Top 12 Scenic Drives Near Blue Ridge

Click for starting points for Scenic Drives

1. Mountains & Countryside

Blue Ridge/Dial/Morganton
Beautiful drive through the mountains and countryside surrounding Blue Ridge, Dial and Morganton in Fannin County. A great introduction to the area, including Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River. Available for download or contact the Welcome Center at 800-899-mtns. Download here

2. A Ride to the Cohutta Wilderness

Blue Ridge to Ellijay
A three to five hour trip from Blue Ridge through a dense hardwood mountain forest to a beautiful secluded mountain lake. For skilled drivers, four-wheel SUV preferred. Available for download or contact the Welcome Center at 800-899-mtns. Download here

3. Toccoa Ranger District Driving Tour

Blue Ridge to Dahlonega & Apple Alley
This day trip, originally produced by the U.S. Forest Service, is beautiful any time of the year, but is especially beautiful in the fall. The drive begins and ends at the intersection of Georgia Highway 5 and 515 in Blue Ridge. Round trip mileage is 102.4 miles and approximate driving time without stops is three to four hours. Available for download or contact the Welcome Center at 800-899-6867. Download here

4. "Suches It Is" loop from Morganton to Suches

Blue Ridge, Suches & Blairsville
This drive combines some of the prettiest views of the countryside with curvy mountain roads and lots of roadside attractions, including the historic Skeenah Mill, Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel State Park and more opportunities for side trips. It can easily turn into a full day trip. Round trip mileage is 76 miles and approximate driving time without stops is two hours. Download Here

5. Cherohala Skyway

Hwy 165, Tellico Plains, Tenn. To Robbinsville, N.C.
Winding through scenery that rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, providing spectacular mile-high vistas and brilliant fall folliage. 1 ½ to 2 hour drive on the Skyway’s 40 miles. (800) 245-5428, www.cherohala.org Short side trip; Check out the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. From Blue Ridge take Hwy 5 north to Hwy 68.

6. Nantahala Gorge

Hwy 19/74, Murphy, Andrews, Nantahala
Enjoy a pretty drive from Murphy, N.C. to the Nantahala Gorge along Highway 74 north. The Gorge is a 8.5 mile stretch beside the nationally known whitewater Nantahala. Developed put-in and take-out spots, picnic tables and viewpoints are along U.S. 19. Private outfitters offer guided whitewater rafting canoeing and kayaking. From Blue Ridge take Hwy 60 North to Spur 60 to Hwy 74.

7. Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway

Blairsville
From Blairsville take Hwy. 129/19 south to Hwy. 180 (turn left) then Hwy 348 is just a mile away and is marked as the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. From the breathtaking views atop Brasstown Bald to the fertile valleys and numerous waterfalls, scenic wonders fill this region of northeast Georgia. For more information, call (770) 297-3000 or see www.fhwa.dot.gov

8. Ocoee Scenic Byway

Hwy 64, Ducktown to Cleveland, Tenn
Follow the nation’s first Scenic Byway as it winds through the Cherokee National Forest alongside the Ocoee River, past the Ocoee dams, flume line and powerhouses and Parksville Lake. Ocoee Whitewater Center (Home of the 1996 Olympics) is also on the way. For more information, call (423) 496-5197, or see www.byways.org Side trip; Check out Benton Falls located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area. Beautiful overlooks as you drive up FS 77 to the recreation area. Great photo ops!

9. Southern Highroads Trail

Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
The Southern Highroads Trail winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains in four states. Experience the scenic beauty, diversity and rich history found along the way as you travel the 360-mile route. The entire trail takes about three days to complete, and includes the Georgia cities of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Chatsworth, Blairsville, Young Harris, Hiawassee, Clayton, Dillard and Mountain City.
Southern Highroads Trail

10. Georgia Mountain Parkway

Highway 515 Jasper to Blue Ridge
Georgia’s favorite scenic drive follows Interstate 575 from Atlanta northward on the Georgia Mountain Parkway. Along the way the route offers beautiful mountain views, wildflowers, apple orchards, festivals, antiques and galleries – and a wealth of opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure.

11. Blairsville to Turner’s Corner

Highway 129
Follow Hwy 129 south from Blairsville toward Turner’s Corner for twisting and turning scenic ride. Take a side trip to Vogel State Park, Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi on the Appalachian Trail, and Desoto Falls.

12. Blue Ridge Parkway

Cherokee, N.C.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a scenic byway. It is a spectacular 469 mile route from North Carolina to Virginia through the Great Smoky Mountains. The parkway begins approximately 1 ½ hours from Blue Ridge in Cherokee, N.C. Take Spur 60 to Murphy, N.C., then Hwy 74/19 north through Andrews and Nantahala.