Scenic Tours of North Carolina

For groups choosing to visit the Tar Heel State the ideal way to enjoy its diverse beauty is to journey on one of its scenic routes. Along the byways, you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery from the mountain peaks to fertile plains and on to the crystal blue coastline.

MOUNTAIN SCENIC DRIVES

Cherohala Skyway National Scenic Byway.

97 miles southwest of Asheville

For a glimpse of nature’s beauty beyond compare, travel the 41-mile Cherohala Skyway that connects N.C. Highway 143 from Robbinsville to U.S. Highway 165 in western North Carolina. Often compared with the Blue Ridge Parkway, it follows the crest of the Unicoi Mountains in the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forest, thus the name. The highest point reaches more than 5,000 feet. Visitors can enjoy majestic views of nature or picnic above the clouds at one of the many overlooks. Note: The twisting, curvy roads may present problems for larger or recreational vehicles.

Tail of the Dragon

5 miles east of Robbinsville

This is one of the best places in the U.S. to test drive your skills and courage on a motorcycle or in a car. The drive begins on U.S. Highway 129 in North Carolina at Cheoah Dam near Robbinsville where Harrison Ford jumped off the bridge in “The Fugitive.” The drive crosses into Tennessee and encompasses 318 curves in approximately 11 miles. Brag to everyone that you “slayed the dragon!” When you come back into North Carolina, stay at Fontana Village Resort (www.fontanavillage.com) on N.C. Highway 28 off U.S. Highway 129. Go to VisitNC.com and search for “Tail of the Dragon.”

Hidden Gems along the Blue Ridge Parkway (insider’s favorite)

Check out these little known scenic routes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. In the northwestern part of the state, N.C. Highway 18 between Sparta and West Jefferson will link visitors to these two stops that preserve the small-town feel of the Southern Appalachians. In Sparta, don’t miss Farmer’s Hardware or the quaint main street shops. In West Jefferson, take the downtown walking tours of murals and the Ashe County Cheese Factory. Southbound travelers can pick up N.C. Highway 18 by exiting the Parkway at Milepost 229 and taking U.S. Highway 21 to Sparta. Northbound travelers can exit the Parkway onto U.S. Highway 421 at Milepost 281, then follow the signs to West Jefferson. In either direction, the scenery nourishes the soul, with small, idyllic farms and sparkling streams along the way.

PIEDMONT SCENIC DRIVES

Hanging Rock Scenic Byway (great views)

100 miles north of Charlotte, 20 miles north of Winston-Salem To access the byway, take Exit 118 from U.S. Highway 52 and follow N.C. Highway 65 east through Rural Hall. Turn left on N.C. Highway 66 and go north to Mt. Olive in Stokes County. Follow N.C. Highway 66 to Gap. Take the right fork (State Road 1001) just northwest of Hanging Rock State Park. Continue to N.C. Highway 89 West. The byway ends in Shelton Town, east of Mount Airy.
Look for Tory’s Den, a cave below Moore’s Knob bank, said to have been occupied by Tories (colonists loyal to the king) during the Revolutionary War. Venture into Danbury, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. View the Sauratown Mountain range, named for the Saura Indians. These mountains are some of the oldest in North America. For an interesting side trip, travel into the 6,921-acre Hanging Rock State Park or to the lookout tower at the park for a wonderful panoramic view of the area. Be sure to visit Pilot Mountain State Park, a short drive from the beginning of the byway. A brief drive on N.C. Highway 89 after the byway’s end will take you to Mount Airy, Andy Griffith’s “Mayberry.”

Crowders Mountain Drive (quick drive)

30 miles west of Charlotte

This scenic drive takes motorists by Crowders Mountain and the Kings Mountain range. At Exit 10 on Interstate 85, follow U.S. Highway 29/74 to Mountain View. Take State Road 1125 (Sparrow Springs Road) to State Road 1104 (Pinnacle Road) to State Road 2292 (Lake Montonia Road); the drive ends on N.C. Highway 161 where it intersects Interstate 85. The highest peak, called Kings Pinnacle, marks the northern end of the range. Crowders Mountain State Park showcases local mountains, which are remnants of ancient Appalachians. At 1,625 feet, Crowders Mountain features 100- to 150-foot cliffs. Outdoor enthusiasts may go hiking or rock-climbing in the park.

