Winding through the ancient peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, the Cherohala Skyway offers 43 miles of breathtaking mountain driving between Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Robbinsville, North Carolina. This National Scenic Byway climbs to elevations exceeding 5,400 feet, revealing sweeping panoramas of endless ridgelines blanketed in hardwood forests.

The journey begins in Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest and crosses into North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest, traversing some of the most pristine wilderness in the eastern United States. Along the way, numerous overlooks invite you to pause and absorb views stretching for miles across undulating peaks. Watch for wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and black bears in the surrounding woodlands.

Popular stops include Santeetlah Overlook, offering stunning lake views, and the various picnic areas perfect for a peaceful mountain lunch. The route connects to excellent hiking trails, including access to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest with its towering old-growth trees.

Fall delivers spectacular color as maples, oaks, and hickories paint the mountainsides in brilliant reds and golds. Spring brings wildflowers and blooming rhododendrons. Allow two to three hours for the drive, longer if you plan to hike or linger at overlooks. This uncrowded alternative to the Blue Ridge Parkway rewards travelers seeking mountain solitude.

Explore Nearby

• Conasauga Scenic River — State Park in Tennessee
• Fort Loudoun State Historic Park — State Park in Tennessee
• Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest — National Forest in Georgia
• Nantahala National Forest — National Forest in North Carolina
• Obed Wild and Scenic River — Dark Sky Site in Tennessee