There is a tremendous amount to say about this unique highland bog and granite dome USFS area. Most folks come for a day hike here. However, this is a multi-use area for hiking, biking, running, some horseback, fishing, swimming holing, star gazing, and even hunting certain times of the year.
SAFETY
This area is in the 911 service area of Glenville Cashiers and Toxaway. Cell service is decent in a lot of this space due to the cell tower located within the valley area. However a physical map is key for navigation here. My friends Burt Kornegay and Dan Pittillo of Cullowhee, NC coordinated the first version of A Guide's Guide To Panthertown Valley. You can buy one of these maps at Black Rock in Sylva, or at the Highland Hiker in Cashiers, NC.
There are lots of animal and human trails that are not the designated trails. The waterfalls here can be dangerous. Don't climb, jump from or climb above any of the falls. Keep a body length or more away from the edge of steep drops. Bears and other wildlife are at home in the varied habit here. Don't intentionally or unintentially feed the animals. Be prepared for weather changes year round and treat your water in Panthertown.
OVERVIEW
You can park at the Salt Rock Overlook access close to Cashiers, NC. or
You can park at the Cold Mountain Gap access close to Lake Toxaway, NC. or
You can park at the Flatcreek access at the northern end of Jackson County, NC.
Check out the Friends of Panthertown link below for detailed directions to each of these remote gravel road trail heads.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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