NC SCENIC BYWAYS a hc rol rt in o a n fourth edition s c s en ay ic byw North Carolina Department of Transportation TABLE OF CONTENTS Click on Byway. Introduction 4 Legend 5 NCDOT Programs 6 Rules of the Road 8 Cultural Resources 11 Blue Ridge Parkway 12 Scenic Byways State Map 14 MOUntAins Waterfall Byway 18 Nantahala Byway 21 Cherohala Skyway 24 Indian Lakes Scenic Byway 26 Whitewater Way 28 Forest Heritage Scenic Byway 30 Appalachian Medley 32 French Broad Overview 35 Historic Flat Rock Scenic Byway 37 Drovers Road 39 Black Mountain Rag 41 Pacolet River Byway 43 South Mountain Scenery 44 Mission Crossing 46 Little Parkway 48 New River Valley Byway 50 I-26 Scenic Highway 52 U.S. 421 Scenic Byway 55 Pisgah Loop Scenic Byway 57 Upper Yadkin Way 60 PIEdmont Hanging Rock Scenic Byway 64 Colonial Heritage Byway 66 Football Road 68 Crowders Mountain Drive 70 2 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP TABLE OF CONTENTS Mill Bridge Scenic Byway 72 Uwharrie Scenic Road 74 Rolling Kansas Byway 76 Pee Dee Valley Drive 78 Grassy Island Crossing 80 Sandhills Scenic Drive 82 Birkhead Wilderness Route 84 Flint Hill Ramble 86 Indian Heritage Trail 88 Pottery Road 90 Devil’s Stompin’ Ground Road 92 North Durham Country Byway 94 Averasboro Battlefield Scenic Byway 97 Scots-Welsh Heritage Byway 99 COAstAl PLAin Blue-Gray Scenic Byway 104 Meteor Lakes Byway 108 Green Swamp Byway 110 Brunswick Town Road 112 Cape Fear Historic Byway 114 Lafayette’s Tour 118 Tar Heel Trace 123 Edenton-Windsor Loop 125 Perquimans Crossing 128 Pamlico Scenic Byway 130 Alligator River Route 134 Roanoke Voyages Corridor 137 Outer Banks Scenic Byway 139 State Parks & Recreation Areas 144 Historic Sites 152 For More Information 168 Bibliography 170 3 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP INTRODUctION The N.C. Department of Transportation has designated 51 scenic byways to give visitors and residents a chance to experience North Carolina’s history, geography and culture, while also raising awareness for the protection and preservation of these treasures. Byways are carefully selected to portray the diverse beauty and culture of the Tar Heel State and provide travelers with safe and interesting alternate travel routes. These byways are intended as an alternative to the faster-paced traffic and commercial areas found along our state’s major highways and interstates. Following the byways, motorists will see some of North Carolina’s most breathtaking scenery, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west to the fertile plains of the Piedmont to the crystal blue shore of our coast. The routes are clearly marked with N.C. Scenic Byways signs (shown below). Please follow the maps and route descriptions carefully and understand that the maps on each byway page are not to scale and are given as a general guide only. For this reason, a N.C. State Transportation Map is recommended for use in conjunction with the maps in this book. Portions of some routes are not suitable for various types of vehicles. Special symbols have been inserted in the text to draw attention to these restrictions. Alternate routes are noted when available. A few routes may be briefly interrupted by commercial or municipal areas. In such cases the scenic byway may temporarily end, but directions are given to help drivers resume the route. Approximate travel time and mileage are also 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 referenced in the byway descriptions. N.C. Scenic Byways vary in length from three to 173 miles, and in character from curvy mountain roads to ferry rides across coastal sounds. Motorists will see little or no development along the routes, enhancing the natural character and quality of the byways. If following the byways in reverse order from the descriptions given, please keep in mind that the directions will reverse. Enjoy exploring North Carolina’s less traveled roads. NCDOT ­— ­Scenic ­Byways ­Program 1557 ­Mail ­Service ­Center Raleigh, ­NC ­ ­27699-1577 Visit our Web site at www.ncdot.org/~scenic. 