Hike along the highest sheer cliffs in the eastern United States

On a moderate 2-mile loop near Highlands in the Nantahala National Forest, hikers can ascend to 4,930 feet and overlook 740-foot tall vertical cliffs with incredible views of the nearby mountains. Whiteside Mountain is estimated to be more than 400 million years old with traces of ancient hunting camps found in the area. Cherokee legend says the monster Spearfinger made a home here after a rock bridge sheared off, closing her path and creating the cliffs. Adventurers can climb and rappel down the face of the mountain until nesting season when the activities are closed for the peregrine falcon — a once-endangered species.