Fall makes the perfect time to explore several picturesque lakes, scenic byways and natural wonders of East Tennessee. Most of these top five places can be squeezed into a long weekend tour combining stunning scenery, twisty roads and a rich history.
1. Stunning TVA dams
Created by the TVA in the 1930s and ‘40s to bring power and flood control to the region, what’s known today as the 9 Lakes region makes a great riding destination with stops at Norris, Douglas, Cherokee, Tellico dams and a few more manmade lakes. Finished in 1936, Norris Dam was the very first major project tackled by the TVA to bring electricity and flood control to an impoverished Depression-era Appalachia. It remains one of the most impressive, rivaling the taller Fontana Dam in North Carolina. Pulling up to Norris Dam’s scenic overlook 200 feet above the structure, riders can behold the stunning lake at the structure. On one side, the engineering marvel drops down into the rugged river gorge. On the other, the vibrant, almost turquoise waters of Norris Lake stretch out as far as the eye can see, framed by the distant blue peaks of the mountains.
2. The Cherohala Skyway
Often overshadowed by the neighboring Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway offers scenic, relaxed cruising. Stretching 43 miles from Tellico Plains, Tennessee, over into Western North Carolina, this National Scenic Byway trades tight switchbacks for long, sweeping curves. You’ll climb to elevations over 5,000 feet. The road is immaculate, the traffic is generally lighter than the Dragon, and the panoramic mountain overlooks are the perfect places to stretch your legs and snap a photo.
3. Sweetwater and The Lost Sea
From the mountain elevations, cruise the rural two-lane highways like TN-68 and TN-322 that wind through the valley farmland down into the historic town of Sweetwater. A great ride through this part of Tennessee includes stopping at Craighead Caverns to see The Lost Sea. It’s a massive cave system where Confederate soldiers once mined saltpeter for gunpowder during the Civil War. The real highlight is a 140-foot descent underground to board a glass-bottom boat and float across the largest subterranean lake in the United States, surrounded by giant rainbow trout.
4. Devil’s Triangle & Historic Brushy Mountain
The Devil’s Triangle is a thrilling 44-mile loop following TN-116, 62, and 330 through the coal-mining mountains of Anderson and Morgan counties. It’s steep, highly technical, and packed with tight switchbacks and sharp drop-offs. Deep in the valley sits the Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Once a maximum-security prison that housed infamous inmates like James Earl Ray, it’s now a massive tourist destination. After conquering the Triangle, park the bike, take a historical ghost tour of the cell blocks, and grab some Appalachian barbecue at the onsite restaurant.
5. Cumberland National
Scenic Byway to Historic Rugby: For a historically rich journey, cruise the winding, forested roads of the Cumberland National Scenic Byway. Running parallel to the mountain ridges, this route traces old Cherokee paths and pioneer wagon trails through a quieter, rugged side of the state. Historic Rugby, a beautifully restored 1880s British utopian village tucked into the mountains, offers a fascinating, frozen-in-time settlement with original Victorian architecture and a historic library. It’s a peaceful, shaded spot that makes for an excellent midday rest.
