Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2017 - 57

Mike Burton

Table Rock State Park is a place not to miss along South Carolina's Cherokee Foothills Trail.

Cohutta-Chattahoochee
Scenic Byway
Distance: 56 miles
Description: The Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway travels
through the Chattahoochee National Forest, plus a number of
charming towns. During your journey take in breathtaking views of
the Cohutta Mountains, scenic
country roads and Fort Mountain
State Park.
Key feature: At Prater's Mill in
Dalton, observe a working 19thcentury gristmill and cotton gin
and pick up goodies at the general
store. This site offers a fascinating
glimpse into the rural heritage of
northwest Georgia, and offers guided tours along with a scenic park.
Not to miss along the way: The
3,712-acre Fort Mountain State Park
is a relaxing getaway off Highway
52 with opportunities for hiking,
biking and horseback riding. Local
sites include a stone fire tower built
by the Civilian Conservation Corps
and an ancient, 855-foot rock wall
that stands on the highest point of
the mountain. The park also has a
beautiful 17-acre lake.
A great town: Just west of Fort
Mountain State Park is Chatsworth,
which was founded in 1905 as a
depot on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Here you can explore

the Chief Vann House Historic Site,
a restored mansion built in 1804,
and grab a bite to eat at the familystyle Edna's Restaurant, known for
its delectable Southern dishes.
Details: exploregeorgia.org/
listing/920-cohutta-chattahoocheescenic-byway

South Carolina

Cherokee Foothills Trail
Distance: 118 miles
Named after the Native Americans who once called the South
Carolina foothills home, the SC 11
route runs along the base of the Blue
Ridge escarpment.
Key feature: Cowpens National
Battlefield is just east of Chesnee
near the North Carolina state line.
This historic site preserves a major
battlefield of the American Revolutionary War, where Brigadier General Daniel Morgan won the Battle
of Cowpens over British Lieutenant
Colonel Banastre Tarleton in 1781.
See fascinating details about the battle in the visitor center's museum,
which has exhibits, a fiber-optic
map, walking tour and reconstructed log cabin.
Don't miss along the way: The
3,083-acre Table Rock State Park
is at the edge of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and includes the 3,415foot Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest

mountain in the state. The park's
many features include two lakes,
hiking trails and waterfalls.
A great town: Known as the "Peach
Capital of South Carolina"-look
for the giant peach water tower off
I-85-Gaffney is the seat of Cherokee County. The town continues to
attract new residents and businesses,
and there are major development
plans for the downtown area. A top
destination here is Harold's Restaurant, which dates back to 1932. The
family-owned eatery offers delicious
homemade food and friendly service
and has been featured on Food Network. Be sure to try the fat back and
pinto beans.
Details: www.scenic11.com

Kentucky

Wilderness Road Heritage
Hghway
Distance: 93 miles
Leading from Middlesboro to
Berea, this wonderful drive follows
the journeys of some of our earliest
pioneers. Stops include Cumberland
Gap National Historic Park, where
Daniel Boone created his own Wilderness Road.
Key feature: Pine Mountain Resort Park in Bell County opened in
1924 as Kentucky's first state park.
The 1,159-acre attraction hosts the
annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel
Festival in the spring, and also has
a 30-room lodge, restaurant, golf
course and hiking trails.
Don't miss along the way: One
of the more unique features at
Pine Mountain Resort Park is the
Chained Rock, a massive 101-foot
chain secured to a boulder atop Pine
Mountain.
A great town: Pineville is the seat
of Bell County and is on a small strip
of land between the Cumberland
River and Pine Mountain. It's one of
the oldest settlements in Kentucky
and its downtown is undergoing a
revitalization. For delectable Southern soul food, head to The Flocoe,
noted for its friendly service and affordable prices.
Details: www.go-kentucky.com/
Wilderness. 
September/October 2017 57

http://www.scenic11.com http://www.exploregeorgia.org/ http://www.go-kentucky.com/

Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2017

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