Mill Bridge Scenic Byway (serene farmlands)

35 miles north of Charlotte

Start near Salisbury on Sherrills Ford Road (State Road 1526) at the intersection of N.C. Highway 150. Keep traveling on State Road 1526 to view Thyatira Church, one of North Carolina’s oldest Presbyterian churches. Take a break and relax at Sloan Park, home to a restored 1823 mill and working waterwheel. Visitors may also enjoy a side trip to the Lazy Five Ranch, a drive-through animal park on 185 rolling acres. Nearly 450 exotic animals including zebras, ostriches, antelope, bison and reindeer can be seen from your car along the 3.5-mile drive. Drivers will once again intersect N.C. Highway 150. To continue, take a quick left onto Mill Bridge Road (State Road 1350) and keep going three miles. And, don’t forget to stop by one of the “pick-your-own” fruit and vegetable farms along the way.

Uwharrie Scenic Road

20 miles northeast from Charlotte on N.C. Highway 49
Travel on N.C. Highway 49 from Concord to Asheboro through the Uwharrie National Forest and view the Uwharrie Mountains, formed several hundred million years ago by volcanoes. Crops such as corn and winter wheat can be found along the way. Motorists may be interested in making a short side trip to Reed Gold Mine (see VisitNC.com), site of the first authenticated discovery of gold in the U.S. Another possible side trip would be to Denton Farm Park in Denton, only 20 miles from Asheboro and home to an impressive collection of restored buildings, including country stores, a church, post office and gristmill.

COASTAL PLAIN AND COASTAL SCENIC DRIVES

Pamlico Scenic Byway (bring your fishing pole)
Washington (eastern North Carolina) – 22 miles east of Greenville From the Washington waterfront, this scenic byway follows the Pamlico River to the Pamlico Sound on a 127-mile journey. This drive on N.C. Highway 32, N.C. Highway 92 and U.S. Highway 264 passes through the wetlands and maritime forests of the Alligator River National Refuge, the fishing village of Stumpy Point and the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge, which presents an impressive view of the waterway for miles. Note the nearby U.S. Army and Navy bombing ranges along U.S. Highway 264. Also, be sure to watch for the almost extinct red wolves along the last portion of the route.

Blue-Gray Scenic Byway (experience North Carolina’s history and heritage)
About 25 miles south of Raleigh Begin near Smithfield in Johnston County from the U.S. Highway 701/Interstate 95 interchange at Exit 90 and continues on to Route’s end in Trenton, near the Trent River.
The naming and destination of this route signifies the great role North Carolina played in the Civil War. The byway hosts many notable historic markers detailing battle sites along the 82-mile drive including the Bentonville Battleground Historic Site, location of the bloodiest battle ever fought on North Carolina soil in 1865. New Bern, founded in 1710, is a quaint town filled with charming bed and breakfast inns, located approximately 25 miles northeast of Trenton.

Alligator River Route (watch for wildlife)
New Holland (Hyde County) to Manteo (Roanoke Island) This route will take you through wetlands, swamps and farmlands on N.C. Highway 94 and U.S. Highway 64 along 71 miles of North Carolina’s Coast. You will cross the Intracoastal Waterway on a drawbridge. Just north of the Waterway, you will cross the Alligator River near its headwaters. The Big Savannah, a straight marsh or slough, covers the area between Columbia and the Alligator River, a distance of 8.2 miles. Be prepared to stop as Alligator River operates a 2.7-mile long bridge with a swing section for boats following the Intracoastal Waterway. Once across the river you will enter into Dare County and the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Continue through the fishing village of Mann’s Harbor, and pass Croatan Sound to Roanoke Island. Croatan Sound connects the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds by way of the 2.7-mile-long bridge. Other points of interest may be found on the Outer Banks Islands to the east: Wright Brothers Monument and Jockey’s Ridge, the largest active sand dune on the East Coast.
Three distinct regions with breathtaking beauty, endless adventures and experiences you’ll never forget – all in one state: North Carolina. It’s time to gear up for a fall getaway like no other. Go to VisitNC.com to plan your next adventure now!

 
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