The Ultimate Guide To Asheville and the Western North Carolina Mountains

The Online Version of the Best-selling Regional Guidebook
 

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The Cherohala Skyway was completed and dedicated in 1996 and cost over $100,000,000 to construct. Spectacular to say the least, the road has been designated a National Scenic Byway. The Skyway crosses through the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. The Skyway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, with Robbinsville, North Carolina, and is about 50 miles long. It is a wide, paved 2-laned road maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the elevations range from 900 feet above sea level at the Tellico River in Tennessee to over 5400 feet above sea level at the Tennessee-North Carolina state line at Haw Knob (mile marker 11).
    The name “Cherohala” comes from the names of the two National Forests: “Cher” from the Cherokee and “ahala” from the Nantahala. The Cherohala Skyway is located in southeast Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. Keep in mind that the skyway can be desolate at night and dangerous driving in the winter months. There are no facilities other than restrooms for the entire 50 miles so make sure you have plenty of gas.

Website: Cherohala Skyway
Location: West of Asheville
Address: Graham County Visitor Center:  12 North Main Street, Robbinsville NC 28711
Distance: From Asheville, approximately 2^1/2 hours driving time.
Telephone: 828-479-3790
Tips: Gas up before you start the Skyway. Stop in at Graham County Visitor Center for free maps and additional information.
Nearby: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Fontana Lake, Lake Santeetlah, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Nantahala National Forest
Directions: From Asheville take 1-40 West. Take Exit 27 to merge onto US Highway 74 West towards Waynesville/Murphy/US19. Turn right at Highway19West/74  and continue to follow US 19/74. Turn right at US 129/Tallulah Rd. Continue to follow US 129 into Robbinsville.  Turn left at Massey Branch Road/NC 1116/NC 143. Turn right at NC 1127/NC143/Snowbird Road. Turn right at NC 143/Santeetlah road and continue to follow 143 to the Skyway.