ONLINE STORE	DEALS GAP	CHEROHALA	OTHER ROADS	MAPS	HOME
NEWS, ETC	CALENDAR	LINKS	FREE STUFF	ACCOMMODATIONS	CONTACT US

DUAL SPORT ROADS
Western North Carolina & East Tennessee

Enter this Forest Service gravel road (FR81) at Santeetlah Gap near the beginning of the Cherohala Skyway in North Carolina. This 12 mile trek meanders along the Big Santeetlah Creek for most of the way and ends at Stratton Meadows on the Cherohala Skyway near the Tennessee border. Along the way there are some great trout fishing spots for you to test your skills.

There are some remote camp sites and picnic areas. Several years ago, we met our good friend Pete who had just arrived from Oregon on his KLR and was camping on "Big Creek". He bought property in Graham County and now resides here full time - and we bought his KLR.

There are several side roads along Stewart Cabin Road which dead end and provide lots of exploring. The road to Wolf Laurel is a beautiful climb. From the parking area at the end you can take a short hike (several miles) to Stratton Bald. This is one of the more popular camping sites for hikers because of the spectacular views.

There is even the rustic Swan Cabin (and we mean rustic) on Wolf Laurel that can be rented from the Forest Service for a small fee. Or just bring a tent and spend a few days in this wilderness area.

This road is not for unlicensed off-road vehicles (see below for ORV area). This road is closed early January thru late March from Sand Creek to the Cherohala.

North River Road / Bald River Falls Continuing on the gravel road (FR81) passing under the Cherohala Skyway at 4300 foot elevation, you enter Tennesse on North River Road (FR217). The road takes some sharp cutbacks as if descends rather steeply towards the Tellico River. At mile one there is a road off to the left that leads up to Whigg Meadow. This road becomes very rough and is not recommended. After several miles on North River Road you begin to encounter camp sites along the North River which begins as a small branch and grows as you descend. FR217 intersects the paved road FR210 at the Tellico River. This road is known as River Road. The total distance for the Cherohala to River Road is 12 miles.

Take a left on FR210 (River Road) which follows the Tellico River. There is a small hunting/fishing camp complete with rustic motel at Spivey Cove. Believe us when we say rustic - this is way out in the middle of nowhere and not for the squeamish. If you continue on this road for another mile or two, you will arrive at the State Line camping area and the "Upper Tellico Off-Road Vehichole Area". The ORV area starts at the state line and has elevations ranging from 2500' to 4600'. The roads are numbered and signed at intersections, and they are rated easy, moderate, or difficult for vehicles. This is a great place to bring your ATV, jeep, or dirt bike. Get a copy of the Nantahala National Forest's "Upper Tellico Off-Road Vehicle Area" map at the Massey Branch Ranger station, just outside of Robbinsville on 143.

Make a U-turn and head back down River Road following the Tellico River. You will soon enter the Bald River Gorge Wilderness area. There is camping here and one of the highest, easily accessible waterfalls you can imagine. You can get a great view of the falls without even getting off of your cycle.

A few more miles down River Road and you will intersect the Cherohala Skyway (165) again just a few miles east of Tellico Plains.