Whiteside Mountain is a 4,930-foot pluton, where molten magma slowly hardened into granite. Over time, the softer rock eroded away to expose the sheer light cliffs. Other well-known plutons are Stone Mountain (in Georgia) and Looking Glass Rock (in North Carolina).
The Cherokee people called the mountain Unega yanu, which means white bear. As the sun sets during autumn, Whiteside’s shadow forms a bear across the valley east of the mountain.
Located along the Eastern Continental Divide, Whiteside Mountain stretches 4 miles from Devil’s Courthouse to Wildcat Ridge. The 750-foot-tall sheer rock walls directly below the trail are part of a combined 2,000-foot height above the valley below.
Whiteside Mountain Recreation Area
2024 Price: $3 per vehicle
(National Park Passes and Golden Passports accepted)
Whiteside Mountain Trail
Whiteside Mountain Trail is a 2-mile loop trail. It is a steady climb through the hardwood forest. I would call it a strenuous trail due to the steep slope and uneven terrain.
This National Recreation Trail starts up a set of wooden steps to a gravel path.
At the split, visitors can go right (up some stairs) or left (up an old gravel road). I chose to go left because inclines are easier on my lungs than dozens of steps.
Once I reached the top of the gravel path, there was a small opening through the trees. This was only a preview of what was to come!
I continued to the right and found a small, square overlook with metal fencing.
Then it was another quick climb to the mountaintop. For the next half mile, the path crossed along the rock outcropping above the cliffs with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, Nantahala National Forest, and South Carolina.
There were plenty of overlooks with cable fencing along the edge for safety; however, not all posts were strongly secured so be careful where you step.
After passing the summit rock, the trail headed into the trees down the southwest side of the mountain. Steps and switchbacks helped make the route a little easier.
I visited a few days after a storm and there were still some extremely muddy spots.
Near the end of the loop, there was a newer wooden staircase which was nice.
Whiteside Mountain was beautiful and a great hiking spot for visitors to Cashiers, Highlands, and northern Georgia.