But about 30 years back I lived maybe 100 miles away and would take the drive just to view them. Memory says most of the waterfalls were very short hikes away - but I can not vouch for the state of the trails to/them. Do not recall them as bad - but I was young and had no problem scampering over things so take that with a caveat.

But great choice for waterfalls for sure!

On Edit: Sorry if not terribly helpful - just that this gave me a pause and brought back some great scenic memories. So thank you for that!

Last year, I hiked an "easy" hike to Linville Falls and just about died. My so could not hack that

There are many easy and beautiful hikes in Western North Carolina.

Here's a link to someone's top 10.
https://www.top-ten-travel-list.com/blog/recreation/waterfalls/10-easy-waterfall-hikes-near-asheville-nc/|

From Highlands, check out Panthertown Valley. It's best in the mid-late fall as the views there are up at the granite cliffs that surround the valley that has miles of crisscrossing trails and many are easy. Here's a brochure

https://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/panthertown-valley/|

Looking Glass falls is huge, gorgeous and you can drive to it. If you choose you can take the stairs to the bottom of the falls. Bridal Veil falls and dry falls are smaller but are right off Hwy 64. In fact, there's a 98 mile stretch between Rosman and Murphy that has over 200 waterfalls.

You can't go wrong, there's is plenty for all skills and abilities!

I'm bookmarking this. We were looking at Little Switzerland, too.

We used to stay at the Pisgah Inn since the 80s. It's a great place, and a wonderful restaurant. But they renovated it and the prices are through the roof now. And everything is book online and create account. The restaurant is so popular now, you may not get a table, and it's a long drive to another place to eat.

Highway 64 (on west side of Highlands) has some great roadside falls, including “Bust Your Butt Falls.”

May actually happen to us.

While I do not live in that area, I have visited a number of times.

Here is an article listing ten falls viewable from the road or with only an easy walk:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/easy-to-access-nc-waterfalls/

Nt

The movie is about moonshiners being chased by government agents and staring bad boy Robert Mitchum. BTW building souped-up cars to out-run the revenuers is the origin of stock car racing.
A good view is from the top of Whiteside Mountain via a road, and there is a road that goes in front of the cliff face. Back in the day, I did rock climbing on many of the cliffs.

You can pan for gems in Franklin, at least you could 55 years ago. Northeast of Asheville is Mount Mitchell highest one in the east, Linville Gorge where you can look for the Brown Mountain Lights, and Grandfather Mountain for another good view.
There are many interesting places just south of Highlands in South Carolina, but I would never recommend that anyone go to South Carolina.

Appreciate this. Loved Grandfather Mountain. Saw Linville Falls, breathtaking

It's in Henderson and Transylvania counties. It's an amazing forest.
They have several wonderful waterfalls, (bridal veil, triple, high falls), some 4/10 or 6/10 of a mile in, easy hike.
If so has handicap parking permit you might be able to get permission to drive in. You should contact them, or any place you're considering to find out about their accessibility.
2 waterfalls have picnic shelter's where you can sit and see the falls, so if you hike in you'd have a place to rest before heading back.. They also have hooker falls, which is across the road from the main forest, and is often crowded because it's the easiest to access. I haven't been to highlands, but have heard nice things about it.

https://www.dupontstaterecreationalforest.com
Last of the mohicans and hunger games were both filmed there.

I've never heard of that. Thanks for the links. I'll definitely check it out

I live in Highlands and would love to show you easy access waterfalls! Lived here for 30 years,sent you a DU email

Responded!

If you have the stamina and legs it is breathtaking. Picture in the kitchen from The Blue Ridge Pkwy. miles away.
There are falls visible from roads and ones with short hikes. Be careful.

Western nc certainly has spectacular views. Love waterfalls