Hwy 19/74 Murphy to Cherokee: Views or tree-enclosed?? (Clayton, Franklin: vehicle, trees)

[hadila]

Hi everyone,

I'm in two minds about the route I will take this weekend to go from Atlanta to Cherokee. I DO know one route, i.e. up to Clayton/GA and on to Franklin/NC, then north on 441 though NC. That was, as I remember, a fine and very enjoyable drive.
On the other hand I feel I should give some other areas a try: an alternative being the route up to Blue Ridge/GA, then north to Murphy and all the way on Hwy 19/74 to Cherokee. That route has those "scenic dots" on my map. But after looking at it with google maps aerial view, I am very much concerned that it might be one of those roads that launch me into a kind of depressive mood; roads I call "anywhere USA", because the only thing you see mile by mile by mile is trees to your right, trees to your left and trees over your head - like being in a coffin or driving through a dark tunnel - not those far views that I love. I remember , e.g., how the "scenic" roadnfrom Townsend through Smokey Mtn NP to Gatlinburg (little River Rd) turned out to be a nightmare like that -ad to that a slow vehicle going at 20mph in front of you and a no-overtaking sign - I was real hapy, when I got to the end of the road!! Same story with Hwy 64 from Rosman going west ( ad stop-and-go traffic for this one) .

So, given the above premises: would you recommend taking 19/74, or should I better drive that nice route through Franklin again?

hadila (Hamburg/Germany)

[KeysDreamer]

Originally Posted by hadila

Hi everyone,

I'm in two minds about the route I will take this weekend to go from Atlanta to Cherokee. I DO know one route, i.e. up to Clayton/GA and on to Franklin/NC, then north on 441 though NC. That was, as I remember, a fine and very enjoyable drive.
On the other hand I feel I should give some other areas a try: an alternative being the route up to Blue Ridge/GA, then north to Murphy and all the way on Hwy 19/74 to Cherokee. That route has those "scenic dots" on my map. But after looking at it with google maps aerial view, I am very much concerned that it might be one of those roads that launch me into a kind of depressive mood; roads I call "anywhere USA", because the only thing you see mile by mile by mile is trees to your right, trees to your left and trees over your head - like being in a coffin or driving through a dark tunnel - not those far views that I love. I remember , e.g., how the "scenic" roadnfrom Townsend through Smokey Mtn NP to Gatlinburg (little River Rd) turned out to be a nightmare like that -ad to that a slow vehicle going at 20mph in front of you and a no-overtaking sign - I was real hapy, when I got to the end of the road!! Same story with Hwy 64 from Rosman going west ( ad stop-and-go traffic for this one) .

So, given the above premises: would you recommend taking 19/74, or should I better drive that nice route through Franklin again?

hadila (Hamburg/Germany)

Just returned from another Murphy trip and while we enjoy seeing all types of scenery, part of that route would be what you don't like. Will say the drive from Murphy to Andrews is beautful with mountains on both sides of the highway.

If you have time, go out 294 from Murphy to Tellico Plains TN and hop on the Cherohala Skyway back to Robbinsville NC and then go back south to Murphy and take the trip to Cherokee through Franklin. Cherohala Skyway has beautiful views that you would love. Enjoy!

[hadila]

@KeysDreamer,

>>part of that route would be what you don't like<<

Thanks a lot! So now I know which route to take

>>Cherohala Skyway has beautiful views that you would love<<

Sounds good. I'll definitely go there on my way back from Chattanooga to Atlanta; looks like it is not even much of a detour.

hadila