This text is replaced by the Flash movie.

Natural Heritage Trail

Scenic Byways

The North Carolina Mountains are laced with Scenic Byways, roads so-designated by the federal government and state government for their outstanding archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.  Scenic byways take travelers through National Park land, National Forests, rustic valleys and peaceful farmland to breathtaking mountain vistas, waterfalls, scenic small towns, vineyards and historic sites.

National Scenic Byways in the North Carolina Mountains include:

Blue Ridge Parkway

Perhaps the most famous scenic byways in the North Carolina Mountains is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Built during the Depression, the road was designed from the outset to be a meandering drive through the Appalachians from Virginia to Western North Carolina.   Frequent turnouts, hiking trailheads and picnic spots give travelers ample opportunity to fully enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

Cherohala Skyway

It took 30 years to construct this paved 50-mile, two-lane road that climbs to elevations of over 5,300 feet between Robbinsville, North Carolina and Tellico Plains, Tennessee. This ridge route gets its name from the two National Forests it crosses, the Cherokee National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest. In North Carolina, travelers look down on stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains, Snowbird, Slickrock, Joyce Kilmer Forests and on clear days can see the Great Smoky Mountains in the distance.

State Scenic Byways in the North Carolina Mountains include:

Appalachian Medley

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.

Black Mountain Rag

Named for an old fiddle tune, this Scenic Byway begins at the picturesque town of Black Mountain and has as many twists and turns as the tune itself. The route follows State Highway 9 to Bat Cave, then forks. Drivers can opt to take US 64 southeasterly past Hickory Nut Gorge and Chimney Rock Park to Lake Lure, or travel in a southwesterly direction on US 64 west to the apple orchards of Edneyville.

Drovers Road

Running from Fairview to Bat Cave along US 74A, this Scenic Byway was once used by "drovers," early mountain settlers who herded their flocks and livestock along this route on their way to markets in the Piedmont and coastal areas. It takes travelers through the scenic Hickory Nut Gorge, near Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure.

Forest Heritage

Travelers along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway will pass beautiful mountain scenery and waterfalls and have the opportunity to stop in Brevard and at the Cradle of Forestry to learn about the rich history of the area, including the birth of forestry in America. This Scenic Byway follows State Highway 276 northward out of Brevard to Woodrow, then turns south again on State Highway 215 to Rosman.

French Broad Overview

From Weaverville, birthplace of Civil War governor Zebulon Vance, to Alexander and then north on US 251 to just past Marshall, this Scenic Byway winds through rolling hills and peaceful farmland along the French Broad River. The French Broad, which begins in Rosman and runs a northerly course into Tennessee, is one of North Carolina's most popular waterways for rafting, fishing and other water sports.

Indian Lakes

Connecting with both the Cherohala Skyway and the Nantahala Scenic Byway, the Indian Lakes Scenic Byway runs between Almond and Tapoco on State Road 28, then on US 129 between Tapoco and Topton. It takes travelers deep into the heart of the Nantahala Gorge, past Fontana Lake and Santeetlah Lake and into the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The nearby Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is one of the few remaining old growth forests in Western North Carolina.

Little Parkway

The historic Yonahlossee Trail, now part of US 221 called the Little Parkway, was constructed in 1889 to link the then-new resort of Linville to the train service at Blowing Rock. It was a toll road until 1987 when the Linn Cove Viaduct was completed on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This Scenic Byway passes the natural wonders of the Linville Gorge and Falls, Linville Caverns and Grandfather Mountain, as well as the back entrance to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.

Mission Crossing

Winding through the high mountains on State Road 194 between Cranberry and Vila, this Scenic Byway is well-traveled in the winter ski season, as it gives access to the largest concentration of ski resorts in North Carolina. The route also passes numerous spots of historical interest, including the old mission in Valle Crucis, the 19th century Mast Farm Inn and the original Mast General Store, founded in 1882.

Mountain Waters Scenic Byway

As its name implies, this Scenic Byway leads travelers past numerous waterfalls and lakes and through two river gorges. Boating, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, swimming and other water sports can be accessed from this Scenic Byway that begins in Highlands and follows State Road 28 through Franklin, ending at Fontana Lake. Highlights along the way include the Cullasaja Gorge, Dry Falls, Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade, Wayah Creek, Wayah Bald, Nantahala Lake, Nantahala River, Nantahala River Gorge and Fontana Lake.

Nantahala Byway

This enchanting road between Whittier and Marble on US 74 takes travelers through 43 miles of the Nanatahala National Forest, with 20 miles of it passing through the deep and scenic Nantahala Gorge. As a world-class whitewater rafting river, the Nantahala River attracts canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts as well. Travelers on this Scenic Byway can explore the Gorge itself or visit nearby attractions such as the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Fontana Lake and the Cherokee Qualla Boundary.

New River Valley Byway

Stunning and varied scenery awaits travelers along this scenic byway. Stretching from the high country of Boone to Laurel Springs, the Byway follows State Roads 194 and 88 on what once was the "Old Buffalo Trail." Along the way, visitors will see one of the oldest rivers in the world, ironically named the "New River," and pass the largest concentration of Christmas tree farms in the country.

Pacolet River Byway

The Pacolet River Byway runs along US 176 between Tryon and Saluda, in the southwestern part of North Carolina.  This Scenic Byway passes a number of historic structures along the way, including old railroad depots, log cabins, and the Saluda Grade, the steepest mainline railroad grade in the country. Pearson's Falls, near Tryon, and the Polk County Historical Museum are other highlights in the area.

South Mountains Scenery

With the steep Black Mountain Range reflected in the rearview mirror at Marion, drivers ease into an equally beautiful though very different countryside while traveling south on the South Mountains Scenery Scenic Byway. This country route, State Road 226, meanders through cornfields and apple orchards, past significant Civil War and Revolutionary War sites en route to its conclusion in Metcalf. It skirts the South Mountains State Park, giving access to wandering trails and abundant camping spots.

Upper Yadkin Way

From Patterson near Grandfather Mountain to Goshen just outside the Wilkesboro Reservoir, this rural route follows NC 268 along the Upper Yadkin River from the mountains to gently rolling foothills of the Piedmont. Historically a farming region, today the traveler will see acres of vineyards, horticultural nurseries and turf farms alongside more traditional crops. With a climate and soils ideal for the cultivation of grapes, the region has received a federal designation as the Yadkin Valley Viticultural Area.

Waterfall Byway

Not surprisingly, this Scenic Byway takes visitors through "the land of waterfalls," some of the most beautiful scenic sights in the mountains of North Carolina. Between Rosman and Murphy on US 64, travelers can visit many picturesque falls, including the spectacular 120-foot Bridal Veil Falls. Travelers who choose to stop at Dry Falls will discover the reason for its name—visitors can walk behind the falls without getting wet. The route passes through territory rich in Cherokee and early immigrant history.

Whitewater Way

State Highway 281 between Sapphire and the South Carolina border is known as Whitewater Way, taking its name from Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies and one of many waterfalls in this southern region of the Nantahala National Forest. This Scenic Byway passes Gorges State Park, which with a temperate climate and near-tropical rainfall is a virtual rainforest and home to many rare species of plants and animals. The park is new to the State Parks system and still in developmental stages, but visitors can enjoy its plunging waterfalls, deep gorges and lush vegetation.

Maps and detailed information on these Scenic Byways can be found on the following websites:

US Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
National Scenic Byways Program
www.byways.org/browse/states/NC

An NCDOT Scenic Byways Book can be ordered from:
Scenic Byways Program
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Scenic Byways Program
www.ncdot.org/doh/operations/dp_chief_eng/roadside/scenic/