$751,720Average Value$651Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
A mountain community in western North Carolina
In the hillsides of western North Carolina near the Georgia border, Scaly Mountain was once a popular skiing destination that acted as an escape from Atlanta. Today, the sleepy mountain community is known for its hiking and relaxed outdoor vibe. Several cabins were repurposed into lodges or bed and breakfasts. “Scaly has the most beautiful views, and there are a lot of recreational activities. The area is really developing,” says Josephine Lovell, a county resident and Realtor with Highlands Sotheby's International Real Estate.
A part of the Nantahala National Forest
Nantahala National Forest provides camping and an extensive trail system. Bartram Trail crosses Dillard Road, connecting to the shorter Scaly Mountain Trail. Hikers can easily access the Osage and Blue Valley areas from the roadway. These paths lead to sweeping views of the national forest. Lovell says Highlands Outpost offers snow tubing. "There’s a little recreation area too. And during the summer, they have a roller coaster,” she says. The Sky Valley Golf Club offers a par 72 course, croquet and several members-only events at the clubhouse; the country club is about 3 miles away in Georgia.
Cottages and cabins in Scaly Mountain
Elevated cottages and cabins are common in this community, but there are also undeveloped, wooded lots with views of the highlands. Most homes are on about an acre of land and rely on septic tanks and well water. These range from around $400,000 to $800,000. Larger properties on 4 acres or more tend to range from $850,000 to $2.25 million. Some popular areas of the community include the Rocky Knob subdivision, which has a gated entry, a private 17-acre lake and a homeowner's association, and Wildflower Creek, a luxury motorhome resort community on nearly 12 acres with a gated entry, clubhouse, pavilion and walking trails.Homes with private wells may be at risk of lead contamination. The county also has a history of wildfires and flooding, which can impact properties. The community has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, much lower than the national average of 4.
Taking to Dillard Road, Highlands or Otto for shopping
There is a Dollar General on Dillard Road. Following the route to the east brings shoppers to grocery stores in Highlands, such as Rhodes Superette and Mountain Fresh Grocery. Locals can shop for fresh produce at Good Food Market in the Otto area, about 10 miles away. Eateries like Kitchen at Julep Farms and Cupboard Café and Grits are near state Highway 246. There are just a few dining establishments in Scaly Mountain, including Barrel & Vine at the Vineyard at High Holly, which serves wines and a small selection of food Friday through Sunday afternoons.
Most students attend Highlands School
Highlands School is about 10 miles away and serves kindergarten to twelfth graders. It has a B-plus rating from Niche and offers STEM enrichment classes for each grade level and career and technical education pathways for older students. In late 2024, the Macon County Board of Education began a renovation and expansion of the facility.
Near the Georgia border
The Georgia state line is a couple miles south and the town of Highlands is about 9 miles away on Highway 106, also known as Dillard Road. The town also includes the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. “Scaly Mountain is off [U.S. Route 23]," says Lovell, adding that it's a common path for those making the 120-mile drive from Atlanta. Macon County Transit provides limited, fixed routes throughout the region, but ride requests must be made in advance.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Scaly Mountain
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Scaly Mountain Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Scaly Mountain, Highlands sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Scaly Mountain, Highlands over the last 12 months is $562,500, up 34% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked along the Atlanta side of Scaly Mountain and less than ten minutes from downtown Highlands, this nearly 11-acre unrestricted property offers a rare blend of privacy, flexibility, and mountain adventure. Featuring a unique barndominium with a charming one-bedroom bungalow, and a separate one-bedroom guesthouse, the property presents endless possibilities for a family retreat, vacation
Price enhancement to an incredibly valuable lot in Highly Exclusive Thomas Knob Estates, with current septic and well permits already in place! Enjoy this gently rolling 4.09-acre lot located in the serene and impeccably maintained private community of Thomas Knob Estates! With easy access via paved roads and sitting at over 3,650 ft elevation, this large estate lot offers cool summer nights,
Situated in scenic Scaly Mountain, this beautiful ±3.96-acre homesite offers the perfect blend of privacy, natural beauty, and convenient access to nearby mountain towns. One of the most appealing aspects of this property is its prime location on the “Atlanta side” of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, offering excellent accessibility year-round. You’re positioned almost exactly halfway between
Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the sought-after Highlands Plateau, this beautiful lot offers the perfect blend of mountain charm and outdoor adventure. Enjoy easy access to trout fishing, gem mining, summer tubing, local vineyards, and an aerial adventure park featuring zip line courses. Seasonal activities nearby include ice skating and snow tubing, making this an ideal
Light and bright, this beautiful custom mountain home welcomes you with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an open floor plan that fills every room with natural light. The spacious kitchen features a large island and granite countertops, perfect for entertaining, while the finished basement adds even more room to gather. Bamboo hardwood floors, tongue-and-groove pine ceilings, and a
Tucked into the Osage Estates subdivision — accessed through the sought-after Rocky Knob community — this two-bedroom mountain retreat pairs easy living with an unbeatable setting. Neighborhood trails wind past a community lake and throughout the property, and the sense of community here runs deep: neighbors wave, stop to chat, and genuinely look out for one another.Inside, an open floor plan
Sky High Cottage presents a unique opportunity to enjoy mountain living from a peaceful, elevated setting at approximately 4,100 feet above sea level — higher than Main Street in Highlands. Tucked at the end of the road, this private retreat offers a true sense of escape while remaining just minutes from town.Surrounded by mature, native landscaping — rhododendron, weeping cherry, and
Beautiful layered mountain views from this 5.09-acre tract in Highland Gap. Drive roughed in. Potential for beautiful mountain view with some tree trimming and removal. New survey. Tax amount is estimated. Property is a portion of a larger tax parcel. Owner/Agent
Rare ownership opportunity for 211+ unrestricted, high elevation, prime development property in the heart of Scaly Mountain with approximately 800' of Highway 106 frontage. This subdividable wooded land tract has good topo for building and boasts views, abundant nature, streams, and privacy. It's a canvas ready for a vision to develop or a protective enclave to surround yourself in...and only 7
Gentle to near level knoll building site, 4.43 acres, beautifully wooded with seasonal views and potential for better views by trimming. New survey. Driveway roughed in. Underground electricity to be installed to the street. Broker/owner Located in Scaly Mountain only minutes from Highlands, NC, on the Atlanta side. PUBLIC GOLF, ZIPLINE, SHOPPING , SNOW TUBING, HIKING AND MUCH MORE!!!
Escape to the cool mountain air on this beautiful 6.20-acre property perched at over 3,500 feet in elevation, where you'll enjoy refreshing temperatures, peaceful surroundings, and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The gently rolling terrain offers an ideal setting for your mountain retreat, whether you're dreaming of a full-time residence, vacation home, or private getaway.
CREEK FRONT ON 5 ACRES. A Wonderful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, mountain homeplace overlooking a fast-flowing creek on 5 wooded acres. There are 2 large, covered porches for relaxing, Creekside. The living room has beautiful all-wood ceilings, a wood-burning stove with a stacked-rock wall and rock hearth, and large picture windows to take in the views of the creek. It has a circular driveway with a
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
