Road to Nowhere

Bryson City, NC

With so much to see and do in the Bryson City area, it is hard to imagine a day when you might have nowhere to go. But should that happen, there is always The Road to Nowhere, a scenic mountain highway that takes you six miles into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends at the mouth of a tunnel. On the map, it is called Lakeview Drive, but to the citizens of Swain County it is “The Road to Nowhere — A Broken Promise.” There are many local eateries to enjoy lunch at while in Bryson City.

Segment #1

  1. Start at Smoky Mountain HD
  2. Head toward W Lamar Alexander Pkwy. Go for 39 ft.
  3. Turn right onto W Lamar Alexander Pkwy (US-321). Go for 0.5 mi.
  4. Turn right onto Robert C Jackson Dr. Go for 1.1 mi.
  5. Turn right onto Morganton Rd. Go for 3.3 mi.
  6. Turn left onto Clover Hill Rd. Go for 1.7 mi.
  7. Continue on Calderwood Hwy (US-129). Go for 32.1 mi.
  8. Optional stop Dam Overlook
  9. Continue on Tapoco Rd (US-129). Go for 0.7 mi.
  10. Optional stop Deals Gap
  11. Turn left onto Highway 28 N (NC-28). Go for 31.9 mi.
  12. Turn left onto Highway 19 W (US-74 E) toward US-19 N/US-28 S/Bryson City/Asheville. Go for 4.0 mi.
  13. Turn left onto Cold Springs Rd. Go for 0.6 mi.
  14. Turn right onto Lower Alarka Rd. Go for 1.1 mi.
  15. Continue on Highway 19 S (US-19). Go for 3.1 mi.
  16. Turn left onto Main St (US-19). Go for 0.2 mi.
  17. Turn left onto Everett St. Go for 0.3 mi.
  18. Turn slightly left onto Everett St. Go for 8.5 mi.
  19. Arrive at Road To Nowhere. Your destination is on the left.

Segment #2

  1. Start at Road To Nowhere
  2. Head toward Hidden Creek Ln on Fontana Rd. Go for 8.8 mi.
  3. Turn left onto Main St (US-19). Go for 5.1 mi.
  4. Continue on Ela Rd (US-19). Go for 2.1 mi.
  5. Continue on Highway 19 (US-19). Go for 2.6 mi.
  6. Turn left onto Highway 441 N (US-441). Go for 19.0 mi.
  7. Continue on Newfound Gap Rd (US-441). Go for 13.1 mi.
  8. Optional stop Newfound Gap Overlook
  9. Turn left onto Fighting Creek Gap Rd. Go for 9.7 mi.
  10. Optional stop Sugarland Welcome Center
  11. Turn right onto Wear Cove Entrance Rd. Go for 1.2 mi.
  12. Continue on Line Springs Rd. Go for 0.2 mi.
  13. Continue on Line Springs Rd. Go for 1.3 mi.
  14. Turn right onto Wears Valley Rd (US-321). Go for 0.8 mi.
  15. Turn right toward Foothills Pkwy. Go for 0.2 mi.
  16. Turn right onto Foothills Pkwy. Go for 8.9 mi.
  17. Continue on Foothills Pkwy. Go for 6.0 mi.
  18. Turn right and take ramp. Go for 0.2 mi.
  19. Turn left onto E Lamar Alexander Pkwy (US-321 S). Go for 9.8 mi.
  20. Continue on S Washington St (US-321). Go for 318 ft.
  21. Turn left onto E Lamar Alexander Pkwy (US-321). Go for 2.2 mi.
  22. Continue on W Lamar Alexander Pkwy (US-321). Go for 1.4 mi.
  23. Turn left. Go for 118 ft.
  24. Arrive at Smoky Mountain H-D.