Cherohala Skyway: Tellico Plains–Santeetlah Gap GPX

The drive

Cherohala Skyway crosses the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests on TN 165 and NC 143. Its long mountain curves and high ridgeline viewpoints make it a different outing from the compact Dragon.

This GPX follows the main scenic road from the Tellico Plains approach to Santeetlah Gap. It does not add the onward approach into Robbinsville, the Bald River Falls side road, or visitor-area spurs. The map distance measures these exact endpoints rather than copying an advertised byway total.

Allow for elevation changes, weather and limited services. Fuel and supplies should be arranged before the mountain section. Overlook stops add time and require checking parking and current access.

RevScore: this route's curviness

How these planning facts were checked

The OSRM car-routing model was checked against 100 points along this exact GPX, including its loop or segment shape—not simply the fastest route between the endpoints. The 1 h 25 min–2 h 10 min range uses rounded planning allowances of 15–75% above the model's no-live-traffic baseline. These allowances are not measured traffic statistics or a guarantee; allow extra time for lunch, photographs and other stops.

Terrain elevations were sampled at 100 points along the GPX using the USGS NED approximately 10-metre terrain dataset hosted by Open Topo Data (dataset snapshot: April 23, 2020). The displayed range is rounded to 50 feet / 10 metres. It is an approximate sampled range—not an exact road minimum/maximum, summit height or cumulative elevation gain. Terrain can differ from the road surface around tunnels, bridges and road cuts.

Facts checked October 11, 2026. Sources are linked under “Guide sources.” The original GPX remains an untimed map trace; these modeled facts are not recorded-drive measurements.

Driving notes

1. Drive within posted limits

   These are public roads shared with residents, cyclists, wildlife and other visitors—not closed courses. Stay in your lane and leave room for slower traffic.

2. Plan fuel and breaks separately

   Choose lawful meeting and parking places before departure. The road trace does not reserve parking or include attraction entrance roads, walking trails or lunch stops.

3. No automatic waterfall detour

   Bald River Falls and forest recreation roads are not part of this main-road GPX. Check Forest Service access before adding a side trip.

Places along the route

• Signed Skyway overlooks

  Use designated parking where open. No overlook spur or walking trail is included in this trace.

Questions drivers ask