Hit the road in North Carolina’s mountains

October 2, 6:00 PMCarolinas Travel ExaminerPaul McDaniel

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Blue Ridge Parkway (Paul McDaniel)

With the peak of the fall color season rapidly approaching within weeks, it’s time to head for the hills and experience some of the spectacular scenery in the mountains of western North Carolina. Several scenic drives through North Carolina’s Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains afford views unsurpassed by any other mountainous area in the eastern U.S. Motorists, hikers, backpackers, and others enjoy spending time in North Carolina’s mountains during any season, but the fall color in the mountains makes autumn a particularly unique time of year. With this in mind, check out the article “5 Scenic Drives in the Mountains of North Carolina” that I wrote for another travel website.

The southern highlands of western North Carolina, part of the Appalachian Mountain range, contain some the highest mountains in the eastern United States. Easily accessible from many areas throughout the southeast, this mountainous region is popular for its many scenic drives, as well as day hiking, camping, and backpacking opportunities. Spring, Summer, or Fall, the following is a list of some of the most scenic drives in western North Carolina (check local road conditions or closures if considering a winter drive in this area).”

• U.S. Highway 64 from Hendersonville to Murphy
• U.S. Highway 129 from Nantahala to Tennessee
• Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville to Virginia
• U.S. Highway 441 from Cherokee to Tennessee through Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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