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Cherohala Skyway

Scenic byway · Tennessee, North Carolina

Cherohala Skyway is a designated scenic route in Tennessee, North Carolina, about 43 km (27 mi) long.

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile (69 km) National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway that connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, to Robbinsville, North Carolina, in the southeastern United States. Its name is a portmanteau of Cherokee and Nantahala, the two national forests through which it passes. Along with multiple vistas and overlooks, the skyway provides easy vehicular access to various protected and recreational areas of the Unicoi Mountains, including the Citico Creek Wilderness, the Bald River Gorge Wilderness, and the remote interior of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.From Wikipedia — Cherohala Skyway, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Top locations in Tennessee

Cane Creek FallsWaterfall
Cane Creek FallsVan Buren County · 458 m
Rockhouse FallsWaterfall
Rockhouse FallsVan Buren County · 475 m
Burgess FallsWaterfall
Burgess FallsPutnam County · 235 m
Fall Creek FallsWaterfall
Fall Creek FallsVan Buren County · 430 m
Piney Creek FallsWaterfall
Piney Creek FallsVan Buren County · 456 m
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of ArtBotanical Garden
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of ArtDavidson County
Cherokee National ForestNational Forest
Cherokee National ForestCocke County
Big Frog MountainMountain Peak
Big Frog MountainPolk County · 1,276 m
Silers BaldMountain Peak
Silers BaldSevier County · 1,695 m

Tips for scenic drive photography

  • Drive the route in both directions — the views change completely.
  • Plan stops for golden hour at the highest overlooks; use pull-outs, never stop on the roadway.
  • Check seasonal closures for high-elevation roads before you go.
  • A polarizer cuts windshield-like glare on wet roads and foliage.