Fall is finally upon us and that can only mean a few things. Pumpkin spices everything is now available everywhere. The best spooky movies are becoming available across all the streaming services. Women and men alike are pulling out their favorite boots and coats. One thing, however, is able to top all those monumental events a chill has entered the air and with it, the leaves are beginning to change to the most beautiful colors of the year. Sorry, green we love you, but you know it’s true.
Everyone wants to see the rolling Appalachian mountains in their best fall gear. No matter how you plan to see the leaves you will have to drive to get to them. Did you know though that some of the best views of the fall colors can be seen from the seats of your very own car? Well, it is true. Scenic byways are scattered all through the mountains and offer amazing views that even a hike can hardly beat. Some of the drives are long and some are short but all offer views that just have to be seen to believed.
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Cherohala Skyway
North Carolina’s most expensive highway coming in at a total cost of 100 million dollars. That’s almost three million dollars a mile. The Skyway stretches from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina. It is popular with motorcycles due to its remote nature and long sweeping turns.
The skyway is impressive not only for its amazing views but the difference in whether you can experience along the drive. At times the temperature can drop up to twenty degrees within just eleven miles. With the extreme temperature changes be sure to pack a few extra layers to put on while taking in the overlooks or hiking one of the many trails that start just off the side of the road.
Once you are about halfway into the drive you will be about 30 miles from the nearest gas station or store. Due to how remote you are on the drive it is always important to remember to have plenty of gas and even a few drinks and snacks. Many of the overlooks offer picnic tables so you are welcome to bring a packed lunch and relax a while. Bathrooms are provided at a few of the stops as well and are clearly marked on the road signs.
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US-129 The Dragon
The Dragon is its own beast altogether. US-129 is famous for having 318 turns in on 11 miles section. Touted as one of the best drives in the US people travel from all over just to try and tame the Dragon. This road is definitely more about the driving than taking in great views. One very beautiful scenic view is located at mile marker 11 and offers a great view of the valley and where the lake turns back into a river. The road is also deep in the woods so you will be driving right through many of the colors you came to see.
This road really makes the list since it allows you to access many other great roads. The quickest way to get to Fontana Dam from the Knoxville area is by going up the dragon. If you want to drive the Cherohala Skyway and make a loop out of it you can take the Dragon in our out. When heading into the smokies US-129 makes the possibilities endless.
One of the coolest things about The Dragon are the photographers that are staged off the side of the road on a daily basis. They take a picture of every vehicle that passes them. You can check them out by searching for US-129 photos. If you decide to take on The Dragon be sure to mind the speed limit and try not to get bit.
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Ocoee Scenic Byway
26 miles of great road that winds through Cherokee National Forest and following the wild waters of the Ocoee River. Unlike the other roads on this list, the Ocoee runs at the base of the mountains. While this road does not offer tons of mountaintop views you can not beat the colors reflecting off the river and the large lake.
By taking Oswald road you are able to take in a great view of the mountains that surround Parksville Lake. Oswald road is closer to Cleveland and easily found by using your GPS system. The overlook is located at about 2 miles up the road. A few hiking trails can be found along these small side adventure.
During the warmer months, the road is crowded with whitewater rafting companies and kayakers. The cooler month, however, offer the road a little less busy. One section begins near the town of Cleveland and stretches down towards Ducktown. Both towns are full of charm and offer places to fill up both your vehicle and your stomachs.
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The Blue Ridge Parkway
The longest of all the drivers on this list the Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles. It stretches across most of the state of North Carolina and offers what could be days of great driving and even better views. The Parkway offers pull-offs almost around every corner each offer an amazing view that is different than the last.
Since the parkway is so long you have the ability to really pick the exact area you would like to see. For instance, we really enjoyed stopping at the highest point in the Parkway to take in the view and experience life at over a mile above sea level. The section of the road that takes you to the highest point is also spectacular as you are almost riding the ridge of the mountains. For a few minutes you will have a great view on one side of the car and before you know it the view switches to the other side of the vehicle.
A visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway is not just about driving from view to view. Great places to shop, eat, hike and even more are easily found across the Parkway. From quaint small towns to amazing hikes the Parkway has it all. A trip spent cruising and soaking up the great views is a trip the whole family will be able to cherish for years to come. Just a tip though be sure to fill up before starting on the parkway cause the gas stations tend to be few and far in between.
Thank you for reading!
All of these drives are amazing and we have done each of them during different times of the year. They each offer something unique that you can not get anywhere else. There are a few things to remember when embarking on one of these amazing drives. Before starting the drive be sure to have plenty of gas. A few of the drives are pretty long and have far stretched between gas stations. It is also a good idea to bring a few snacks and drinks just in case. Also be sure to obey all posted speed limits. Many of these roads have sharp turns and switchbacks that can cause accidents if not careful.
We really can not recommend driving one of these great roads in the fall enough. If you do go one of these drives please let us know and share a picture. Do you have a favorite drive to take in the fall? Please let us know in the comments we are always looking for the next great road.
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As always we thank you so much for reading this and have a great rest of your day! God Bless!
