Winding northward on State Road 209 from Walnut, North Carolina, then turning south and wending through the tiny resort community of Hot Springs and terminating at Crabtree, this Scenic Byway travels past some of the most prominent peaks in the North Carolina mountains. The mountain road dips into bucolic grassy valleys and passes alongside the French Broad River near Hot Springs.

Length: 45 miles
Drive Time: 1.5 hours

For a detailed driving route and map, download the NC Department of Transportation's Scenic Byways guide.