Tellico Plains, TN: The Cherohala Skyway

Tellico Plains, TN: The Cherohala Skyway

Experience a beautiful and challenging climb (and a thrilling descent) over to-die-for tarmac on this 60-mile Cherohala Skyway out-and-back ride.

Author:	cvb
Date:	16 Mar 2008 5:48:32 AM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Tennessee (TN)
Distance:	61.06 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 7778 ft Total Loss: 7798 ft Net Change: -21 ft
Difficulty:	8 / 10
Tags:	Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, Robbinsville
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Start from the visitors center in Tellico Plains and use the first 7 miles of flat terrain as a warm-up for the real-deal climbing further up the Cherohala Skyway. The road is hicknamed for the two national forests it skirts (Cherokee and Natanhala), both of which you’ll get great views of when the serious climbing begins at mile 14. For the most part, grades range from 6-9 percent as you work your way up to the Santeelah Overlook at mile 30.5. A few short (but hair-raising) descents will give you a respite from climbing and then slow you down on the thrilling return descent. The pavement is excellent, and the road has broad shoulders, leaving plenty of room for motorists and cyclists alike.

-Mapped by Chris Vanden Bossche

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Tellico Plains, TN: The Cherohala Skyway

Dist: 61.06 mi	Points: 3422	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Heading west on TN 165	Then go 0.75 mi
0.75 mi	Bear Right	Continue on TN 165/River Rd.	Then go 4.15 mi
4.90 mi	Bear Left	Continue on TN 165/Indian Boundary Rd.	Then go 9.19 mi
14.10 mi	Bear Right	Continue around the bend on TN 165	Then go 9.43 mi
23.52 mi	Turn Right	Cherohala Skyway	Then go 6.91 mi
30.43 mi	U-Turn	Return to start on the same route

Points of Interest

Photo 8

Location: Unknown
A view from the Skyway

Photo 3

Location: Unknown
First overlook after the serious climbing begins

Visitors Center parking lot at Tellico Plains

Location: 35.367706°, -84.301272°
The start/finish of the ride.

Tellico River

Location: 35.356226°, -84.267197°
The first 6 or so miles of the ride follow the Tellico River.

Cherohala Skyway rollers

Location: 35.352376°, -84.194670°
After the road turns away from the river, there are a series of fairly stiff but short climbs--rollers that take you up to the serious climbing.

Start climbing

Location: 35.384082°, -84.119911°
At the sign for Indian Boundary Road the serious climbing is about to begin. The first mile or two up to the overlook on the right are very steep; after that it settles into a fairly steady 6% until it kicks up for the first gap (mountain pass).

First overlook

Location: 35.353286°, -84.131584°
The first overlook comes after the serious climbing begins.

Santeethlah summit

Location: 35.306580°, -84.012365°
There is no sign to mark the summit; instead look for the overlook parking is on the left as you ascend around 30.5 miles in. From here, this track U-turns and returns to Tellico Plains. The Skyway itslef descends rapidly from here down to Robbinsville, NC, a thrilling extension to the ride if you're game to double up on the climbing.