North Carolina's Scenic Nantahala Byway
The Nantahala Byway has been designated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation as one of 45 scenic byways in the state. These routes have been selected because they embody the diverse beauty, culture, history, and geography of the state while providing travelers with a less-hectic alternate route. The routes are clearly marked with highway signs and the Scenic Byways logo.
The Nantahala Byway :
Length: 43 miles
Driving Time: 1 ½ hours
Counties: Cherokee, Graham, Jackson, Swain
Begin the byway in Marble, where the four lanes of U.S. 19/74/129 take motorists through 8 miles of farming valley to Andrews. The community of Marble, founded in 1911, was so named because it is near the state's largest deposit of marble. This marble is of such quality that it was used extensively at Arlington National Cemetery. The valley has very rich soil which helps the crops. The soil was deposited by the Valley River, which flows on the eastern side of the valley toward the Hiawasee River in Murphy.
At Andrews, named for the man who developed the Western North Carolina Railroad, turn right onto U.S. 19 Business and proceed through this turn-of-the-century mountain town. Meet back with U.S. 19/129 on the north side of town. From Andrews it is approximately seven miles to the community of Topton. The Indian Lakes Scenic Byway intersects at this point and runs north on U.S. 129. For the next 20 miles, you will be passing through the Nantahala Gorge. Cross the Nantahala River. At the Clay and Macon County Line look for the 360-foot Camp Branch Falls just before entering the community of Nantahala, which was founded in 1882. This is where the gorge's true nature begins to be prevalent. The Nantahala Gorge was called the "Land of the Midday Sun." From this phrase, the Cherokee Indians got the name "Nantahala," because of its steep walls and depth. This is a popular world-class white-water rafting spot. During the warmer months, many rafting companies provide tours. Kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts take advantage of it well into the winter.
The route occasionally provides a glimpse of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, which passes through the gorge following U.S. 19/74. Visitors can take a ride and enjoy the scenery at a different pace.
It is 7 miles from Nantahala to the community of Wesser, named for a hunter who lived here. At Wesser, the Nantahala River and the road no longer run parallel. Cross the Little Tennessee River 2 miles north of Wesser on U.S. 19/74. From the community of Lauada, a mile north of the Little Tennessee, continue 4 miles on the divided highway part of U.S. 19/74 to the second Bryson City exit. Bryson City, founded in 1887, sits in a bowl formed by the Tuckasegee River and the Cowee Mountain Range. Exit and turn left onto Spring Street, following for about ½ mile on 4 lanes to the stoplight at Main Street (U.S. 19 Business). Turn left onto Main and go 1/10 of a mile to the stoplight at Slope Street (S.R. 1323). Turn right at the light onto Slope Street. Cross the Tuckasegee River and turn right on Gibson Avenue (S.R. 1321). Turn right again onto Everett Street (S.R. 1364) at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad station. Turn left at the Swain County Courthouse back onto Main Street (U.S. 19 Business). Follow U.S. 19 Business about 2 miles and turn right onto Hyatt Creek Road (S.R. 1168). For the next three miles follow Hyatt Creek Road as it parallels the Tuckasegee River. The road passes through portions of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation's reservation. The Qualla Reservation got its name from the Cherokee word meaning "old woman" for an old Indian woman who lived on these lands. Established in 1838 with more than 63,000 acres, it is the largest Indian reservation east of the Mississippi.
Turn right onto U.S. 19 Business after crossing the river. Continue on U.S. 19 for 7/10 of a mile. Turn right onto Old U.S. 19 (S.R. 1195), cross the Oconaluftee River, just above its junction with the Tuckasegee. Follow S.R. 1195 for 1.8 miles to the Jackson County line. At this point it becomes Old U.S. 19 (S.R. 1531). The route ends about a mile later at Whittier, where S.R. 1531 meets with U.S. 74.