4 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP 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 DIRECTIONAL Arrow large or recreational vehicles NOT RECOMMENDED 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 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP NCDOT PROGRAMS Highway ­Beautification Aviation The NCDOT Wildflower Program With more than 300 privately owned creates colorful landscapes along the and 74 publicly owned airports, heliports state’s roadsides and other landing with flower areas, aviation is plantings. The a vital part of the department’s 14 state’s economy. highway divisions More than 43 plant 200,000 million passengers daylilies annually fly to and from and maintain 2,500 North Carolina acres of wildflower each year, and seedbeds. commercial and The program general aviation is supported airports generate through federal about $12 billion enhancement NCDOT annually for the N.C. Wildflower Program, Mount Airy funds, citizen state. For more donations and proceeds from personalized information on aviation in North Carolina, license plates. visit www.ncdot.org/transit/aviation. Motorists will also travel along thousands of miles of litter-free highways Ferry maintained by some 6,000 groups totaling The ferry system includes 22 ferries 100,000 citizen volunteers in North that operate 365 days a year on seven Carolina’s Adopt-A-Highway Program. The routes along the coast. Ferries provide a groups pick up about 4 million pounds vital link to many coastal residents and of litter from 12,000 adopted roadside take visitors to unforgettable attractions miles, saving taxpayers nearly $4 million such as lighthouses, pristine beaches, annually in roadside cleanup costs. Show world-class fishing, romantic getaways, support for the state’s anti-litter efforts historic sites, kayaking, windsurfing and by purchasing a “No Litter” license plate more. Reservations are available on several through NCDOT’s Division of Motor routes. For more information, call Vehicles. For more information about our 1-800-BY-FERRY (293-3779) or visit highway beautification programs, call www.ncferry.org. 1-800-331-5864 or visit www.ncdot. org/~beautification. 6 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP Public ­Transportation the list of available maps at www.ncdot. Getting North Carolinians where they org/transit/bicycle. want to go is the mission of the state’s public transportation systems. Urban, Governor’s ­Highway ­Safety ­ rural and regional public transit systems Program provide mobility for citizens without a NCDOT’s Governor’s Highway Safety vehicle and for those who prefer to let Program oversees initiatives related to someone else do the driving. At work in highway safety, such as seat belt use, all 100 counties, public transportation driving while impaired, speeding and provides access to employment, education, aggressive driving. The office works closely medical services, shopping and recreational with the National Highway Traffic Safety activities. Safe and efficient public Administration, N.C. State Highway Patrol transportation means better mobility, and numerous other state and local continued economic growth, a cleaner agencies. GHSP is best known for its public environment and improved quality of life. awareness campaigns, including “Click It For more information, visit www.ncdot. or Ticket” and “Booze It & Lose It.” For org/transit/transitnet. more information about GHSP and North Carolina’s highway safety initiatives, go to North Carolina’s­ Amtrak­ Service­ ­ www.ncdot.org/programs/GHSP. With four passenger trains providing daily service to 12 cities and towns, North Rest ­Areas Carolina’s Amtrak is your connection to North Carolina’s highway rest areas Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte and many offer opportunities for convenient, brief towns in between. The Winston-Salem stops and provide easy roadside access Connector offers shuttle service between to public restrooms, drinking water and the High Point train station and downtown telephones seven days a week, 24 hours a Winston-Salem. Local transit is available in day. Visitor centers and welcome centers most cities along the route. are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For train schedules, fares and ticket Information about North Carolina’s 60 rest information, call 1-800-USA-RAIL (872- areas, including photos, directions and 7245) or visit www.bytrain.org. For amenities, is available at www.ncdot. best fares, book early. org/~restarea. Bicycle ­and ­Pedestrian ­ North Carolina has an extensive system of more than 5,000 miles of cross-state, regional and local mapped and signed bicycle routes along lightly traveled, scenic roads. These routes connect the state’s towns and cities, as well as other points of interest. Call (919) 807-0777 or check 7 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS BACK TO BYWAYS MAP RULES OF THE ROAD Move ­Over/ ­Fender ­Bender ­ Helmets Laws Helmets are required by law when Under the “Move Over” law, motorists riding on a motorcycle or moped.