TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 4 Legend 5 NCDOT Programs 6 Blue Ridge Parkway 8 Scenic Byways State Map 10 MOUNTAINS Waterfall Byway 14 Nantahala Byway 17 Cherohala Skyway 20 Indian Lakes Scenic Byway 22 Whitewater Way 24 Forest Heritage Scenic Byway 26 Appalachian Medley 28 French Broad Overview 31 Historic Flat Rock Scenic Byway 33 Drovers Road 35 Black Mountain Rag 37 Pacolet River Byway 39 South Mountain Scenery 40 Mission Crossing 42 Little Parkway 44 New River Valley Byway 46 Upper Yadkin Way 48 PIEDMONT Hanging Rock Scenic Byway 52 Colonial Heritage Byway 54 Football Road 56 Crowders Mountain Drive 58 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Millbridge Scenic Byway 60 Uwharrie Scenic Road 62 Rolling Kansas Byway 64 Pee Dee Valley Drive 66 Grassy Island Crossing 68 Sandhills Scenic Drive 70 Birkhead Wilderness Route 72 Flint Hill Ramble 74 Indian Heritage Trail 76 Pottery Road 78 Devil’s Stompin’ Ground Road 80 North Durham Country Byway 82 COASTAL PLAIN Blue-Gray Scenic Byway 88 Meteor Lakes Byway 92 Green Swamp Byway 94 Brunswick Town Road 96 Lafayette’s Tour 98 Tar Heel Trace 103 Edenton-Windsor Loop 105 Perquimans Crossing 108 Pamlico Scenic Byway 110 Alligator River Route 114 Roanoke Voyages Corridor 117 Outer Banks Scenic Byway 119 State Parks & Recreation Areas 124 Historic Sites 130 For More Information 144 Bibliography 145 3 INTRODUCTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has designated 45 Scenic Byways to give visitors and residents a chance to experience a bit of North Carolina history, geography and culture while raising awareness for the protection and preservation of these treasures. Routes are carefully selected to embody the diverse beauty and culture of the Tar Heel State and provide travelers with a safe and interesting alternate route. These byways are intended as an option to the faster-paced traffic and commercial areas found along our major highways and interstates. Following the byways, you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery from the Blue Ridge Mountains to fertile plains and the crystal blue coastline. The routes are clearly marked with highway signs and the Scenic Byways logo (shown below). Please follow the maps and route descriptions carefully. A North Carolina Transportation Map is recommended for use in conjunction with the maps in this booklet. Portions of some routes are not suitable for recreational vehicles because of vehicle weight limits and curvy roads. These byways have been identified in the descriptions at the end of the text with a . Alternative routes are given when possible. Also, a few routes may be briefly interrupted by commercial or municipal areas. In such cases where the scenic byway temporarily ends, directions are given where to resume the route. Approximate travel times and mileage also are included for each byway to help motorists plan their travels accordingly. These times are intended as a general guide. Please allow extra time to visit some of the specific sites. North Carolina Scenic Byways are selected based on natural, cultural and historic features along the route. They vary in length from three to 173 miles and in character from curvy mountain roads to ferry rides across coastal sounds. You will see little or no development along the routes which detracts from the natural character and quality of the byway. If you follow the byways in reverse order from the descriptions given, please keep in mind that the directions will reverse. Enjoy your journey as you explore along these roads less traveled. NCDOT – Scenic Byways 1557 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1577 Visit our web site at www.dot.state.nc.us/scenicbyways 4 LEGEND Scenic Byway directional sign Scenic Byway Route Mountain Lighthouse Points of Interest Cities/Towns 64 U.S. Route 58 N.C. Route 40 Interstate Route 1111 State Secondary Road (S.R.) Blue Ridge Parkway Railroad River North Arrow May present problems for large or recreational vehicles Ferry along route 2 Historic Site (Open to the public) * State Parks and Recreation Areas * North Carolina Rest Area W North Carolina Welcome Center V North Carolina Visitor Center Historic Sites and State Parks are noted on the byway * maps and referenced in the back of the book. Please contact them directly to find out their exact location or to receive visitor information. 5 NCDOT PROGRAMS Adopt-A-Highway towns and cities as well as parks, recreational areas and other points of Since its inception, the Adopt-A- interest. Routes are signed to alert Highway (AAH) motorists to the program has potential presence grown to be one of bicyclists. of the largest anti- For maps and/or litter organizations more information, in the nation. contact the NCDOT More than 6,000 Office of Bicycle and volunteer groups Pedestrian have adopted Transportation, P.O. about 13,000 Box 25201, Raleigh, miles of state- NC 27611, (919) maintained roads. 