Byways Bookends (day trips)
The Tennessee Overhill is blessed with two Scenic Byways. These Byways bookend the region and offer two very different views of the natural beauty of the area. The flora, fauna, and history of each Byway is unique. Rural highways and side roads join these two Scenic Byways and make for varied and exciting ways to explore the culture, heritage, and scenic beauty of southeast Tennessee. Listed below are themed itineraries to help visitors explore both the Byways and the communities that lie between.
Cherokee Heritage Trail Itinerary & Map (click here)
Winding through mountains, past rivers, and through small towns, you will discover the rich history of the Cherokee people. Follow National Scenic Byways, quiet highways, and backroads to visit sites which offer a glimpse into the past and a view of the present. Museums, historic sites, and memorials tie the past to the present and a people to their land.
Crafts Heritage Trail Itinerary & Map (click here)
Art and artists have long been influenced by the landscapes that surround them. They often draw materials, as well as inspiration, from the land itself. We invite you to find both art and inspiration as you travel scenic byways and rural highways through changing landscapes.
Furs to Factories Heritage Trail Itinerary & Map (click here)
The story of how the Industrial Revoluton played out in the Southern Appalacians is a compelling narrative that is linked to the nation's history. Each stop along the way acts as a chapter in the story. A 1757 British fort, Cherokee museum, Victorian train station, 1890 railroad, mines, and mill villages are examples of what modern day explorers will find.
The Cherohala Skyway
The Cherohala Skyway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Robbinsville, North Carolina. This National Scenic Byway skirts the clouds, climbing some of the highest peaks in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and rising over 5,000 feet in elevation. Stop at the many overlooks to take photographs, learn about the history that took place here, or simply breathe in the fresh crisp mountain air. This National Scenic Byway crosses through both the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests, thus earning it the name "Cherohala Skyway."
The Cherohala Skyway was designed for the traveler to savor the area’s natural beauty. Take time to pull off at any of the many overlooks to enjoy the panoramic vistas. Cell phone coverage along the Skyway is very sporadic. Snow may accumulate at higher elevations on the Skyway even when the lower roads are clear. Allowing for stops, it takes approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours to travel the 51 miles of the Skyway.
The Ocoee Scenic Byway
The nation's first National Forest Scenic Byway, the Ocoee Scenic Byway wiggles alongside the Ocoee River on Highway 64. A side trip up Forest Service Road 77 leads to the top of Chilhowee Mountain for great views of Lake Ocoee and the surrounding mountains and hills below. The Ocoee Scenic Byway/Highway 64 continues along the bottom of the mountains, winding between rock bluffs and the spectacular Ocoee River gorge, past the Ocoee Whitewater Center - home to the 1996 Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom competitions, and into the historic copper mining towns of Ducktown and Copperhill.
The Ocoee Scenic Byway follows much of what was once the Copper Road. The Copper Road was a treacherous wagon track used by nineteenth century copper haulers traveling from the Ducktown mines through Ocoee River Gorge to the railroad depot at Cleveland.
Ocoee Dams #1 and #2, as well as the Ocoee Flume Line can all be seen from the Ocoee Scenic Byway. The dams and flume line are all three listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The waters that gathered behind Ocoee Dam #1 (also known as Parksville Dam) created Tennessee’s first artificial lake. Ocoee Dam #2 is fed by river water diverted along the five mile-long wooden flume line. The Ocoee Flume Line is visible in several places as it winds its way along the side of the mountains above the river.
Trip Tips:
Keep in mind, as you explore the mountains of east Tennessee and North Carolina; cell phone reception is limited or non-existent in some areas. A full tank of gas is always a good idea. Weather can vary dramatically from the low lying valleys to the high flung mountain peaks. Even though there are lots of local eateries and restaurants, you should consider carrying along snacks and bottled water – you never know when you might happen upon an irresistible picnic table or hiking trail. Comfortable clothes and shoes ensure that you enjoy the trails whether you stay on the road or enjoy wandering off the beaten path. Pack layers, keep the weather in mind, drive safely and considerately, and enjoy the scenery, heritage and communities that can only be seen here.
Funded in part by Federal Highway
Administration and National Scenic Byways.
