"The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy."
Raydio Ridge — A True Mountain Escape Above It All
Life is better above 4,500 feet.
Perched just below the peak of Big Ridge Mountain in Glenville, NC, Raydio Ridge is more than a vacation rental — it’s a destination. A place where solitude reigns, silence is golden, and each breath of cool mountain air feels like freedom.
“I don’t want to be in town. I don’t want to be in a gated community. I want privacy, seclusion, and golden silence… countless stars overhead and the sweet smell of mountain air.” — A treasured guest.
A Setting That Inspires
Nestled on a quiet gravel road — the kind that crunches satisfyingly under tires and signals your escape from the everyday — this home boasts panoramic views over the Highlands–Cashiers Plateau. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite those sweeping landscapes inside, framing sunrises and sunsets you won’t soon forget.
Here, privacy and peace were paramount in every design choice. Whether you seek quiet reflection or laughter with friends, Raydio Ridge delivers — with multiple indoor and outdoor spaces to gather, relax, and savor the scenery.
Comfort Meets Thoughtful Details
Open floor plan with expansive views that blur the line between inside and out.
Three restful bedrooms with high-quality mattresses (two kings + two twins), comfortably suited for up to six guests.
Starlink Wi-Fi keeps you connected when you need to be.
Automatic generator for uninterrupted power — peace of mind in rugged mountain weather.
Sonos sound system (indoor/outdoor) lets you curate the soundtrack to your stay — just open the app and become your own DJ.
Upgraded kitchen appliances, handcrafted cabinets and bar by local artisan Bob Good — perfect for everything from morning coffee to mountain-made meals.
Outdoors — Your Private Mountain Living Room
Three separate outdoor seating areas offer choices for every mood: Morning coffee on the covered side porch. Cozy evenings watching stars emerge. Quiet moments with a book, an old friend, or simply the mountains themselves.
(Indoor smoking is prohibited, but a fine cigar on the deck is heartily encouraged.)
Close to Adventure — Yet Always a Retreat
Although private and peaceful, Raydio Ridge is just minutes from boating, hiking, dining, shopping, fishing, and local entertainment. Whether you seek adventure or total recharge, it’s all within reach.
Practical Notes
Gravel road access — true mountain living off the beaten path. All vehicles can make the climb, but ultra-low sports cars might balk.
Pack layers — even summer nights can be refreshingly crisp.
Maximum capacity: 6 guests.
Minimum age to book: 25.
Raydio Ridge isn’t just a place you stay — it’s a place you feel. A home built with heart, named for family, and perfected with personality. Come for the views. Stay for the peace. Leave longing to return.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Glenville
Located in Glenville, this cabin is in a rural area and in the mountains. Signal Ridge Marina and Arrowmont Stables are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Cashiers Farmers Market and Highlands Biological Station. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with rock climbing and cave exploring nearby.
Sapphire Valley Ski Resort - 18 min drive - 11.2 km
Cashiers Farmers Market - 18 min drive - 14.8 km
Restaurants
The Local - 16 min drive
The Tavern @ High Hampton - 26 min drive
Whiteside Brewing Company - 24 min drive
Buck's Coffee Cafe - 23 min drive
Canyon Kitchen - 28 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy." pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy."?
As of 9 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy." on 10 May, 2026 start from S$506, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy."?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy."?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy."?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is "The view was beyond real. It brought me to tears of wonder and joy." located?
Situated in the mountains, this cabin is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Signal Ridge Marina and Lake Glenville. High Falls Trail and Ralph J. Andrews County Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This place was perfect in every way for my family to stay and enjoy Thanksgiving together. The kitchen was well stocked with anything we needed included spices and condiments. The house was very clean and so comfortable, felt just like being at home. We hope to come back again. Mark was such a great host and communicated well.
Pam H.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Dec, 2025
Thank you, Pam. Kind words like this are always appreciated. Here's wishing you and your family the very best this Christmas Season.
The view is incredible, the house is very well stocked for your needs. The host is happy to communicate with you. This was our second visit and won't be our last.
Teressa M.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Nov, 2025
Thank you, Teresa! I think one of the finest compliments I can receive is the promise of, "I'll be back." I will look forward to your return. Have a wonderful holiday season.
What a wonderful place to get away from the Texas heat! Incredible views, most well stocked and well thought out place we have ever rented. Host was fantastic to work with. Can’t say enough about how great the place was.
