Glen Falls, NC: Is It Really That Hard? (Honest Trail Guide, Highlands)

Glen Falls near Highlands, NC is 2.8 miles out and back with about 430 feet of climb — and everyone argues about how hard it actually is. Some people call it moderate. Others turn back halfway. Here's the honest version. I filmed this on location. Everything below is what I found on the ground. THE SHORT ANSWER The trail down is well built and genuinely pleasant. The climb back is the hard part, and you'll be doing it tired at the end of your day. It's not dangerous. It is work. If you're not a confident walker, or you're with very young children, the view from the first deck is legitimate and beautiful — and you can stop there with no shame. THE TRAIL Three viewing decks: top, middle and bottom. Many reviewers rate the middle deck as the best view. Stairs in the steep sections, exposed roots throughout, and mud after rain. Best strategy, and this came from another hiker: go all the way to the bottom first, then use the decks as rest stops on the way back up. It turns three viewpoints into three built-in breaks exactly when you need them. MAKE IT A DAY Don't treat this like the roadside stops. Eat a real breakfast. Pack lunch and more water than you think you need. Start in the morning. Stop at every deck. Eat with the water in front of you. The people who suffer here are the ones who power down without stopping and face the climb with nothing left. GETTING THERE Off NC-106 about 1.6 miles southwest of Highlands, then roughly a mile of gravel road to a small parking area. Free, no gate. No restrooms at the trailhead — use Highlands before you drive out. WHAT TO WEAR Trail shoes or boots. Not sandals. The roots make it hard to find flat ground for your feet, and the steps are slick when wet. THE VIEW From the decks you're looking out over Blue Valley toward Rabun Bald in Georgia. Most hikes give you a waterfall or a vista. This one gives both. Dogs welcome on a leash — bring water for them too. Nearest ER: Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, 190 Hospital Dr, Highlands NC — 24 hours, about 10 minutes from the trailhead. CHAPTERS 0:00 This one is different 0:35 Parking & the gravel road 0:55 The honest difficulty 1:50 Who should skip this trail 2:15 How to actually do it 3:20 The falls & the Blue Valley view 4:10 Safety & what to wear 4:40 Next episode MORE FROM THE HIGHLANDS AREA Episode 7 — Dry Falls (walk behind it):    • Walk BEHIND This 75-Foot Waterfall — Dry F...   Episode 8 — Bridal Veil Falls:    • You Can NO LONGER Drive Under Bridal Veil ...   Episode 9 — Quarry Falls:    • Bust Your Butt Falls, NC — It's Not the Sw...   #GlenFalls #HighlandsNC #NantahalaNationalForest