Senic Roads in Tennessee

[jabogitlu]

I like 351 South (107 Cutoff) in Greeneville, and then when it dead ends into the Asheville Highway, that ride all the way over into North Carolina, White Rock / Marshall / Spill Corn / Landerstown.

[TnHilltopper]

I have had to think about this one for a few days as there are so many.

Hwy 52 from Celina, to Elgin, 127, from elgin to Sunbright, then to 329 to Deer Lodge, to 62 (either clarkrange or to Lancing) Hwy 154 between Onida to Jamestown. The short trip from Pall Mall to Byrdstown on 325. Hangin Limb hwy (164) from Crawford to Monterey then to hwy 84, on to Sparta. Hwy 68 from Crossville to Spring City, then onto Shut-in-Gap rd from Spring City to Pikeville. Hwy 85 from Grimsley to Gainsboro. Of course most of those roads which others have already mentioned.

Since my return to Tennessee, I have made it a point to take the interstate as little as possible. Most of my trips, regardless to which part of the state are done by way of back roads, small country strips of tar chip, and gravel roads as often as possible. I don't mind taking half again as much time getting some place as the trip is always well worth it.

To this day, I still whip out a google map and try and find the most faint grey line between point A and point B, and see if it is just a jeep trail or an actual road. I have often ended up at a dead end at the gate of a cow pasture and spent a great deal of gas doing it. I have however found some of the most beautiful and out of the way places that most people do not even realize exist. Tomato's set out on a sewing table with a jar for you to put money in if you take one but no price listed. quilts for sale that were made on a dead end road by the very hands of Mrs Ledbetter. I have even stumbled upon a remote artist community (a scattering of a few houses) that consisted of painters, sculptors, and poets.

For me, nearly every road in Tennessee is scenic in its own way.

[gemkeeper]

Uh-oh, new list!

Really, TNHilltopper, you make me want to get on the road and get lost!

You have described some lovely drives that we can all look forward to. Most of us don't have the sense of adventure that you do to just pick what might be a road, maybe not.

We'll try to be more adventuresome this spring, rig up the GPS and take off for some great sights through E and C TN.

Thanks for a great post!

[jabogitlu]

Gem, don't rule out western NC, either!!! There are some truly beautiful places from up north in Boone all down through White Rock, Spill Corn, Hot Springs, Marshall, Sam's Gap, even down into the tip, across the line from Ducktown, TN.

[TnHilltopper]

Originally Posted by gemthornton

Uh-oh, new list!

Really, TNHilltopper, you make me want to get on the road and get lost!

You have described some lovely drives that we can all look forward to. Most of us don't have the sense of adventure that you do to just pick what might be a road, maybe not.

We'll try to be more adventuresome this spring, rig up the GPS and take off for some great sights through E and C TN.

Thanks for a great post!

I have acquired an odd fascination with eating at little mom and pop road side joints as well. I suppose one of these days I should better organize the literal zillions of pictures I have taken. I can say with some authority, that there are few roads on the Plateau that I haven't driven on, few creeks and rivers I haven't canoed or camped on, and few diners that I haven't eaten at. Of course, I think the secret is out.

[gemkeeper]

You are so right, jabogitlu. That entire area is just beautiful. I have not been on any of the less traveled routes, but from what I have seen we are so fortunate to be right at the doorstep of such majestic scenery!

TnHilltopper, I do not doubt for a second that you know just about every square mile of E and C TN. And, I think you might have let the secret out! We're all pretty intrigued about the artists' camp and I sure would like to buy a new handmade quilt.

[jabogitlu]

Too bad gas is so high (and I'm so poor!) I really have a hankering to just GET LOST tomorrow when I get off work! It's been a few months since I drove around aimlessly. Of course, the summer months (well, actually, September) are always best for that...

[williboy]

Highway 107 from Greeneville to Embreeville, plus you can stop and eat at The Farmer's Daughter along the way. Turn right on Hwy. 81 in Embreeville and that will take you to I-26 in Erwin and you can enjoy that beautiful drive to Asheville, NC.

[jabogitlu]

That is a good route, williboy. I love it up in the Clark's Creek area. I grew up in Afton along there, my house was about a mile past the 107 Cutoff, on Hwy 107.

And if you turn left, instead of right, you'll end up in Jonesborough! Or you can still turn left, then make a quick right back onto route 67 and end up in Cherokee, then eventually Johnson City.

[Tinman313]

If you have Google Earth it has tons of info on back roads.Just by adding one of many icons too your map.