North Carolina's Scenic Byways Provide Beautiful Views Of Fall Colors

RALEIGH — For sightseers looking for beautiful views of fall colors, the N.C. Department of Transportation suggests taking in the scenery on the more than 1,800 miles of scenic byways along some of North Carolina’s less-traveled roads.

The NCDOT Scenic Byways program includes 51 designated routes that highlight the best of North Carolina’s diverse natural, cultural and historic treasures. The program also gives motorists the option of traveling the state’s less-traveled routes while enjoying attractions and scenery not found along busy urban corridors.
While each of the state’s scenic byways offers unique views of the fall leaves, the following byways give motorists the opportunity to explore some of North Carolina’s most spectacular fall scenery.
Mountains

Forest Heritage Scenic Byway — Located in Haywood, Transylvania and Jackson counties, this byway takes visitors through some of North Carolina’s richest forests and remote mountain farms. Beginning on U.S. 276 North at the U.S. 64/N.C. 280 intersection near Brevard, the road travels through the Pisgah National Forest and past the Pisgah Forest National Fish Hatchery, which raises trout to be released in mountain streams. A pull-off view of the 85-foot Looking Glass Falls is just past the hatchery, followed by Sliding Rock Falls, a popular summer swimming locale. Three miles from Sliding Rock is the Cradle of Forestry, the birthplace of scientific forestry and forestry education. On the way to Bethel, head south on N.C. 215 and follow the West Fork of the Pigeon River, going past mountain farms, waterfalls and Cold Mountain. Eventually, the last eight miles run parallel with the French Broad River to U.S. 64.

Interstate 26 Scenic Highway — Even though it is only nine miles long, this route takes motorists through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains and across some of the highest terrain in the state. Heading north from Asheville, take the future I-26 (U.S. 19/23) to Mars Hill. The byway begins at Exit 9 and heads north to Sam’s Gap and the Tennessee state line and features two scenic overlooks. The first overlook gives a sweeping view of Madison County, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway and tiny California Creek Church below the highway. The second is at the welcome center, where visitors can view Mount Mitchell, Black Mountain, Grandfather Mountain and the parkway. The highway then climbs to Buckner Gap, nearly 5,000 feet above sea level and the highest point on any North Carolina interstate. Three miles from the state line, North Carolina’s tallest bridge, over the Laurel River, stands 235 feet. At the state line, the Appalachian Trail runs under the highway.
Piedmont

Hanging Rock Scenic Byway — Drivers can travel through Stokes and Surry counties and explore the ancient Sauratown Mountains along the northern piedmont. Beginning at Exit 118 off U.S. 52, follow N.C. 65 East and turn left onto N.C. 66 North through Mount Olive and the town of Gap in Stokes County. Head right onto Moores Springs Road (State Road 1001), just northwest of Hanging Rock State Park. Turn west onto N.C. 89 which travels over the Sauratown Mountains, some of the oldest mountains in North America, into Surry County. The eastern end of the byway is in Shelton Town east of Mount Airy. On the northeast end of Mount Airy is a quarry that provided granite used to build the Wright Brothers National Memorial Monument in Kill Devil Hills. Motorists can also visit nearby Pilot Mountain.

Scots-Welsh Heritage Byway — This 10-mile scenic byway travels through Orange County farmland and along American Indian and pioneer trade routes. From I-40, take Exit 261 (Hillsborough) south onto Old N.C. 86. Travel past the Currie Hill farmland and the horseshoe-shaped valley near a tributary of New Hope Creek. The byway winds along Arthur Minnis Road (S.R. 1129), which crosses New Hope Creek two more times before becoming a gravel road. Motorists will go through forests and rustic homesteads featuring log cabins and historic farms. Some, such as the Finebar Farm, are still being used today. The road becomes paved after crossing Dodson Crossroads and drivers continue on the rectangular route by turning left on Orange Grove Road (S.R. 1006) and then left on Dairyland Road (S.R. 1104). Traveling through the farmland, drivers turn left onto Rocky Ridge Road, right on Arthur Minnis Road and then left on Old N.C. 86 to head back to I-40.
Coastal

Cape Fear Historic Byway — This eight-mile byway takes motorists through downtown Wilmington as it travels beside the tranquil Cape Fear River, along colonial-era streets and through Greenfield Park and Gardens before heading back to its starting point. It begins at the intersection of U.S. 74/N.C. 133 (Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway) and North Third Street and heads along the waterfront, which features the federal courthouse and Wilmington’s Riverwalk. Across the river, drivers can see the U.S.S. North Carolina, a World War II battleship which is now a state historic site. Enter Chandler’s Wharf, a shopping area featuring oyster shell streets, before driving through the heart of the city’s National Register Historic District and some of the city’s well-known landmarks. Enter Greenfield Park and Gardens, which surrounds Lake Greenfield, before looping back through the historic district again. Drivers will be able to see government buildings and several historic churches and monuments.

Edenton-Windsor Loop — This coastal byway takes motorists back in time as it follows a figure-eight loop through several colonial-era communities. The byway begins and ends in Edenton, which was settled in 1685 and was once one of the most prosperous ports in colonial America. Follow tree-lined streets through town and over the two-mile-wide Chowan River to the community of Midway. In Midway, the byway heads south through rural farmlands and crosses the Cashie River via the Sans-Souci Ferry, one of the last two-car ferries in the United States. Continue through coastal woodlands and farmlands to Windsor, the Bertie County seat. From Windsor, follow N.C. 308 through the quaint community of Mackeys, turn left on N.C. 32 and cross Albemarle Sound. At that point, the byway follows the route of old American Indian trails back to Windsor.

For more information and detailed driving directions for these and North Carolina’s other scenic byways, visit www.ncdot.gov/~scenic to view the fourth edition of the N.C. Scenic Byways book online. The book is free; however, a $5 donation is requested to offset the costs for future publications and shipping.

To request your copy, go to www.ncdot.gov/~scenic. Requests can also be made by visiting www.ncdot.gov, clicking on “Contact Us” and submitting a request, or by calling NCDOT’s Customer Service office at 1-877-DOT-4-YOU (1-877-368-4968). Requests can also be mailed to:

NCDOT Scenic Byways Program
1557 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

Copies of the book are also available at North Carolina welcome centers on interstates.