The short answer
The Cherohala Skyway starts in Tellico Plains, about an hour south of Tennessee National, the gated lake and golf community on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee. The National Scenic Byway climbs through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests to Robbinsville, North Carolina. There is no gas on the Skyway, so fill up first and plan a full day.
Key facts
- The Cherohala Skyway is a National Scenic Byway between Tellico Plains, Tennessee and Robbinsville, North Carolina.
- The start in Tellico Plains is about an hour south of Tennessee National.
- The road crosses the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina.
- There are no gas stations or stores on the Skyway itself.
- Winter weather at the high elevations can make the road dangerous. Check conditions first.
Every place has one drive it shows visitors. Around here, the Cherohala Skyway is on the short list. It is a mountain road with overlooks and almost nothing else. No towns and no gas stations.
Tennessee National is a private, gated lake and golf community on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee. The Skyway begins about an hour south. Here is how to make a day of it.
How far is the Cherohala Skyway from Tennessee National?
About an hour to the start. The Skyway begins in Tellico Plains, a small town in Monroe County, the next county south of Loudon County.
From the gate, head south to Sweetwater, then follow TN-68 through Madisonville to Tellico Plains. From there the Skyway climbs east through the Cherokee National Forest, crosses into North Carolina and the Nantahala National Forest, and ends in Robbinsville. The name blends the two forests: Cherokee and Nantahala.
| Plan | What you drive | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| The short version | Tellico Plains up to the high overlooks near the state line, then back | A half day on the mountain, plus the drive from home |
| The full version | Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, North Carolina, then back | A full day |
Either way, leave after breakfast and plan to be back at the lake for sunset.
What is the drive like?
A steady climb with a lot of pull-offs. The road rises from the Tellico River valley to high overlooks near the state line, then drops toward Robbinsville. It is noticeably cooler at the top, so bring a layer even in summer.
Know these things before you go:
- There are no services on the Skyway. No gas and no stores. A few stops have restrooms. Fill the tank and pack lunch in Tellico Plains.
- It is popular with motorcycles and sports cars. Expect them on fair-weather weekends. Take the curves at your own pace and use the pull-offs to let faster traffic by.
- Do not count on a phone signal. Save your map before you leave town.
- Winter is a different road. Ice and snow at the top can make it dangerous. Check conditions before you go.
- Storms close roads here. Heavy rain can wash out mountain and forest roads, and repairs take time. Check the Cherokee National Forest alerts page before you leave.
What should you stop for along the way?
Four stops cover it.
| Stop | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tellico Plains | The last town, with gas and food | The start of the Skyway |
| Bald River Falls | A waterfall you can see from the road | A side trip along the Tellico River, near the start |
| Indian Boundary | A Forest Service recreation area with a small lake and a flat loop trail | A short side road off the Skyway |
| The high overlooks | Long views across the ridges into North Carolina | Near the state line |
Bald River Falls is the stop first-time visitors talk about afterward. The falls drop beside a forest road along the Tellico River, and you can see them from the bridge without a hike. Forest roads close now and then for repairs or weather, so check with the Cherokee National Forest before you count on it.
Indian Boundary is the easy walk. A flat trail circles the lake, and it is a good picnic stop. It is a Forest Service site with its own seasons, so confirm what is open.
The high overlooks are the reason for the drive. Pick a clear day. On a hazy or cloudy day, the top can be inside the weather.
When is the best time to drive the Cherohala Skyway?
Fall, for the color. The leaves turn at the top first and work down the mountain, so the high overlooks peak before the valley does. Timing shifts every year. Check a current fall color report instead of trusting a date.
Late spring is the other good window, when the waterfalls run strong. Summer is green, and it is cooler up high than at the lake. In winter, wait for a clear, dry day and check the road first.
Should you turn around or make it a loop?
Turn around, most days. The simple version is out and back. Drive to the high overlooks, or on to Robbinsville, then return the way you came. You see every view twice, once from each direction.
Loop routes home through North Carolina exist. They are long and very curvy, and mountain roads in that corner close at times for weather or repairs. Plan a loop as its own trip, with a map and a road report in hand.
What does this drive say about living at Tennessee National?
It answers a fair question. What is in reach on an ordinary Saturday?
- A National Scenic Byway that starts about an hour south.
- The Great Smoky Mountains, about an hour away.
- Chattanooga, about an hour and a quarter.
- Knoxville, about 30 minutes.
Nobody buys a homesite because of a scenic drive. But the days between trips are spent on Watts Bar Lake, with a full-service marina, a Greg Norman Signature golf course and 22 social clubs inside the gates. See marina and lake life.
Other days out from the same gate:
- The Fort Loudoun and Sequoyah history day trip is also in Monroe County, and closer to home.
- The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge day trip covers the busy side of the Smokies.
- The Big South Fork day trip goes north instead.
The area guide maps what is close to home.
The honest trade-off
It is a day in the car. If curves make you carsick, sit up front or skip it. There is nowhere to buy lunch between Tellico Plains and Robbinsville. And the weather at the top is not the weather at the lake.
Check before you go, and call it off if the forecast is poor. The road will be there next week.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Cherohala Skyway start?
The Cherohala Skyway starts in Tellico Plains, Tennessee and ends in Robbinsville, North Carolina. Tellico Plains is about an hour south of Tennessee National, the gated lake and golf community on Watts Bar Lake in Loudon, Tennessee.
Is there gas on the Cherohala Skyway?
No. There are no gas stations or stores on the Cherohala Skyway, only a few restrooms. Fill up and buy food in Tellico Plains before the climb, or in Robbinsville, North Carolina at the other end.
Is the Cherohala Skyway safe to drive in winter?
The Cherohala Skyway can be dangerous in winter, because ice and snow build at the high elevations. Anyone driving from Tennessee National should check road conditions with the state transportation departments and the national forests before leaving, and wait for a clear, dry day.
When is fall color best on the Cherohala Skyway?
Fall color on the Cherohala Skyway starts at the highest overlooks and moves down the mountain, so the top peaks before the valley. Timing changes every year. Check a current fall color report for the Cherokee National Forest before driving from Tennessee National.
Facts about Tennessee National come from the community. Lake facts come from TVA. Rules, taxes, loans and insurance change, so confirm anything that affects a purchase with the right office or professional before you buy.