Tennessee Cherohala Skyway Souvenir Postcard

The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile scenic byway that winds through the Appalachian Mountains, linking Tellico Plains, Tennessee, with Robbinsville, North Carolina. Completed in 1996 after more than three decades of construction, it climbs to elevations over 5,400 feet, offering sweeping views of rolling ridges, dense hardwood forests, and misty valleys. The name “Cherohala” comes from a combination of Cherokee and Nantahala, two national forests the route traverses. Along the way, numerous overlooks, picnic spots, and trailheads invite travelers to slow down and enjoy the peaceful, unspoiled mountain landscape. The Skyway is particularly breathtaking in autumn, when the mountains explode in shades of red, orange, and gold, but each season has its charm—spring brings wildflowers, summer offers lush greenery, and winter often blankets the high peaks in snow. The road is popular with motorcyclists and drivers who want a quieter alternative to the more crowded Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife is abundant, with chances to spot deer, black bears, wild turkeys, and soaring hawks. With limited services along the route, the Cherohala Skyway remains a journey best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, rewarding those who take the time to stop, breathe in the mountain air, and take in the panoramic views.