The Southern Highroads Trail is a 364-mile National Scenic Byway that travels through 4 states of the southern Blue Ridge Mountain highlands.  The 364-mile byway will take visitors thru the mountainous regions of the Chattahoochee National Forest of North Georgia, the Sumter National Forest in northwestern South Carolina, the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina and the Cherokee National Forest in southeastern Tennessee.

The Southern Highroads Trail forms a complete circle bringing travelers back to its chosen starting point.  The Southern Highroads Trail can be accessed at numerous junctions depending on where the traveler wishes to begin.  On the route you’ll experience the beauty, wildlife and natural wonders of the southern highlands as you travel through mountain communities, National Forest, mountain valleys, along the shores of mountain lakes, thru whitewater river gorges and over high mountain ridges.

Along the Southern Highroads Trail you’ll find lodging, dining, shopping, hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and kayaking, repelling and exceptional backpacking country.  Travelers will come in contact with a rich history of gold mining and panning, logging and gem hunting while enjoying the opportunity of many mountain festivals, live entertainment and that general good mountain feeling.   The full trip usually requires several days to get the true experience yet you can jump onto the Southern Highroads Trails at any chosen location and enjoy a sampling of the journey at your leisure.

The Blue Ridge Highlander has composed a full virtual tour of the Southern Highroads Trail in its Scenic Highlander Tours entitled “Aye’ll Take the Highroads.” Each state along the trail offers its own unique mountain experience. Travelers can begin to enjoy the journey by clicking the Scenic Highlander Tour link below and take the full virtual tour or click the additional link below which will take you right to the state selection of choice.

This section of the virtual Scenic Highlander Tours, “Aye’ll Take the Highroads,” begins in Polk County in southeastern Tennessee.  The trail passes through the mining town of Ducktown just north of Copperhill and Benton Tennessee. This historical copper mining country found access to the railhead in the lower Tennessee Valley by traveling through the Ocoee Gorge along what is now called the Ocoee Scenic Byway the first National Scenic Byway in the county.  This route travels thru the Ocoee River Gorge in the Cherokee National Forest, the scene of the 1996 Summer Whitewater Olympics. Though the route of this section of the Southern Highroads Trail is fairly short it is by far one of the most spectacular parts of the journey.  The history of the Ocoee River Gorge is fascinating as it follows the Old Copper Road built in the mid 1800’s.  The route winds thru the gorge and along the northern shores of Ocoee Lake and into the Tennessee River Valley.

the Highlander

Want to know more about Benton, Copperhill, Ducktown, Isabella, Ocoee, Turtletown

Although very enjoyable, the mountains can be a driving challenge to a flatlander (no offense), to help you with your new venture, take a look at our driving tips.

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