I am often asked to post directions, etc. for the many beautiful places I've been fortunate enough to find and photograph. This tour is one of the easiest, with much of the scenery being visible right along the roads travelled - no hiking required! Thus it is particularly good for anyone with mobility issues.
Leave My Mountain and return to the 4-lane (Hwy 515) toward Blue Ridge. Turn right onto Hwy 60. Travel on Highway 60 through McCaysville, continuing on toward Ducktown, TN. The road changes from 60 to Hwy 68 once you cross into TN. Stay on Hwy 68 -you'll cross a big 4-lane - this is Hwy 64/74 - DO NOT TURN. Stay on Hwy 68 through the beautiful rural countryside for about 13 miles. It will drop you right into Tellico Plains. There are several fast food restaurants (Subway, Hardees), and a grocery store (Safeway) if you want to pick up picnic provisions. Or you can do what we did - go to Shorty's! When you come into Tellico Plains you will see the signs for the Cherohala Skyway. This incredibly well maintained road was built to connect the towns of Tellico Plains, TN and Robinsonville, NC, and is named after the Cherokee and Nantahala Forests. Google it for additional interesting information.
If you get on the Cherohala, you'll travel a very short distance and see Hwy 360 on your left. About 1/4 of a mile down the road is a Shell Gas Station and market, known as "Shorty's". The nice folks there will make you a delicious sandwich, and you can pick up soft drinks, chips, and other snacks for your day.
Return to the Cherohala, and make a left off of Hwy 360 to get back on. You will pass some additional restaurants, and see the beautiful Tellico River on your left. Continuing for 1-2 miles or so, watch for a road that goes off to the right, with a sign indicating "Bald River Falls". Take this road. It meanders along the Bald River - one of THE most beautiful, photogenic and simply delightful places I've ever been. There are numerous pull offs where you may stop to snap photos, or play in the river. Please be mindful that all 4 wheels must be off the narrow road at the pull offs for safety reasons, and the USFS folks are around to check! This is a frequently used road, and in autumn can be well populated. Drive slowly and graciously to avoid an unpleasant addition to your otherwise serene trip. There's no hurry! Relax and enjoy!
Staying on this road, you will come to a concrete bridge and as you cross it, the Bald River Falls are immediately on your right. They are stunning, and it is easy to get distracted by their beauty and not pay attention to the road. As the bridge is always populated with pedestrians, children, dogs enjoying the view, please continue to the parking area on the other side of the bridge, safely park and then walk the short distance back to enjoy the view. There is a hiking path from the parking area that takes you to the top of the falls on the left. On the non-parking side of the bridge, there is easy access to the river and the base of the falls, and you may also climb dry rocks to the top of the falls from this side, at your own risk, of course. :)
When you've had your fill of this beautiful waterfall, return to your vehicle and continue driving in the direction you were heading (i.e., do not turn around and go back, unless you're not interested in the rest of the tour.)
A short distance up the road you will find another waterfall, and just beyond it is a parking area with rest rooms. Locals enjoy sliding down through the lovely, wide falls into the cool pool below. Whether you decide to join them or not, it is a beautiful photo op.
Make a left out of the parking area to continue in the direction you were heading. You will drive along the Bald River, and may spot turkey, deer, and if you're lucky, a black bear. You will come to a road leading off the left (gravel) that indicates you will be heading toward Stratton Meadows. Take this road. It is typically in EXCELLENT condition and there is no difficulty whatsoever for any normal passenger vehicle. 1.1 miles along this road is what we call "faucet falls" - a beautiful spout of water that comes through a wall of rock. This is a fantastic photo op area, and the creek is fun to wade in. Be mindful of slippery rocks, especially where the water lands at the base of the rock wall. With many cascading mini-falls above the rock wall, you can literally spend hours playing, taking pictures, enjoying a picnic and just soaking up the peace and quiet.
Return to your car when finished, and continue along the road to Stratton Meadows. This will be a drive of several miles - continuing along the Bald River and then climbing in altitude steadily. You are not lost - there's no way to get lost because there are no other roads. Just keep driving and enjoying the scenery.
When you arrive at Stratton Meadows, you will actually drive under a concrete bridge that is part of the Cherohala (it's waaay above you so look up!). You will come to a T-intersection - go RIGHT. This will wrap around and put you directly onto the Cherohala. You are in North Carolina. If you take a left, you will enjoy some of the most scenic vistas imaginable. Turning right will take you back to Tennessee. I suggest taking the left and enjoying the drive! There are numerous pull offs for photography.
Near the NC end of the Cherohala is the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. The entrance is on the left. Take it. Continue down past the first road to the left which is a campground - not particularly scenic or interesting. The second left takes you to a lovely area with hiking trails and picnic tables. Running along the left side of the parking area is a deliciously cool stream with boulders covered in lichen that seem to glow in the dappled sunlight. This is another fantastic photo op location. Be mindful that wet, lichen-covered rocks are slippery. :)
Return to the Cherohala. At this point I usually turn right and head back to Tennessee. If you continue to the left, you can drive on to Deal's Gap and the Tail of the Dragon - a road legendary for 300+ turns in 11 short miles. It is not for those who suffer from motion sickness.
Turning right on the Cherhala, enjoy the drive and the scenery until you see the signs (in Tennessee) for Indian Boundary Lake. This is a large and stunning lake that offers a boat ramp, beach, walking trails...it is another great picnic location, or just a place to let the kids run off some steam and enjoy a dip in the water.
Return to the Cherohala, following it back into Tellico Plains. Get on Hwy 68 South for your return trip to Georgia. Enjoy!
Map: http://maps.randmcnally.com/?s=screen&loc1=McCaysville%2C%20GA&loc2=Tellico%20Plains%2C%20TN#s=screen&lat=39.11339950561523&lon=-94.62660217285156&zoom=10&loc1=McCaysville%2C%20GA&loc2=Tellico%20Plains%2C%20TN&loc3=&loc4=&loc5=&loc6=&loc7=&loc8=&loc9=&loc10=
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