We’re so excited for the forested edge of Tennessee to turn all sorts of orange and yellow and brown, and we can’t wait to experience the sudden beauty of the west side of the state as the farmlands change color. We decided to scour the east side of the state for a road trip – a ten hour road trip – that will infuse your life with the beautiful edge of autumn it needs. Would you dare drive it?
GoogleMaps Get the interactive Google Map here.
- Cades Cove
SpeedProPhoto - Flickr The 11-mile loop of Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful drives in the state. The natural, flat-bottomed valley is home to some of the most scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. There’s abundant wildlife and historic sites throughout the valley.
- Newfound Gap
Mark - Flickr Newfound Gap is over 5000 feet above sea level, but it’s actually the lowest mountain pass in the Great Smoky Mountains. The views from the gap as you wind up and down the mountains are absolutely stunning.
- Clingmans Dome
Tim Lumley - Flickr Just a short spur off of Newfound Gap is Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain in both Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Be sure to get out and head to the observation deck to see what it looks like from the top of our beautiful state.
- Cherohala Skyway
Dzmitry (Paul) - Flickr The Cherohala Skyway winds from North Carolina through the Cherokee National Forest on its way to Tellico Plains. The Skyway is known for its beautiful views and its many turns, making it very popular among sports car and motorcycle owners.
- Roan Mountain
Kelly White - Flickr Roan Mountain in Northeast Tennessee is home to a State Park that was named Tennessee State Park of the Year in 2016. It’s famous for its vast rhododendron fields on the side of the mountain. This is another place to get out, stretch your legs, and enjoy the view.
- Cherokee National Forest
Dzmitry Parul - Flickr Cherokee National Forest stretches from Great Smoky Mountain National Park up to the Northeast corner of the state. Every road in the Forest is scenic and is completely worth driving. What a beautiful place to end our road trip!
All this beauty reminds us – have you seen the reasons why you shouldn’t move to Tennessee?
GoogleMaps
Get the interactive Google Map here.
SpeedProPhoto - Flickr
The 11-mile loop of Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful drives in the state. The natural, flat-bottomed valley is home to some of the most scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains. There’s abundant wildlife and historic sites throughout the valley.
Mark - Flickr
Newfound Gap is over 5000 feet above sea level, but it’s actually the lowest mountain pass in the Great Smoky Mountains. The views from the gap as you wind up and down the mountains are absolutely stunning.
Tim Lumley - Flickr
Just a short spur off of Newfound Gap is Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain in both Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Be sure to get out and head to the observation deck to see what it looks like from the top of our beautiful state.
Dzmitry (Paul) - Flickr
The Cherohala Skyway winds from North Carolina through the Cherokee National Forest on its way to Tellico Plains. The Skyway is known for its beautiful views and its many turns, making it very popular among sports car and motorcycle owners.
Kelly White - Flickr
Roan Mountain in Northeast Tennessee is home to a State Park that was named Tennessee State Park of the Year in 2016. It’s famous for its vast rhododendron fields on the side of the mountain. This is another place to get out, stretch your legs, and enjoy the view.
Dzmitry Parul - Flickr
Cherokee National Forest stretches from Great Smoky Mountain National Park up to the Northeast corner of the state. Every road in the Forest is scenic and is completely worth driving. What a beautiful place to end our road trip!
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