Vale Cottage
A 2 bedroom/1.5 bathroom peaceful woodland retreat minutes from downtown Highlands
Tucked among towering hardwoods on scenic Dog Mountain, Vale Cottage offers the rare opportunity to experience the tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains without giving up the convenience of downtown Highlands, North Carolina. Bordering the National Forest and overlooking a gentle mountain stream, this thoughtfully renovated cottage feels worlds away from everyday life, yet you'll be less than two miles from Highlands' award-winning restaurants, boutique shopping, art galleries, and iconic waterfalls.
Designed for travelers who appreciate beautiful spaces and peaceful surroundings, Vale Cottage blends authentic mountain character with modern comfort. Vaulted wood ceilings, exposed beams, custom craftsmanship, and expansive windows fill the home with natural light while framing the surrounding forest, creating an inviting retreat that feels connected to nature in every season.
Begin your mornings with coffee on the screened porch as birdsong echoes through the trees. Spend your days exploring nearby hiking trails, waterfalls, fly fishing streams, and the charming village of Highlands before returning to the quiet comfort of your woodland hideaway. Whether you're planning a romantic mountain getaway, a peaceful retreat with your dog, or a relaxing weekend immersed in nature, Vale Cottage offers an authentic Highlands experience that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what matters most.
Vale Cottage is a breath of fresh air. This 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath rental is at one with all the beautiful foliage that Highlands has to offer. With vaulted ceilings, airy décor, and a big, beautiful bank of windows, its common areas are flooded with morning light and a stunning view of mother nature.
The Location: Vale Cottage is located within the Highlands town limits on Dog Mountain. It’s just far enough from the beaten path that guests are one with nature but only 2 miles to Main Street and the center of Highlands shopping, dining, and nightlife.
The Property: Vale Cottage is a carriage house that is located on a 2+ acre wooded property. Sitting at roughly 50 feet from the main house, Vale Cottage has a privacy wall and is elevated so guests can relax in the solitude of their own cozy space.
The Cabin: Vale Cottage has all wood ceilings, rustic beams, soaring 15’ ceilings, and tons of natural light in the common areas. It has a screened porch that overlooks the beautiful wooded yards. Guests enjoy custom cabinetry in the kitchen, reclaimed vanities in the baths, and a NC slate walk-through shower.
The Layout: Access to Vale Cottage is through the cozy screened porch with rocking chairs for two. Guests enter into the large open common area that houses the kitchen with island seating for two, dining table for 4, and the cozy living room. To the right off the common areas are doors that lead to both bedrooms- one with a King bed and one with a Queen bed. The bathrooms are accessible from both bedrooms and share a shower, while each having their own vanity and toilet area.
The Area: Highlands is the premier mountain destination in the Southeast. Lined with shopping, dining, museums and galleries, the bustling mountain village centering around Main Street is straight from a Norman Rockwell painting. Previously a summer/fall hotspot, it’s quickly becoming a year-round destination. At 4,118 feet, it’s one of the few temperate rain forests in North America, bringing botanists and nature lovers from all over the world.
Highlands is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. With an abundance of opportunities for biking, hiking, horseback riding, tubing, canoeing, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting, adventure-seekers will not find a more beautiful backdrop.
The Details: The living room and both bedrooms have flat screen TV’s with streaming capabilities and wifi. The kitchen is stocked with general kitchen essentials. This property is pet friendly with prior approval and a nominal pet fee. Vale Cottage is a carriage house and is over a garage. The carriage house is detached from the main house. Renters have full privacy.
**We cannot be responsible for weather related/ and or personal emergency issues affecting travel. All guests are encouraged to obtain travel insurance.
Vale Cottage Is Perfect For
Couples seeking peace and privacy
Surrounded by towering hardwoods and overlooking a melodic mountain stream, Vale Cottage offers the kind of quiet that's increasingly hard to find. Wake to birdsong, enjoy coffee on the screened porch, and unwind in a peaceful woodland setting just minutes from downtown Highlands.
Nature lovers
Located on more than two wooded acres bordering the National Forest, Vale Cottage feels wonderfully immersed in nature. Floor-to-ceiling windows, soaring ceilings, and a screened porch blur the line between indoors and out, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Highlands Plateau from the comfort of home.
Travelers bringing their dogs
Your four-legged family members will love exploring the surrounding mountain landscape. With quiet roads, nearby hiking trails, and a pet-friendly welcome, Vale Cottage is an ideal home base for guests who wouldn't dream of leaving their dog behind.
Guests who want seclusion without isolation
Tucked away on scenic Dog Mountain, Vale Cottage offers a rare sense of privacy while remaining less than two miles from Main Street Highlands. Enjoy the feeling of escaping into the forest without giving up easy access to exceptional dining, boutique shopping, galleries, and waterfalls.
Weekend getaways and long weekends
Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, escaping the summer heat, or simply taking a well-deserved break, Vale Cottage offers a cozy, beautifully designed retreat that's perfect for slowing down and reconnecting.
Remote workers and extended stays
Natural light pours through the expansive windows, creating an inspiring place to work, read, or simply recharge. Reliable Wi-Fi and peaceful surroundings make it easy to balance productivity with mountain living.
Travelers who appreciate thoughtful design
Vaulted wood ceilings, reclaimed wood accents, custom cabinetry, handcrafted finishes, and a North Carolina slate walk-through shower give Vale Cottage the warmth and character of a true mountain retreat while offering all the comforts of a thoughtfully renovated home.
Guests looking for an authentic Highlands escape
If your ideal vacation includes cool mountain mornings, evenings on a screened porch, the sound of a nearby stream, and the feeling of being tucked away in the forest, Vale Cottage offers an authentic Highlands experience that invites you to slow down and savor every moment.