Scenic Bike Routes: Cherokee National Forest, TN

Cherokee National Forest, TNFall is a great time to be in southern Tennessee. The Cherokee National Forest and the Smokey Mountains provide some eye-popping scenery between the changing colors and the brilliant blue skies afforded by the passing of the summer rain and haze. This week we have a brief, 25-mile route that rides more like 50 to 75 miles. It is easy enough for beginners yet still interesting enough to keep veterans well in tune.

Part of this ride runs along Interstate 40 in North Carolina and Tennessee. But it's only a few miles. The rest of it follows quaint, country roads that speak to what Tennessee is all about. Enjoy.

Riding the Route

We began our ride in Hartford, Tennessee. Hartford is a small community of just 800 people in the midst of the Cherokee National Forest. There's a great little place in the center of town known as the Bean Trees Café; it gets very good reviews online. It might be a good place to grab a quick bite to eat before you head out.

As you're leaving Hartford, you'll want to take Big Creek Rd. west out of town to Hartford Rd. Make a right on Hartford and head north. This road runs between the Pigeon River on your left and I-40 on your right. A few miles down you'll make a left onto Lindsey Gap Rd., a right on Caney Creek Rd., and then a left on Liberty Rd. This road will take you through the outskirts of Crosby, Tennessee.

Just outside of town, you'll pick up Rt. 32; make a left and head south. For the next 13 miles, you will be winding your way through the forest with plenty of turns and gentle hills. Rt. 32 turns into S.R. 1397 as you cross the border into North Carolina. Continue just a few miles to S.R. 1332 and make a left. This will take you up to Waterville Rd. at Big Creek. From there, follow the signs to I-40. You'll have to cross the creek a mile or so up the road in order to get on the Interstate. From there it's a straight shot back up to Hartford.

Scenery and Road Conditions

The scenery along this route is just what you'd expect from the northern Smokey Mountains. It combines narrow mountain roads with quiet country lanes interspersed with houses. During the fall season, the trees change colors to put on a bright and beautiful display good enough for a postcard. Be sure to take a camera with you if you drive the route in the fall.

As for the road conditions, they are excellent the whole way. Many people are surprised to see the road conditions in the Smokey Mountains as good as they are, but both Tennessee and North Carolina do an excellent job of keeping up with them. The only caution is to go slow and take your time on the section of Rt. 32 in Tennessee. As we said, there are many turns and twists on this road, including some blind corners. Even though the road gets very little traffic, coming upon vehicles moving in the opposite direction could be tricky if you're careless.

Be sure to gas up in Hartford or Crosby. You will not find gas stations in any other places along the road. And while you're on Interstate 40, be sure to take in as much of the Pigeon River as you can. It will be on your left side.

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