"The Cherohala Skyway, a 43-mile National Scenic Byway, is one of the most spectacular and remote drives in the southeastern United States. Completed in 1996 after 34 years of construction and a cost of $100 million, the Skyway connects Tellico Plains, Tennessee, with Robbinsville, North Carolina. The name is a portmanteau of the two national forests it traverses: the Cherokee and the Nantahala. This is a road that truly lives up to its name, as it climbs to elevations of over 5,400 feet, often putting you literally above the clouds. Unlike the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway is more rugged and less developed, offering a profound sense of isolation and wilderness. The landscape is a masterpiece of Appalachian beauty, characterized by dense hardwood forests, massive rock outcroppings, and panoramic vistas that stretch for hundreds of miles. As you drive, the air becomes noticeably cooler and fresher, and the silence of the high mountains is only broken by the sound of the wind. The Skyway was designed specifically for scenery, with numerous paved overlooks that provide staggering perspectives on the surrounding peaks and valleys. In the spring, the mountains are vibrant with the blooms of rhododendron and mountain laurel, while the autumn brings a sea of brilliant color that rivals any in the country. It is a drive that requires focus, with its constant curves and significant elevation changes, but for those who seek the thrill of the high mountains and the serenity of the wilderness, the Cherohala Skyway offers an unparalleled Appalachian experience."