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Waterfall Trail and Chef Prepared Meals in North Carolina Resort Town

March 22, 2025 @ 3:00 pm - March 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am

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Join Southern Blue Ridge Hikers in beautiful North Carolina to help restore a short, popular trail to a beautiful waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest! Enjoy the modern comforts of staying in a recently restored lodge with wifi, chef prepared meals (including hot lunch on the trail!), and walking access to the quaint nearby town and local attractions. In your downtime, volunteers will have time to take a Biological Station Tour, hike in the nearby National Forest, and spend every evening gathered around the fireplace in the lodge.

The trail work will consist of rebenching the tread (cutting the trail into the hillside) on the Glen Falls Trail with hand tools where several sections of the tread have failed due to tread creep (sideways movement off the intended path).

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Register

Host

Private: Southern Blue Ridge Hikers

Accommodations

Cabin/Lodge

Hiking/Access

Volunteers will be driven to the trailhead, which is about 20 minutes from the group lodge on hard top and graded stone roads. Volunteers will hike to the project worksite on a trail that is 3/4 of a mile long with about 500' of elevation gain with a generally smooth trail surface.

Project Rating

Easy

Minimum Volunteer Age

18

Maximum Group Size

8

Area and Attractions

The town of Highlands, NC is a resort and retirement community located on the southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It sits astride the Eastern Continental Divide at an altitude of 4,118'. The town is surrounded by the Natahala National Forest. It is renowned for its waterfalls, lush vegetation, hiking opportunities and southern charm. Amenities include fine dining, the Highlands Biological Station, workout facilities, and an indoor pool.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay in a recently restored 1920's lodge. The lodge has 6 ensuite bedrooms and bathrooms. There are 2 kings, 1 queen, 1 full, 6 twins, and 2 foldout sofa beds in the various bedrooms. There is a large living room, laundry facilities, and high-speed internet. Flush toilets and showers are available throughout the week. The lodge is located on 6.5 acres adjacent to the biological station gardens and within walking distance to downtown. Chef prepared meals are served family style in the dining room. A hot lunch is provided on the trail. The lodge is adjacent to the Highlands Biological Station, the Highlands Plateau Greenway, and Sunset Rock.

Travel

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in Greenville, North Carolina is the closest airport. Airport pick up and drop off is available for volunteers and will be arranged upon confirmation of the trip.

Location

Nantahala National Forest
4518 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741 United States + Google Map
Phone:
(337) 344-8004