Bald River Falls Spring 2004. Sunset from Turkey Creek Overlook October 2003. Driving through Fall colors 2002.
 


 

 

Explore The Cherokee and Nantahala Forests

 

Calm Fall day along the Tellico River at Tellico Beach.

 

 

Highway 143 descending down toward Robbinsville, NC. Near Spirit Ridge Overlook.


 

October Sunset at Turkey Creek Overlook.

 

 

Maple showing Fall colors near Lake View Overlook.

 

 

View toward Hemlock Knob near Brushy Ridge Overlook.

 

 

 

  Click for Tellico Plains, Tennessee Forecast

Click Above for Tellico Plains, TN Weather

 

  Click for Robbinsville, North Carolina Forecast
Click Above for Robbinsville, NC Weather

Skyway on an early September morning, Waucheesi Mountain in the background.

 

Drive the Cherohala Skyway

National Scenic Byway Located in Southeast Tennessee

   This Beautiful mountain highway, named after the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina; was in the planning and construction stages for more than 38 years. The Skyway was officially dedicated on October 12th. 1996 by Congressman John J. Duncan and other dignitaries at the Unicoi Crest Overlook near the TN/NC stateline.

   During the 38 years of planning and construction, the only access to Robbinsville was via a crooked gravel Forest Service road, which took over two hours to travel. Now you can literally drive into the clouds above Tellico Plains and Robbinsville. Wagon trains have traveled to Robbinsville for nearly all of the 38 years, to stress the need for a good road across the mountains.

   Maximum elevation along the 51 mile stretch of road is above 5,400 at its highest point. It crosses near Haw Knob elevation 5,472 feet the highest point in Monroe County. On either side of the State line you will be traveling by the rapids of mountain streams, alongside Tellico River, and nearby North River and Citico Creek on the Tennessee side; and Santeetlah Creek on the North Carolina side. Bald River Falls is just a short drive off the skyway.

   About 22 miles East of Tellico Plains, you will travel across a 700 foot bridge at the 4,000 foot elevation. The Charles Hall Bridge is one of the highest major bridges in the Southeast, named after former Tellico Plains Mayor Charles Hall, the person instrumental in getting the skyway completed.

   You will not see a service station or restaurant on the Skyway, but stations are located in Tellico and Robbinsville. Restaurants located in Tellico are: The Tellico Beach Drive-In and Hardee's and Subway and Tellico Pizza, and the Town Square Cafe are located in the town of Tellico Plains.

 

Unicoi Crest Overlook, view toward North River and Tellico River.
Unicoi Crest Overlook Near TN/NC Line Where
the Skyway Was Dedicated in 1996

 

 

Late Winter snow along the skyway, near Lake View Overlook.

Late Winter Snow on the Skyway
Near Lake View Overlook

 

 

Photos on These Cherohala Skyway Pages
By Tellico Plains Native - Jack Waters Copyright 1997-2009

 


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