The Scenic Byways & Highways of North Carolina

Mother Nature endowed North Carolina with a wealth of natural beauty and scenic roads which offer travellers dazzling views of waterfalls, ancient mountains, and dune-lined beaches. Here are three of our favourites. 

Waterfall Byway winds through the “land of waterfalls” on a 158-kilometer stretch of U.S. 64. Among the 200 cascades along the route, Cullasaja, Bridal Veil and Toxaway create dramatic beauty while another favourite, Dry Falls, invites motorists to park and walk behind the rushing water without getting wet. Cashiers, Highlands, Murphy, and other towns contribute distinctive charm to the route.  

Connect with the roots of a Native American tribe, U.S. history, and an isolated mountain range on the Hanging Rock Scenic Byway. The heart of the 61-kilometer route lies in Hanging Rock State Park, named for the unusual rock formations of the ancient Sauratown Mountains. Allow trail time for close-up views of Cascade Falls and Tories Den, a cave with ties to the American Revolution.  

For a journey through coastal wonders, follow the Outer Banks Scenic Byway along a string of windswept barrier islands. Dune-lined beaches, wildlife preserves, historic villages, and towering lighthouses mark the 222-kilometer route, which includes a pair of ferry crossings.