Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s Favorite Drive (Image Credits: Unsplash)
North Carolina’s 62 scenic byways weave through mountains, forests, and coastlines, inviting travelers to savor the journey amid stunning vistas.[2]
Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s Favorite Drive
The Blue Ridge Parkway claimed its status as an All-American Road with 242 miles cutting through western North Carolina’s Appalachian heights. Motorists encountered sweeping mountain panoramas, cascading waterfalls, and vibrant foliage displays along this storied route. Campgrounds dotted the path, while overlooks invited pauses for hikes and wildlife spotting.[2]
Visitors accessed trailheads at key mileposts, where elevations peaked at Richland-Balsam Gap over 6,000 feet. The road connected diverse ecosystems, from rhododendron thickets to open balds. Families stopped for picnics, while cyclists tested their endurance on gentler sections. This byway remained a cornerstone for fall leaf-peepers and spring wildflower seekers alike.
Cherohala Skyway: Peaks and Curves in the Nantahala
Cherohala Skyway soared 17.8 miles from the Tennessee line through Nantahala National Forest, earning national scenic byway honors for its Cherokee heritage and settler history. Drivers navigated thrilling dips and overlooks, with Hooper’s Bald rising to 5,429 feet as a high point. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest beckoned nearby, home to towering tulip-poplar trees.[3][2]
Motorcyclists favored the remote curves, while hikers explored trails to waterfalls. The route dipped into Santeetlah Gap, offering serene forest immersion. Travelers topped off fuel beforehand, as services stayed sparse. Sunsets painted the skyway in gold, capping drives with natural drama.
Waterfall Byway: A Cascade of Wonders
Stretching 98 miles across Cherokee, Clay, Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties, Waterfall Byway lived up to its name with over 200 falls along the route. Highlights included Whitewater Falls at 411 feet and Dry Falls, where visitors walked behind the flow. The path wound through Cullasaja Gorge, Highlands, and Cashiers, blending short hikes with scenic climbs.[3][2]
Stops at the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin and John C. Campbell Folk School added cultural depth. Diners fueled up at local spots like Country Skillet for hearty breakfasts. Ziplines at Highlands Aerial Park thrilled adventure seekers. This byway rewarded patient drivers with nature’s liquid symphony.
Forest Heritage and Nantahala: Forested Escapes
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway traced 17.6 miles on US 276 through Pisgah National Forest, linking to a 76-mile loop past Cradle of Forestry and Looking Glass Falls. Exhibits at the forestry site detailed America’s conservation birthplace, while Sliding Rock provided summer fun.[3][2]
Nantahala Byway paralleled the river for 43 miles from Marble to Whittier, showcasing whitewater rafting and Great Smoky Mountain Railroad views. Fontana Byway nearby offered 60 miles past Fontana Dam. These routes immersed travelers in gorges and hardwoods, far from interstate haste.
- Blue Ridge Parkway: 242 miles, mountain vistas and trails.
- Cherohala Skyway: 18 miles, high balds and forests.
- Waterfall Byway: 98 miles, 200+ falls.
- Forest Heritage: 18 miles core, forestry history.
- Nantahala Byway: 43 miles, river gorge rafting.
- Newfound Gap Road: 17 miles, Smokies park drive.
- Outer Banks: 138 miles, beaches and lighthouses.
Outer Banks and Beyond: Coastal Contrasts
Outer Banks Scenic Byway spanned 137.8 miles on US 70 and NC 12, linking mainland to barrier islands via ferry. Lighthouses, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and wildlife refuges defined this coastal gem. Maritime history unfolded at sites amid dunes and sounds.[2]
French Broad Overview hugged the river for 16 miles through Buncombe and Madison counties, past Zebulon Vance Birthplace. Pacolet River Byway crossed streams in Polk County, near Tryon International Equestrian Center. These varied paths rounded out North Carolina’s scenic portfolio.
Key Takeaways
- North Carolina boasts 62 byways, five national designations.
- Mountain routes dominate with waterfalls and peaks.
- Coastal drives add beaches and history.
These drives transformed ordinary trips into lasting memories, proving the road often outshines the destination. Plan your route and hit the pavement – what’s your favorite North Carolina byway? Share in the comments.
