ridges
A private, 2-hour hiking tour in Highlands, North Carolina, with multiple trail options and practical guidance for choosing the right short adventure.
Two Hours on Highlands’ Wild Edge: Private Hikes to Summits, Waterfalls and Rainforest Ridges.
These private hiking tours out of Highlands, North Carolina, let you choose from a set of classic short outings — Secret Falls, Satulah Mountain, Whiteside Mountain, Picklesimer Rock House and Devils Courthouse — each delivered as a roughly two-hour excursion that combines driving with relaxed hiking and interpretive stops.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Satulah Summit Views (and Four‑State Vistas)
On the Satulah Mountain option you ride to the high ridge then take a moderate hike with some steep sections to viewpoints that look out over multiple states — a compact summit experience built for brief, memorable panoramas.
Open‑air 4x4 Adventure Through Temperate Rainforest
The experience pairs short foot travel with travel in classic open‑air, heated 4x4 adventure vehicles that whisk you through the Nantahala temperate rainforest en route to trailheads and back to Highlands.
Relaxed, Educational Walks Ideal for Photography
These private outings are educational and relaxed, recommended for photographers and those who prefer mostly driving with easy walking; in winter, some tours include a roadside stop to brew coffee or hot chocolate over a wood fire.
What the day feels like
What the two‑hour outing feels like
Expect a short, interpretive rhythm: an open‑air drive from Highlands to a trailhead, a moderate hike with occasional steep sections to a key viewpoint or waterfall, and a return drive through the rainforest in the same 4x4 vehicles — all wrapped into a roughly two‑hour private tour.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who these private hikes suit — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Hiking shoes, long pants and a shirt, and a light rain jacket are recommended for the short hikes.
Wear layered clothing suitable for mountain weather and for riding in an open‑air vehicle; a light rain jacket is advised.
Closed, supportive hiking shoes are recommended for the moderate hikes, which include some steep sections.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour is approximately two hours in duration.
What does the price cover and how much is it?
Base price is $392 and includes 1–4 guests; each additional person is $98. Ages 2 and under are free.
How many guests can you accommodate?
Maximum guests are 38 overall; vehicle capacity is 12 people per truck and groups larger than 12 are split across trucks.
How strenuous are the hikes?
The outings are described as mostly driving with some easy walking, though specific options such as Satulah Mountain include moderate hikes with some steep sections.
Are dogs allowed on the tour?
Customer dogs are allowed; you can also request that the operator’s dog join the adventure.
Do you operate in winter and are there special stops?
Yes; on the Satulah Mountain option in winter the tour may stop along the way to brew coffee or hot chocolate over a wood fire.