Fire Mountain

If you really want to be away from it all, this may be your place. However, be prepared to drive a mile up a treacherous gravel road to get there, spend 20 minutes getting to downtown Highlands for nice restaurants and wake up at dawn since there is nothing covering the windows except for some very sheer curtains. In addition, you will need to bring your own wine or alcohol because this property does not have a liquor license. In addition, the host is quite rude--scolding us because our car spun out on his poorly kept gravel driveway. On the positive side, there is a great view from the mountain top and they do serve a lovely breakfast in the mornings. However, breakfast is served at their convenience (9 a.m.) instead of at your convenience.

Lovely weekend and an incredible dinner at this Inn's restaurant. Will definitely return. It's a beautiful area and the inn has wonderful grounds and vistas.

Let's jump right in--We flew in to Atlanta and used Turo to have a convertible waiting for us when we arrived. Unfortunately, the flight was a bit delayed, and we arrived about 35 min after our planned arrival window. I called Hiram to make him aware, and he was gracious enough to allow us to check in a bit late. Day 1- headed into Highlands, NC and explored Main Street after a fabulous gourmet breakfast prepared by Matthew from locally grown produce and seasoned with herbs grown on the property. The views from the Fire Mountain took my breath away. The shopping was high-end and enjoyable, and we thought the Botanical Gardens nearby were very beautiful. We enjoyed the Scaly Mountain Screamer, a gravity roller coaster just down the road. And the BBQ next to it had live music and yummy food. The rest of the day was full of exploring Fire Mountain. I loved watching the fire dance from my bed each night while dozing off to sleep. Day 2- Breakfast. *sigh* I don't know how to express how much we enjoyed our morning meals on the mountain before heading out. Hiram suggested a hike to Mud Creek Falls. We were supposed to go to some other falls, but I spent quite a bit of time there exploring and taking pictures. Then we went back to Highlands for lunch and more shopping. Day 3- Breakfast was, as usual, phenomenal. We finished the waterfall scavenger hunt Hiram provided; we saw Holcomb Creek Falls and Ammons Creek Falls. The pictures I captured were gorgeous. Then we came back to Fire Mountain for an exclusive dinner prepared by Matthew; my description would not do it justice. Absolutely delicious. Then we made our way to the red chairs near the firepit they prepared for us and watched the sunset. Day 4- After our delicious breakfast, we took a day drive scavenger hunt created for us by Hiram. You will have to come to Fire Mountain in order to get it. ;) I'll just say, it took us all day and was beyond beautiful. I spent the day saying, "It's just gorgeous!" In the middle of our hunt, we stopped and kayaked at Smoky Mountains Fish Camp and Safari. I loved it. We ate dinner at River's End Restaurant in Bryson City, NC and then finished our adventure with a chilly view at the top of Wayah Bald Lookout Tower. It was breathtaking with the top down! Day 5- It was our 25th anniversary, and we spent most of the day enjoying Fire Mountain and the views. I read in the hammock on our porch and listened to nature. It was lovely. In the afternoon we went to Julep Farms for a late lunch and some shopping before heading back to Main Street in Highlands, NC. We went back to the Botanical Garden to explore some more and were not disappointed. We finished the day at Four65 Woodfire Bistro for drinks and dessert. It was a wonderful day. I drifted off to sleep by the firelight in complete gratitude for my marriage and many blessings. Day 6- Our final breakfast was just as wonderful as ever, and Hiram provided us another opportunity for adventure on our way back to

My husband and I spent a couple nights at Fire Mountain this weekend for a brief getaway. We needed to take a break from our busy schedules and relax- and this place was perfect. Our room was comfortable, our view was breathtaking, and the inn is the perfect distance from Highlands. It is secluded and private. We enjoyed our walk on the property and the breakfast was delicious. The hosts were some of the most knowledgeable, kind, and accommodating hosts we have experienced.

Fire Mountain is a quiet inn nestled deep in the Nantahala National Forest. From arrival, co-owners Hiram and Mathew’s passion for the experience is apparent. I was greeted by Mathew and their adorable dog Lily, given a tour of the grounds, and handed maps of local hikes, waterfalls, and excellent places to eat in the nearby town of Highlands. The inn itself is thoughtfully decorated, a combination of rustic and posh which is typically a difficult balance to strike. And yet, they’ve achieved it with aplomb. I stayed in the Nantahala room at the Inn, drawn to the extra-large soaking tub that I used numerous times. I never expect these large tubs to fill adequately, and yet there was plentiful hot water to soak my cares away. The first thing you notice about Fire Mountain is the lack of modern distractions. There are no televisions and no radios. I had about two bars of LTE (Verizon) that kicked in right as I drove up the hill, allowing me to text my partner upon my arrival and feel like I could be “connected” if I chose to. The Inn also has guest WiFi which allowed me to do basic internet stuff as I pleased. It probably wouldn’t support any streaming service… then again, why anyone would want to watch Netflix up here is beyond me! The other thing you notice is the air, which is a few degrees cooler than the nearby town of Dillard down the mountain (and a proper 10+ degrees cooler than the Devil’s Doorstep I came from!). The humidity is low, even in mid-July. For this reason, Fire Mountain does not have air conditioning and doesn’t need it. Despite being a lifelong Southerner, I’m quite sensitive to heat, but the temperature was comfortable my entire trip. Following Mathew’s recommendation, I closed up my room in the morning and opened it back up mid-afternoon, leaving it open all night so I could rest peacefully serenaded by the crickets and tree frogs. I’m no stranger to this area, so the eight or nine mile drive into town was nothing to me. In fact, the winding mountain roads, two scenic overlooks, and abundant rhododendrons made each trip delightful. Hiram and Mathew’s recommendations for food, shopping, and sights helped me reconnect with the Highlands region in blissful ways. Breakfast at Fire Mountain is substantial. Each breakfast started with a plate of fresh fruit. Mathew additionally provided boxed lunches for me, perfect for carrying up a mountain or down one of the area’s many waterfall trails. I only wish I could have enjoyed dinner at the Inn, which was unfortunately not available during my stay. Such is life; I’ll just have to return another time! I'm running out of space, so I'll just say that Fire Mountain was a 10/10 recommend from me. I can't wait to return!

Our visit to Fire Mountain Inn was absolutely wonderful! The views are breathtaking and the services were impeccable. My husband and I enjoyed wonderful massages, the breakfast was out of this world each morning, and Hiram was so knowledgeable about the area, restaurants, places to visit and things to do. It was such a nice weekend for my husband and I to unplug and enjoy the peace and serenity Fire Mountain has to offer. We are already planning our return trip next year!

Beautiful property with quiet, clean, and cozy cabin! We loved our stay at Fire Mountain and didn't want to leave!

We’ve stayed at Fire Mountain at least a dozen times. It never disappoints. Hiram and Matthew are the perfect hosts. The cabins and Inn are always spotless and comfortable. We find the grounds to be a wonderful area for a quick hike or just a glass of wine by the outdoor fire pit. If you need a place to unwind and a break from your devices, Fire Mountain should be at the top of your list!

We love Highlands NC area, and have stayed at other Scaly Mt properties. Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins was a 5 STAR experience offering comfortable lodging in a spectacularly beautiful setting. Breakfast and boxed lunches were delicious. Hiram is a wealth of knowledge and prepared an amazing road tour through the Nantahala National Forest region. Hats off to Hiram, Mathew and the entire staff - We will be back, hopefully soon :)