Southeast Tennessee is blessed with two scenic highways offering vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see. It’s worth taking some extra time to add them to your driving tour through the area, stopping to enjoy the historic attractions and small towns along the way.

The Ocoee Scenic Byway was the first National Forest Scenic Byway in the nation. Originally part of the Old Copper Road that was built in the mid 1800s for horse drawn wagons to haul ore from the Copper Basin mines to Cleveland, TN, the Byway now leads motorists through the rugged Ocoee River Gorge from Ocoee to Ducktown. The landscape is dominated by rocky bluffs, the Ocoee River, and an historic hydroelectric dam system.

In 1958 the Tellico Plains Kiwanis Club began an annual wagon train from Tellico Plains to western North Carolina to publicize the need for a highway across the rugged Unaka Mountain Range. The dream became a reality in 1996 when the Cherohala Skyway was completed and dedicated as a National Scenic Byway. Today, motorists and cyclists soar through the clouds to enjoy the spectacular vistas found between Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC.

Wherever you are in the area, there’s a nationally-recognized scenic highway nearby.TN  Hwy. 68 is a good connector for the two.

Ocoee Scenic Byway

The first-ever U.S. Forest Service scenic byway was designated in the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County. It includes a portion of U.S. Hwy. 64 and Forest Service Road 77. About half of the U.S. 64 section passes through the Ocoee River Gorge. Forest Service Road 77 turns off U.S. 64 and wends its way up Chilhowee Mountain following the crest of the mountain.

Within this drive are rock bluffs, mountain peaks, Forest Service management activities, Lake Ocoee and the whitewater Ocoee River, all of which offer visitors magnificent views of natural beauty. The scenic byway offers ready access to whitewater rafting, boating, swimming and historical sites related to the Civil War and Cherokee Indian culture.

The Scenic Byway is easily reached from the Copper Basin area or West Polk County. In fact, U.S. 64 is the main link between the two sides of the county.

Along U.S. Hwy. 64

As you approach the Cherokee National Forest on Hwy. 64 heading east from Cleveland, Tn., the view includes Big Frog and Chilhowee mountains and the Big Frog Wilderness area. Entering the forest, you see an overlook with a magnificent view of the TVA dam that creates Lake Ocoee, also called Parksville Lake. In the background is Sugarloaf Mountain's sharp peak, a prominent landmark readily visible for many miles from nearly every direction. Sugarloaf Mountain Park is located just below the dam.

As you leave the dam site, several sightseeing pull-offs offer incredible views of Lake Ocoee with the Cherokee National Forest proudly painted as a backdrop. The 1,950 acre lake is entirely encompassed by National Forest land. Also look for TVA interpretive signs about the hydropower system.

Between mileposts 7 and 8 is the Ocoee Ranger District office, which serves as a welcome center with information, brochures and maps.

 In the Ocoee River Gorge, from April through October, there is an area of river recreation delight where whitewater rafters and kayakers take full advantage of the fun on the Ocoee River. The scene is dominated with views of the river and rock cliffs.

Just beyond the rafting exit point (the “takeout”) is the historic TVA #2 Powerhouse. A flume line, which carries the river water to the powerhouse, snakes its way around the bluffs of the Ocoee River Gorge for nearly five miles. Through a special arrangement with TVA, power generation gives way to whitewater rafting for five days during the summer months.

Approaching the upper end of the gorge between mileposts 17 and 18 is the boat launching area (the “put-in”) used by the rafting firms. It is here that a "stick dam" is seen, an engineering marvel where the flume begins.

More scenic beauty abounds with a view of both the Big Frog and Little Frog Wilderness areas and another segment of the Ocoee River. This section is normally dry because the water is used for producing electricity, although there are some water releases for recreation. Upstream water is diverted to a tunnel that goes through the mountain to powerhouse No. 3

The spot where the river veers away from the highway was the site of whitewater canoe and kayak slalom competition during the 1996 Olympic Games hosted by Atlanta. The Ocoee Whitewater Center remains to serve as visitor center and site for a variety of recreational opportunities, including a growing number of biking trails. The Center also features native gardens and a Cherokee garden.