We loved our time at Raydio Ridge! The view over the Highlands/Cashiers Plateau is incredible. The outdoor space is large and inviting to just relax and take in nature. It is a long ride up the mountain but the solitude and privacy are worth it. We loved the Sonos speaker set up to listen to music. The kitchen is well equipped for any chef. There are great books and games to play if a rain shower comes through. Highly recommended and we plan on returning.
James Karl H.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug, 2025
So gald you enjoyed your stay! I'll leave the light on for you.
Mark was wonderful to work with and it was definitely the most well-stocked vacation home we have ever been in. He really thought of everything!
Angela R.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Nov, 2023
Thank you Angela. I never wanted Raydio Ridge to be "just another rental option. " I wanted to curate a special space. One the feels like your "other home." I hope you'll return. Mark
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Orlando L.
4 May, 2018
On top of the world!
An amazing setting with a spectacular home! We have been visiting the area for more than 25 years and this was the best!
Orlando L.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have always wanted Raydio Ridge to be a wonderful, and unexpected destination. A place the defines "Mountain Escape." I hope you will plan a return trip. Guests like you make this a joy. My best.
As everyone has said this house is amazing! The most well stock VRBO we have ever stayed in. Views are beautiful and endless! We stayed for 5 nights and did not want to go home! Thank you mark for sharing your amazing house with others!
This cabin has everything you need. It is cozy, comfortable and well equipped. Although we had a stormy, rainy weekend because of hurricane Helene, the cabin provided a safe place for all of us. The host went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and
had everything we needed.
Great house and breath-taking view- we looked forward to this return visit all year and weren't disappointed. Lots of wildlife, autumn tree colors, beautiful sunsets and fresh air-easily our favorite place to go in the fall!
David G.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct, 2022
This HAS got to be the BEST one star review EVER! It's was so nice having you back at Raydio Ridge. Looking forward to your return. My best! mark
Raydio Ridge is an absolutely spectacular cabin! The panoramic views are gorgeous that can’t be captured by any photos. The cabin has a homey feel and is fully loaded with all of the amenities that you’d desire. Mark (the host) is very accommodating and delightful! Overall, one of the best cabins that we’ve rented!!
Mark P.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Dec, 2021
Thank you Mark. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed your stay. I strive to truly make Raydio Ridge a home away from home. I want my guests to discover the unexpected, and be surprised. Isn't it funny that the "little things" can add so much to a vacation experience? I hope you will return again, brother.
just what we were looking for! Gorgeous mountain views, peace and quiet and a beautiful cabin.
Mark was quick to respond to any questions we had. Cabin had everything we needed
linda w.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept, 2021
It's having guests like you, that make sharing Raydio Ridge so rewarding. And, I agree with everything you said! :)
Hope you can return, soon.
mark
Mark is a great host — very good communicator and very friendly. The house has a wall of huge windows and a great deck for viewing. We’ll equipped kitchen. Comfortable living space. We hope we get a chance to stay here again next year!
DANIEL H.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Oct, 2021
Hi Dan. Greatly enjoyed having you on the Ridge. Thank you for being such wonderful guests. Hope you can return soon. My best!
Raydio Ridge was a perfect spot for our Thanksgiving holiday. Our family includes my husband, myself and our two college-age daughters. The view cannot be fully appreciated until you are there and the home is very quiet and cozy. We cooked a full Thanksgiving dinner while there and had everything we needed. We would love to return. Thank you!
Kathryn P.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Dec, 2024
Thank you, Kathryn. I'm happy to hear that you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable visit. I look forward to your return, and your families next Raydio Ridge experience. PS - Summers are GREAT up here!
Mark's place was perfect for the four of us. Everything we could have possibly needed was in the home. And the view of the mountains along with wildlife including bears close by was an extra treat. Glenville Lake was a great place to rent a boat and explore. Waterfalls in the area plus shopping close by in Cashiers and Highlands were also highlights. All-in-all it was great!
Jim P.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Aug, 2021
Thank you so much for your generous review. This is a special home, with an amazing view, situated in a wonderful region of this GREAT country. I'm so glad you had the opportunity to experience the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau, and make Raydio Ridge, your base-camp. I look forward to your return! :)
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Margaret I.
21 Aug, 2018
Unbeatable View
We had a lovely week's stay at this secluded mountain retreat. It was such fun watching the mountain view as it changed with the weather and time of day. We also enjoyed the wildlife visitors. Have never seen as many hummingbirds at one time at a feeder as we did there. The house is well equipped and very comfortable.