733-2804, Fax (919) These volunteers 715-4422. Visit our are committed to NCDOT web site at keeping the state’s www.dot.state.nc.us/transit/biped roadways clean, scenic and environmentally sound. Bridge Recycling Program To become an Adopt-A-Highway volunteer, call the NCDOT Office of Beautification In 1978 NCDOT established a program Programs at 1-800-331-5864. for the preservation of the state’s historic Visit our web site at metal truss bridges. The Historic Bridge www.dot.state.nc.us/adopt-a-highway Preservation Program is a pro-active Bicycle & Pedestrian initiative designed to develop Transportation preservation strategies and offer alternatives to demolition for metal truss North Carolina has an extensive bridges. Among the strategies employed system of mapped and signed bicycle are donations of bridges with protective routes designated along lightly-traveled, covenants to new owners, cost scenic country roads. This system of assistance with disassembly and cross-state, regional and local routes relocation, or disassembly and storage of totals more than 3,000 miles of the bridges. NCDOT advertises for “Bicycling Highways.” Designed to recipients both in and out of state and provide alternatives to the busy major maintains a directory of individuals and roads, these routes connect the state’s organizations interested in obtaining a 6 bridge. For further information on this the Piedmont, provides daily round-trip program contact our Project service from Raleigh to Charlotte. The Development and Environmental Analysis Carolinian provides daily round-trip at (919) 733-3141. service from Charlotte to Raleigh with For more information visit our web site at continuing service to Washington, D.C. www.doh.dot.state.nc.us/planning/pe/bridge and New York City. Both trains are jointly operated by the NCDOT and Amtrak. The Environment & Recycling Four daily, long-distance passenger trains – the Crescent, Silver Meteor, Silver Star The NCDOT is committed to helping and Silver Palm – travel through the state protect and preserve North Carolina’s providing service to destinations environment. In highway construction throughout the United States. projects, the department protects rivers, For ticket, schedule and reservation streams and wetlands and builds information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245). passageways so wildlife can cross under Visit our web site at www.bytrain.org. freeways. Through the department’s recycling Wildflowers program, the NCDOT explores many The wildflowers you see blooming innovative uses for recycled products. along our highways are the work of the Metal from scrap cars is used in retaining NCDOT’s Wildflower Program. Several walls and bridges. Beads from recycled times each year the Roadside glass are mixed with paint to make Environmental Unit seeds and maintains reflective pavement markings and signs flower beds across the state. The easier to see. Recycled scrap tires are program is supported by personalized used to build highways. Erosion control license plate funds and by citizens’ methods also are being used in donations. construction and maintenance to protect These colorful flowers, ranging from the environment. Cosmos to Queen Anne’s Lace, can be Rail identified in the Wildflowers On North Carolina Roadsides booklet. Anyone who Taking the train is not only a great receives the booklet can help pay for its alternative form of transportation – it’s a cost by making a donation to the lot of fun! Climb aboard to visit relatives Wildflower Program. Funds donated in and friends, see museums, attend excess of the costs will be used to plant sporting events, go shopping – or visit more wildflowers along our roadsides. the N.C. State Fair. The train also is ideal For more information or to receive a brochure for business travelers who want extra on promotional items, write to NCDOT time to work or relax while traveling. Six Roadside Environmental Unit, 1540 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1540. Visit passenger trains provide daily service to our web site at 17 North Carolina cities and towns. www.dot.state.nc.us/wildflowers North Carolina’s state-owned train, 7 BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY The Blue Ridge Parkway is often escape from the growing pressures of referred to as the original “scenic their everyday lives. The Blue Ridge byway.” The 252 parkway miles in North Parkway provides cultural, natural and Carolina are historic recognized as experiences as an “All well as American Road” recreational by the Federal opportunities Highway along its Administration. internationally It provides recognized drive spectacular that blends mountain and &NC Travel Tourism landscape valley vistas, quiet pastoral scenes, architecture and engineering while sparkling waterfalls and colorful flowers protecting and proclaiming the mountain and foliage displays. culture. Construction on the parkway began Also, visitors can enjoy activities Muse in 1935 under President Roosevelt’s New such as camping, picnicking, North Min Deal Program. Fifty two years later, the hiking, boating, fishing Crabtree Meadows last mile was completed around and sightseeing.