Finally, at milepost 22 is the Boyd Gap Overlook, a perfect ending to a trip that abounds in "oohs" and "ahhs," for it is here that you get an eye-popping view of the splendor of the Cherokee National Forest. Continue on to TN Hwy 68 north and through Ducktown, Turtletown, Farner, Coker Creek and Tellico to the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway, or south into historic Copperhill and Georgia. If you continue east on Hwy. 64, you’ll be in North Carolina before you know it.

Along Forest Service Rd. 77

You can turn onto FS 77 off U.S. 64 about 200 yards east of the entrance to the Forest Service Ranger Station. A comfortable but steady climb begins immediately, leading you through a high-quality forest landscape. Around two miles up the mountain are two overlooks that offer breath-taking views across the Tennessee Valley and down to Ocoee Lake more than 600 feet below.

A climb of another mile brings you to one of the most magnificent views in East Tennessee. From here,  the Blue Ridge province,  Tennessee Valley and Cumberland Plateau are all within view.

Just to the south the entire length of Ocoee Lake is visible. Further to the south are the mountains in Big Frog and Cohutta wildernesses; and to the southwest is the metropolis of Chattanooga. On to the west is the pastoral Tennessee Valley. One could have seen great armies moving through the valley toward some of the most decisive conflicts of the Civil War 135 years ago.

After driving six miles, you reach a 1900-foot mountain plateau where several overlooks offer views to the west. Just down the road is a Civil War interpretive site where evidence of an 1865 skirmish and small Confederate campsite was found.

A short distance further, the seven-mile paved road section ends at Chilhowee Recreation Area.  A small confederate camp site/memorial is located on Chilhowee Mountain adjacent to FS 77.

Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway connects the Cherokee National Forest in Tellico Plains with the Nantahala National Forest in Robbinsville, N.C., crossing a mountain range along the way. It can be reached from Tellico Plains via TN Hwy. 165 or from Robbinsville, N.C. via NC Hwy 143. The 51-mile stretch of smooth asphalt offers the beauty that can only be found in the mountains.

The road is said to have more miles higher than 4,000 feet than any road east of the Mississippi. In some places, the road is 5200 feet above sea level; elevations of 5,000 feet are common. The views are spectacular on this ribbon across some of Mother Nature’s most awesome terrain.

Scenic overlooks dot the roadway and allow motorists phenomenal opportunities to take photographs. Numerous trails are available for horseback riding, motorbikes, hiking and mountain bikes. Chances abound to witness the serenity of a young doe quietly chomping on a leaf, watch a raccoon saunter across a knoll, or watch in awe as a bear lumbers into the forest.

Camping, picnicking, whitewater rafting, and llama trekking are just a few of the varied recreation opportunities available on both sides of the Skyway. Travelers wishing to drive across the serpentine road constantly witness visual gems spotlighting the rolling mountain rangers of Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina. Each season brings a different panorama, but don’t forget to watch for the numerous wildflowers along the roadsides.

Highlights (listed from the Tennessee side) include:

• Tellico River (920 feet), the scene of human occupation for 12,000 years. The river is famous for its trout fishing and whitewater rapids which create a challenge for canoeists and kayakers. There is an overlook and boating takeout at Oosterneck Creek.

• Turkey Creek overlook (2,630 feet) with view over the Tennessee River Valley. Tellico Plains can be seen in the distance.

• Indian Boundary Campground, just off the Skyway on Forest Service Road 345, has 100 campsites and a day use area.

• Brushy Ridge overlook (3,750 feet) with views of Sassafras Ridge and other major ridges.

• State line at Beech Gap (4,490 feet).

• Stratton Ridge (4,420 ft.) with picnic tables, restroom facilities, bulletin board.

• Santeetlah (5,390 ft.), over a mile high, the highest overlook along the Skyway.

• Hooper Bald Trailhead (5,290 ft). A quarter-mile hike leads to Hooper Bald. Information board, restrooms, picnic tables.

• Spirit Ridge (4,950 ft). A three-tenths mile easy stroll goes through a northern hardwood forest to a vista overlooking the byway.

•Shute Cove (3,550 ft.), provides picnic tables and a small platform for a view into the valley below.

• Santeetlah Gap (2,6609 ft.) is the entrance to the Skyway from the North Carolina side. A bulletin board provides information.

Allowing for stops, it takes about 1 1/2 - 2 hours to travel the length of the Skyway.