Excursions

Bryson City

• Great Smoky Mountains Railway - Here's a fun ride on a real, old-timey railroad with completely restored cars. The GSMR is a unique, relaxing and rewarding way to enjoy our mountain scenery. Half-day round trips are available from three historic communities. For more information, phone 1-800-872-4681 or visit their web site.

• NC-28 Fontana Lake - Between Wesser and Lauada on US-74 (see also: Nantahala Gorge) is the intersection of NC-28. Following this route east takes you through Almond, past Fontana Lake and Fontana Village, then a final stretch on the north side of the Little Tennessee River to the intersection with US-129 at the Tennessee State Line (just east of Tapoco).
  Fontana Lake is the largest of the Tennessee Valley Authority impound-ments. Completed in 1945, it was then the fourth highest hydroelectric power dam in the world (and is still the highest in the eastern USA).
  You can put this route together with the Santeetlah Lake route and the section of the Nantahala Gorge route which allows you to make a nice loop through some of the most scenic mountain land in the United States. Driving time for the entire loop (depending upon pauses to enjoy the scenery) is about 2 to 2½ hours.
• US-441 Newfound Gap Road - Great Smoky Mtns Nat. Park. The Newfound Gap Road is a drive! No large recreation vehicles (you wouldn't want to try it even if permitted)! From Asheville, take I-40 west to exit 27 (US-74 - Waynesville). Follow US-74 (it is a freeway) all the way to the Cherokee exit. Here, US-441 (which joined US-74 from the south some miles previous) leaves US-74. Take US-441 north, through Cherokee and into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. US-441, here, has been named the Newfound Gap Road because it is Newfound Gap over which the road passes over the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains into Tennessee.
     The approach to Newfound Gap starts by sedately following the Oconaluftee River. You'll climb from 2200 feet (above sea level) to 4000 feet where you negotiate the first 'hairpin' curve. Climbing up Beetree Ridge, you'll skirt the peak, turn back toward the Gap and, finally, the top. The road to the left goes to Clingman's Dome. We suggest the detour. The parking area there is about 6400 feet above sea level and the view (assuming the Great Smoky Mountains aren't smoking too much) is worth the entire drive. Getting back to US-441, turn left, and you'll begin the descent to the Little Pigeon River. Then it's 'loop the loop', duck through the tunnel, and begin the descent to Gatlinburg.
     After you've experienced Gatlinburg you might rather take the easy way back to North Carolina. Follow US-321 'south' (you're really heading east) out of Gatlinburg to Cosby and the junction of TN-32. Continue on TN-32 another 10 miles to I-40 (exit 451). Head East on I-40 to Waynesville, Asheville or where ever. The scenery along I-40 (Pigeon River Gorge) can be considered your dessert.