Cherohala Skyway

With mile high views and sweeping mountain curves, it’s easy to see why the Cherohala Skyway is a fantasy come true for road enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.  Rivaling the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway offers breathtaking sights with the advantage of being relatively undiscovered with substantially less traffic.

Besides the million dollar views, you’ll have the distinction of traveling a $100 million dollar highway, North Carolina’s most expensive.  By my calculations that puts the sticker shock at well over $2 million per mile.  Must be some pavement with genuine diamond bling!

The real reason it took big bucks and 34 years to build is the winding path through mile high Appalachian mountain passes and uninhabited wilderness. Completed in 1996, The Skyway met its goal of connecting Robbinsville, NC to Tellico Plains, TN.  It is known as Highway NC 143 on the North Carolina side turning into Highway TN 165 when you cross the state line to the Tennessee side.

It’s easy to see why the Cherohala Skyway is designated as one of America’s National Scenic Byways.  Their official DOT site lists the mileage at 43 miles.  I’ve seen other sources place the mileage anywhere from 36 to 50 miles. The differences result from varying start and stop points. 

The highest portion of road is found at Santeetlah Overlook on the North Carolina section with elevation of 5,390 feet.  That is a rise of 2,730 feet in about 10 miles!  It can get chilly at the higher elevations and there is snow in the winter, so plan accordingly. 

It is worth the 6 mile side trip up Forest Service Road #210 to see Bald River Falls on the TN side. 

Wondering where the name comes from?  Well the Skyway crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests so it combines a bit of both with “Chero” “hala.  If you don’t want to brave mangling the name, just refer to it as the Skyway.  People in these parts will know what you are talking about.

Whatever you decide to call it, just be sure to ride this nice piece of asphalt!  We highly recommend combining it with the Dragon to experience the full Dragon-Skyway Loop, one of our favorite area rides!

Getting There…

The Skyway starts on NC 143 at Santeetlah Gap (close to the turn off to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest which is about 12 miles outside of Robbinsville, NC).  The Skyway runs for approximately 15 miles on the NC side with the remainder in TN.

The DOT Byways site shows the other end at the Information Station in Tellico Plains.  As a practical matter most people drive between Robbinsville, NC (143/129 intersection) and Tellico Plains, TN (68/165 intersection) which is about 53 miles between these two Highway intersections.  Allow 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on stops, to drive the Cherohala Skyway and be sure to start out with enough fuel!

From Asheville or Robbinsville, NC to Cherohala Skyway

• Follow US 74 west for approximately 70 miles, and then turn north onto US 129.
• Take US 129 to Robbinsville, NC.
• Go North on US 129 through the town of Robbinsville (NC 143 will merge into US 129 at the main light for a short way.  Best to avoid the Business 143 loop).
• Turn Left onto NC-143 off US 129 following the signs to Cherohala Skyway.
• Follow NC-143 for 12 miles to the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway at Santeetlah Gap.

From Knoxville, TN to Cherohala Skyway

• Take I-75 southwest to Sweetwater.
• Get on TN-68 and go southwest to Tellico Plains.
• Take TN-165 through Tellico Plains to where the byway begins.