About This Trip
The Cherohala Skyway stretches 43 miles from Tellico Plains, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina, crossing the Unicoi Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border at elevations topping 5,400 feet. Built over 34 years and completed in 1996, it was designed as a scenic highway from the outset — and the engineering shows. Wide, well-maintained curves, sweeping ridge-top straights, and almost no commercial development make it one of the most purely satisfying motorcycle roads in the eastern United States.
The Tennessee side climbs steadily from Tellico Plains into the Cherokee National Forest, passing through a succession of hardwood forest zones that explode with color in October. The Unicoi crest sits at the state line — from here the road traverses a series of high balds with long views south into Georgia and east across the Snowbird Mountains.
Unlike the nearby Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala carries almost no truck traffic and sees far fewer cars, making it a favorite of riders who want smooth, uninterrupted corners rather than a gauntlet of oncoming vehicles. The road surface is generally excellent. Fuel up in Tellico Plains or Robbinsville — there are no services on the skyway itself.
Best time to ride: May through October. The road may ice over in winter, and spring fog can be dense on the high ridges. Fall foliage peaks mid-October and draws significant weekend traffic — ride early morning for the best experience.
Stops
Tellico Plains, TN — Gateway
The western terminus and last fuel stop before the skyway. The Charles Hall Museum on Main Street covers the Cherokee history of the region and the construction of the skyway itself. Grab breakfast here — the road ahead has no services for 43 miles.
Unicoi Mountains Crest — State Line
The high point of the drive, where Tennessee meets North Carolina at around 5,400 feet. Several pull-offs offer panoramic views south into Georgia and east into the Snowbird Mountains. In October the hardwood canopy on the upper slopes turns copper and gold — one of the finest foliage displays in the eastern United States.
Robbinsville, NC — Eastern End
A small mountain town that serves as the eastern base camp for both the Cherohala Skyway and the Tail of the Dragon. Fuel, food, and several motorcycle-friendly lodges are available. The nearby Fontana Lake and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest are worth a detour if time allows.