Crossing the Tennessee–North Carolina border and the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains, this 42-mile-long byway climbs to a mile above sea level. It winds through forests of hardwoods and evergreens on the way from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina.
Overview
The Cherohala Skyway (Tennessee State Hwy. 165 and North Carolina 143) links two small towns and follows a mile-high ridge in the Unicoi Mountains. Designated a National Scenic Byway shortly after it opened in 1996, the skyway is the costliest road in North Carolina. It took more than three decades and $100 million to build, but many say the views along the route are worth it. You can complete the drive in as little as two to three hours, but take your time. This route was built for sightseeing. The highway clings to four peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation and nine peaks above 4,000 feet, offering—when the often-fickle weather permits—amazing views of mountains, foliage, and waterfalls. The Cherohala Skyway climbs high into the Smoky Mountain air, ascending from an elevation of just over 930 feet near Tellico Plains to 5,390 feet at the road's highest point, the Santeetlah Overlook. Nearly half of the elevation change comes in the ten-mile stretch after Tennessee–North Carolina state line.
Start in Tellico Plains
In the quiet town of Tellico Plains, stop at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center (225 Cherohala Skyway, +1 423 253 8010; www.cherohala.org) for maps and information. Before you leave Tellico Plains, top off your tank and pack a picnic—you'll find no gas stations or restaurants on this route.
Cherokee National Forest
You'll be passing through Cherokee National Forest (+1 423 476 9700; www.fs.fed.us/r8/cherokee), which offers several recreational opportunities. Tennessee's only national forest, Cherokee contains more than 600 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Once devastated by logging but protected since 1911, the woodlands are home to 262 species of birds, 154 species of fish, 55 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 43 species of mammals.
