Sometimes the best way to take in these mountains is from behind the wheel, windows down, a ridgeline unrolling ahead. The far-west North Carolina mountains and the nearby Georgia line are laced with some of the finest scenic drives in the Southeast — from the mile-high Cherohala Skyway to winding river roads and ridge-top overlooks, all within easy reach of Murphy. Scenic drives near Murphy, NC reward an unhurried pace: stop at the pull-offs, let the views open up, and time your trip to the season. Here's a guide to the standout routes and overlooks, what makes each special, and how to plan a drive that makes the most of the day. The hardest part is choosing which route to take first, because in this corner of the mountains a spectacular drive is rarely more than a few minutes from wherever you happen to be.
Key Takeaways
- The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Robbinsville, NC to Tellico Plains, TN.
- It climbs to over 5,000 feet, with many overlooks and a high point near 5,390 feet.
- River roads along the Hiwassee, Nantahala, and Ocoee offer water-level scenic drives.
- Brasstown Bald and ridge overlooks give sweeping, multi-state views across the line in Georgia.
- Fall is spectacular, but confirm seasonal road status, since high routes can close in winter.
The Cherohala Skyway: the crown jewel
If you take one scenic drive in the region, make it the Cherohala Skyway. This 43-mile National Scenic Byway connects Robbinsville, North Carolina with Tellico Plains, Tennessee, climbing from the valleys to over 5,000 feet along the crest of the Unicoi Mountains — its high point, the Santeetlah Overlook, sits around 5,390 feet. Completed in 1996 after decades of effort, the road takes its name from the two national forests it crosses: "Chero" from the Cherokee and "hala" from the Nantahala. The driving itself is a pleasure — long, sweeping curves rather than the white-knuckle technicality of some mountain roads — which makes it a favorite of motorcyclists and sports-car drivers as well as families out for the views. Numerous overlooks line the route with picnic spots and trailheads, and the vistas of ridge after forested ridge are genuinely breathtaking. A few practical notes: there are essentially no services along the byway, so fuel up and pack water and snacks, temperatures can drop sharply as you climb, and morning fog can settle on the highest stretches before clearing by afternoon. Allow a few hours to enjoy it properly.
River roads and water-level drives
Not every great drive climbs to the ridges — some of the most beautiful follow the rivers at the bottom of the gorges. A few favorites:
- The Hiwassee River — roads tracing the Hiwassee offer easy, scenic driving past water, rock, and forest, with frequent pull-offs.
- The Nantahala Gorge — the drive through the gorge along the Nantahala River is dramatic, with whitewater, steep walls, and deep forest.
- The Ocoee Scenic Byway — across the Tennessee line, the route along the Ocoee River pairs whitewater with mountain scenery.
- Backroads to the lakes — quieter roads around Hiwassee, Chatuge, and Nottely deliver glimpses of water and ridgeline.
River drives are especially rewarding in the wetter months and after rain, when the water runs full, and they pair naturally with a stop to watch paddlers or dip your feet in the current.
Ridge overlooks and high-country views
For sheer, sweeping vistas, the high overlooks of the region are hard to beat, and several are an easy drive from Murphy. Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet, is the standout — a drive up GA-180 and the spur road brings you near the summit, where a short walk or shuttle reaches a 360-degree observation deck with views of up to four states on a clear day. The Cherohala Skyway's overlooks, described above, deliver high-country panoramas without any hiking. Closer to home, ridge roads and gaps around the area offer their own pull-offs and long-range views, and the drive up toward many mountain communities rewards you with vistas that the residents enjoy daily. Even the approach roads to the lakes and the higher neighborhoods around Murphy and Hayesville can serve up memorable views around a bend. The beauty of the far-west mountains is that spectacular scenery is rarely far from the road — a short detour or a slightly longer way home often turns up an overlook worth the stop. Some high routes and summit access are seasonal, so confirm current status before you set out.
Drives by season
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wildflowers, full rivers, fresh green; some high routes still cool |
| Summer | Lush forest and cool high-elevation air; morning fog possible |
| Fall | Spectacular color, especially on the Skyway; peak crowds |
| Winter | Long bare-tree views, but high routes may close — confirm status |
Fall is the showstopper, with the Cherohala Skyway among the best leaf drives anywhere, but every season has its rewards. Always check road and seasonal access before high-country drives.
Tips for a great scenic drive
A few simple habits make a mountain drive safer and more enjoyable. Fuel up before you head out, especially on the Cherohala Skyway and other high routes where services are scarce, and pack water, snacks, and a layer, since temperatures drop with elevation. Take your time and use the pull-offs — these roads are about the journey, not the destination, and the overlooks are where the magic happens, so resist the urge to rush. Be mindful of others on the road: motorcyclists and sports cars favor routes like the Skyway and the nearby Tail of the Dragon, so drive predictably and let faster traffic pass safely. Watch for wildlife, fog, and changing conditions, particularly in early morning and at higher elevations, and slow down on curves you can't see around. A camera or phone for photos, a full tank, and an unhurried attitude are really all you need. And consider building the drive into a larger day — pairing the Skyway with a stop at Lake Santeetlah or Joyce Kilmer, or a river road with a lakeside lunch — to make the most of the spectacular country these routes pass through.
More than a drive: the mountain road experience
There's a reason scenic drives hold such a place in mountain culture. Beyond the destinations and overlooks, the act of driving these roads — the rhythm of the curves, the way the light filters through the canopy, the sudden reveal of a valley around a bend — is its own deeply satisfying pleasure. It's how locals unwind on a Sunday and how visitors first grasp the scale and beauty of the region, and it asks nothing more than a full tank and an open afternoon. The far-west mountains are especially rich in this regard, with high byways, river gorges, lake roads, and ridge routes all within a short radius of one another, so you can string together very different drives in a single day or return again and again to favorites in different seasons. Many residents will tell you that one of the quiet joys of living here is that the spectacular is part of the everyday commute — that the drive to town or up to the house delivers views people travel hundreds of miles to see. Whether you come for a single famous byway or simply wander the back roads with no particular destination, the mountain roads have a way of slowing you down and reminding you why this corner of the country casts such a spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic drive near Murphy, NC?
The Cherohala Skyway is the standout — a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Robbinsville, NC to Tellico Plains, TN, climbing over 5,000 feet with sweeping overlooks. River roads and the drive up Brasstown Bald are other favorites.
How long does the Cherohala Skyway take?
Driving it straight through takes a couple of hours, but it's best to allow a half-day to enjoy the overlooks, picnic spots, and trailheads. There are essentially no services along the route, so fuel up and pack water and snacks.
When is the best time for scenic drives here?
Fall is spectacular for color, especially on the Cherohala Skyway, though it draws crowds. Spring and summer offer green forests and full rivers, and winter gives long bare-tree views — but high routes may close, so confirm seasonal status.
Are the high mountain roads open year-round?
Not always. High routes like the Cherohala Skyway and summit access such as Brasstown Bald can be affected or closed by winter weather and ice. Always confirm current road and seasonal access before setting out on high-country drives.
What should I bring on a mountain scenic drive?
Fuel up beforehand, and bring water, snacks, and a layer for cooler high elevations, plus a camera. Drive predictably, use the pull-offs, and watch for fog, wildlife, and motorcyclists, especially in the early morning and on curves.
See the mountains from the road
A scenic drive is one of the simplest, most spectacular ways to fall for this corner of the mountains. If the views have you dreaming of a place of your own, you can browse current listings around Murphy, read about the best hiking trails in the area, or reach out to Bonnie DuPree to talk through what you're looking for in the mountains.
The DuPree Real Estate Group is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Town & Country · Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.
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