Panthertown Valley
For a short hike with a spectacular view, take the family to explore Panthertown Valley in Cashiers.
Panthertown Valley, often called the Yosemite of the East, is a flat valley surrounded by rock cliffs. The 0.3-mile hike to Salt Rock is perfect for families as the short trail is actually a gravel road closed to vehicles and the view at the end is a must-see.
Contact Information
Directions:
West Entrance: From downtown Sylva, follow Main Street to the Business 23/N.C. 107 intersection at Bogart’s. Follow N.C. 107 south about 27.6 miles to its intersection with U.S. 64 in Cashiers. Turn left (east) onto U.S. 64 and travel 2 miles to Cedar Creek Road (S.R. 1120). Turn left onto Cedar Creek and go about 2.3 miles to Breedlove Road (S.R. 1121). Turn right onto Breedlove Road and follow it about 3.5 miles to the Panthertown gate.
East Entrance: Follow directions above to the N.C. 107/U.S. 64 intersection in Cashiers. Turn left (east) onto U.S. 64 and go about 13 miles to the U.S. 64/N.C. 281 intersection. Turn left onto N.C. 281 and continue about 0.8 miles to Cold Mountain Road (S.R. 1301). Turn left and follow Cold Mountain Road about 5.8 miles to a sharp left turn. Turn left and go about 0.1 mile to a gravel road on the right. Take the gravel road about 0.1 mile to the parking area at the gate.
A map is highly recommended to hike in Panthertown Valley. Burt Kornegay’s “A Guide’s Guide to Panthertown Valley” can be purchased at area outdoor outfitters and also online. Additionally, visit Panthertown.org for complete information on Panthertown Valley before your visit.