Two Communities, One Exceptional Plateau
When buyers begin seriously exploring real estate in Cashiers, NC, two names consistently rise to the top: Lonesome Valley and Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club. Both sit on the Cashiers/Highlands Plateau at elevations exceeding 3,500 feet, yet they offer distinctly different living experiences.
Lonesome Valley: Rustic Luxury Meets Conservation Living
Lonesome Valley is unlike any other community on the plateau. Developed with a conservation-first ethos, it preserves thousands of acres of old-growth forest, pristine trout streams, and dramatic mountain terrain as a permanent backdrop for its residents.
Architecture and Lots
Homes are built to blend with the natural environment. Exterior materials are strictly regulated — reclaimed wood, stone, and natural finishes define the aesthetic. Lot sizes are generous, often five acres or more.
Price Range
Entry into Lonesome Valley typically begins around $1.5 million, with larger estates ranging to $5 million and beyond.
Amenities and Lifestyle
Residents enjoy miles of private hiking trails, fly fishing in stocked mountain streams, a community farm, and a gathering barn. There is no golf course — by design. Lonesome Valley attracts buyers who want immersion in nature and genuine privacy.
Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club: Elevated Club Living
Perched at over 4,400 feet — among the highest elevations of any residential community in the Eastern US — Mountaintop delivers panoramic views, a world-class golf experience, and a vibrant social community.
The Golf and Views
The Tom Fazio-designed golf course regularly earns recognition among the top private mountain courses in the country. Fairways carved through native hardwoods and tee boxes at sky-high elevations make a round here genuinely unforgettable.
Price Range
Homes and homesites range from approximately $800,000 for entry-level cottages to well over $4 million for custom estates on premium view lots.
Amenities Beyond Golf
Residents enjoy a lakeside clubhouse, resort-style dining, tennis and pickleball, a fitness center, swimming, and a robust social calendar year-round.
Choosing Between the Two
If you are drawn to quiet mornings on a trout stream and conservation values, Lonesome Valley is your community. If you want a vibrant social scene anchored by exceptional golf and resort amenities, Mountaintop is hard to beat. Both hold value exceptionally well.
Ready to explore these communities in person? Contact our team to arrange a private tour of Lonesome Valley, Mountaintop, or any of the Cashiers Plateau’s premier communities.
Related reading: Cashiers Real Estate Market Analysis | Selling Your Cashiers Mountain Home in 2026