Margaret I.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar, 2020
Thank you so much! I am happy to hear that you were able to experience the Hummingbirds of Raydio Ridge. It's not possible to convey in words just how amazing, and busy the airspace at that cabin can become when they are in full feeding mode...which is pretty much all day! :)
I hope you'll return soon, and experience Raydio Ridge again.
My best!
mark
I took my adult son here for a getaway, and we each fell in love with the magic of this location. The view is breathtaking, the little details around the home don’t go unnoticed or unappreciated…
We look forward to returning this year. ❤️
Carrie G.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Jan, 2022
Thank you Carrie. Happy to know you enjoyed your stay. I appreciate you noticing the little touches, that make Raydio Ridge a home. Looking forward to your return.
As previous guests have commented, pictures do not capture the views, the quiet, the sweet smells of grasses & wildflowers....Truly food for the soul. This is the best equipped kitchen and home. Our host was accessible, helpful and incredibly kind. Thank you for sharing your home!!
Sherrie M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jun, 2021
It was so nice having you as guests at Raydio Ridge. I hope the two of you can return again, and again. Raydio Ridge is a great basecamp for creating cherished memories. Just add you! My best.
We had the BEST time here! The house was extremely well kept and everything we needed was supplied. The view was breathtaking! Hard to describe on words. Communication with Mark was great - he was very responsive to us with any questions we had. We loved every minute that we spent here and look forward to staying here again in the future! Highly recommended!!
Milton H.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Apr, 2021
Brother! Thank you for your glowing review. Hope you and your family can return soon. Always a pleasure to accommodate wonderful guests like you and yours. Take care.
My wife and I have been renting vacation properties for years and Mark’s cabin is easily among the best provisioned, cleanest, and most comfortable places that we’ve had the good fortune to enjoy. The cabin is so thoughtfully designed and decorated. You have everything here that you need to cook - including very nice and useable tableware, pots, pans, etc. I took some photos to document how well provisioned the cabin was.The view is spectacular - but unfortunately it rained for 4 of the 6 days that we visited. It was still gorgeous and we loved every minute of our visit.Mark was great throughout. We’ll be back!
We love our time at Raydio Ridge. We plan a mountain stay once or twice a year. We could not get enough of thr mountain views. Every thing the description promised was delivered. The owner even contacted us with additional information and helpful instructions. We plan to rent this location again later this year and bring a long friends!
Nancy B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Mar, 2020
Thank you for your review Nancy! Please know that I am looking forward to your return. Your mountain home eagerly awaits! :)
We came up here to start looking for our own mountain cabin. Raydio a Ridge has set a very high bar for anything we have looked at or will look at. Mark thank you so much for sharing your little slice of heaven with us. We will definitely be back many more times to come. Kelly and Rich
Kelly H.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Oct, 2021
It's guests like you and Rich that make this experience SO rewarding. I'm glad you discovered Raydio Ridge. The Cashiers-Highlands Plateau is truly a treasure. Happy cabin hunting! Until you find the perfect place, Raydio Ridge can serve as your base-camp and home!! Thank you.
This was our second stay at Raydio Ridge. We were there for our 35th anniversary and just couldn’t forget the view and how wonderful Mark had everything provided for us. So we went back for our 50th! Once you’re up on that mountain you don’t want to leave. The kitchen is incredibly well equipped. The living room/kitchen/deck all take advantage of the iconic view and could easily accommodate two or three couples or a family. You can tell … we love it!
Waldon C K.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Sept, 2022
So good to have the two of you back on the Mountain. Don't wait another 15 years!! :)
I appreciate your thoughtful words.
About the host
Hosted by Mark Storie
I have been coming to these mountains since the mid-70's, when my father would pack our family up, and escape the summer heat, for a week or two on Big Ridge Mountain. I completed the home in the Summer of 1999, and have enjoyed sharing it ever since. This place is to be cherished and enjoyed...by you.
Why they chose this property
The property had been in my family since the 70's. After my fathers passing in 1983, I took over the responsibility for this 2.5 acre tract. In 1998, I was finally able to break ground, and build this amazing escape. Raydio Ridge is named, in part, after my dad...Ray.
What makes this property unique
The view is breath taking...stunning, and you are only minutes away from the most amazing lake in the region. Lake Glenville's 25 miles of shoreline, provide ample opportunity to boat, tube, swim and explore. Boat rentals are available at the foot of the mountain at Signal Ridge Marina. So is the lake!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests