When was the Cherohala Skyway built?
Usa, north-america
83.36 km
1,646 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the most stunning drives you'll find anywhere. This fully paved beauty stretches for about 52 miles (83km), linking Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC, as TN-165 and NC-143. It took a whopping 34 years to build, finally opening in 1996! The name? A mashup of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests it slices through.
Be prepared for some serious elevation! You'll climb to around 5,400 feet (1,600m) near the state line at Santeetlah Overlook, near Haw Knob. Even in summer, the weather can throw you curveballs – think dense fog, thick clouds, and chilly temps. Layer up!
This mile-high route offers an unforgettable experience. It's a hidden gem with breathtaking overlooks around every bend. Motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts love it for the long, sweeping corners. Just be aware that it can feel isolated at night and turn treacherous in winter. The two-lane road has wide shoulders and plenty of scenic overlooks (15!), so you can pull over and soak in the views.
Give yourself two to three hours to drive it without stops, but honestly, you’ll want to take longer. Nestled amidst hardwood and evergreen forests, this easy drive delivers incredible mountain vistas, vibrant foliage, and cascading waterfalls. It’s a perfect taste of the southern Appalachian Mountains at their finest. Don’t forget your camera!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 83.36 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,646 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardRelay Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Relay Peak in Nevada's Washoe County is calling your name. This ain't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a serious climb to 10,177 feet! You'll find this beast of a road, NF-051, nestled inside the Mount Rose Wilderness of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Forget smooth asphalt, it's all about that rugged gravel and rocky terrain. Definitely a summer-only kind of trek, unless you're rocking a snowmobile! If unpaved mountain roads give you the jitters, maybe skip this one. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to conquer this steep climb. And if heights aren't your thing? Well, let's just say the views are breathtaking...in more ways than one! Your reward at the summit? A microwave station and some seriously epic scenery. Get ready for an unforgettable off-road adventure!
moderateHow long is Lake Creek Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you wanna explore Utah's backcountry? Check out Lake Creek Road (aka Forest Road 642) in Beaver County, nestled in Fishlake National Forest. It's a super cool, totally unpaved mountain road that'll give you a taste of real Utah wilderness. Yeah, it's short – only 1.4 miles – but don't let that fool you. The drive follows the Stream River, winding from Forest Road 129 to the awesome Lake Stream Trailhead Campground. Word of warning: this road is HIGH. We're talking 10,498 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude and crazy Utah weather, Lake Creek Road is usually closed from October through June. Snow makes it impassable! But when it's open? Get ready for some seriously epic scenery that you won't forget!
difficultDalton Highway
🇺🇸 United States
# The Dalton Highway: Alaska's Ultimate Wild Ride Ready for an adventure that'll test your mettle? The Dalton Highway stretches 666 kilometers of pure, unfiltered Alaska wilderness, running from just north of Fairbanks all the way up to Deadhorse near Prudhoe Bay. Built back in 1974 to service the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and oil operations, this gravel and dirt beast has earned its reputation as one of the most remote roads you can drive in the entire United States. The journey takes you through some seriously diverse terrain. You'll cross the Yukon River, climb through the Brooks Range via the dramatic Atigun Pass (1,415 meters), and punch through the Arctic Circle before emerging onto endless Arctic tundra. The landscape morphs from dense boreal forest in the south to completely treeless, barren tundra up north—it's like driving through different worlds. Now, let's be real: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The gravel and dirt surface turns gnarly when wet or during those freeze-thaw cycles, and services? Forget about it. You've got exactly three pit stops for fuel, food, and shelter across the entire route—the Yukon River crossing, the tiny outpost of Coldfoot (seriously, like 10 people live there), and Deadhorse. Sharp gravel punctures are basically a rite of passage, so pack at least two full-sized spares. Oh, and those massive 18-wheel supply trucks heading to the oil fields? They kick up absolutely blinding dust clouds that'll coat everything. But here's why people do this: the Dalton offers unmatched wilderness. You might spot caribou herds, grizzlies, muskoxen, wolves, and Arctic foxes roaming free. Summer brings the midnight sun lighting up the landscape 24/7 (June-July), while winter serves up otherworldly northern lights. Fair warning though—winter temperatures plunge below minus 50 degrees Celsius, and whiteout conditions can strand you for days. The road stays open year-round, but Mother Nature calls the shots here.
moderateHow to drive the Black Eagle Mine Road in California?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for the Black Eagle Mine Road! Nestled in Riverside County, California, this backcountry trail is hidden within Joshua Tree National Park and its surrounding lands. Stretching just over 19 miles from Pinto Basin Road/Old Dale Road to Eagle Mountain Mine, this unpaved path starts mellow with a sandy surface, but don't get too comfortable. As you venture deeper, things get rougher, demanding four-wheel drive, especially for the return trip. Trust me, you'll want that extra traction! Keep an eye out for a massive stone roadblock near the end (coordinates 33.867026, -115.579008). Sure, you might squeeze past it, but another, tougher obstacle awaits just a hundred yards beyond. The weather here is no joke, so skip this trip in the scorching summer months. While the scenery isn't mind-blowing, you'll spot remnants of old mine claims, like Barry Storm's Jade Mine and the Black Eagle Gold Mine. The road skirts Pinto Basin, crisscrosses dry washes, and snakes through canyons in the Eagle Mountains. But a word of caution: the mines may be too dangerous to approach, so admire from afar. Definitely bring a buddy! Two vehicles are safer than one in case of trouble. Remember, this is a remote area with zero cell service, and the rocky terrain passes by numerous side roads leading to other abandoned gold mines.