Blueway Trails of the <strong>North</strong> Carolina SmokiesF<strong>our</strong> rivers, Little Tennessee, Nantahala, Oconaluftee and Tuckaseegee, flowthrough the NC Smokies and into Fontana Lake at the edge of the <strong>Great</strong><strong>Smoky</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> creating a spectacular “Blueways Trail” throughout theregion. Those rivers and their watersheds encompass the Nantahala NationalForest and the two most visited units of the national park system, the <strong>Great</strong><strong>Smoky</strong> <strong>Mountains</strong> National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which createthe “infrastructure” for the largest and most visited outdoor recreation areasin the Southeastern United States.The Oconaluftee, considered “sacred waters” by the Cherokee, and known as the“Luftee,” is a beautiful, freestone river that drops 2,000 feet over 10 miles and flowsthrough Cherokee before joining the Little Tennessee on the way to Lake Fontana.Wading, tubing and canoeing are all popular here. However, the Luftee is most famousfor its abundant healthy Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout. In fact it holds the <strong>North</strong>Carolina Record Brown Trout weighing in at 15.9 pounds!10Action So Hot, The WaterIsn’t Just White. It’s Boiling.Bryson City, NCFreestyleKayaking2013.comKayak.VisitSmokies.orgThe ultimate whitewater competition is comingto the Nantahala River on September 2–8, 2013— the International Canoe Federation’s (ICF)Canoe Freestyle World Championships. Thispremier freestyle kayak event is slated to drawover 300 top freestyle paddlers from aroundthe world, as well as thousands of spectatorshere, to the Nantahala Gorge, in the heart ofthe <strong>North</strong> Carolina Smokies.B Free live music in downtown Bryson Cityand by the Nantahala River B Fun games andraces for athletes and spectators alike, includinga spectacular “big air” ramp competitionB Outdoor activities, such as whitewater andflatwater paddling, zip lining, hiking andmountain biking B Authentic mountain musicand crafts in the Blue Ridge National HeritageArea vendor marketplace B Meet vendor repsfrom the biggest names in outdoor recreation inan on-site outdoor gear exhibition.All photo by Steven McBrideThe Nantahala offers river raftingand kayaking through familyfriendlyrapids and is a popularspot for the amateur as well as theOlympic padder. It features eightmiles of Class II rapids beforesplashing through the excitingClass III whitewater of NantahalaFalls. This is one of America’s mostpopular whitewater runs! It is alsorecognized as one of the area’spremier trout streams. So good infact, that Trout Unlimited includedit on their list of the top 100 TroutStreams in the US.The Little Tennesseeand its immediate watershedcomprise one of the richestarchaeological areas in theSoutheastern US. Knownto the avid fisherman forits Small Mouth Bass, thisriver is a popular spot forcanoeing, fishing and floating.Travelers and locals alikeenjoy the town of Franklin’sLittle Tennessee Greenwayas it winds along the river.The Tuckasegee, known as the “Tuck,”originates around Cashiers and runs throughCullowhee, Sylva, Dillsboro and Bryson Cityon its way to Fontana Lake. A float trip onthe Tuck is an exhilarating way to experiencefly-fishing in the southern Appalachians.The river has areas that are as wide as manywestern rivers, offering plenty of room forback casting. The Tuck is also a popular riverfor tubing, floating and canoeing.11
RoBBinsville −> Fontana Village −> SanteetlahDig in here and you virtually hear weathered voices of ages gone by say, “There’s a lotof history in these mountains.” While you listen, undulating views of the Smokies rippleout in front of you and right into the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Just grab y<strong>our</strong>hiking boots and hit Snowbird Backcountry, where you’ll find y<strong>our</strong>self amidst woodsthat once harbored the Cherokee that fought expatriation. Past and present in perfectkinetic union – this is life in motion. This is vintage <strong>North</strong> Carolina Smokies.Then, for t<strong>our</strong>ing with plenty of turns, take The Dragon. An 11-mile stretch of US 129,its curvy legend among sports car drivers and motorcyclists grows each year. Whilehere, motor on the Cherohala Skyway, one of America’s most spectacular NationalByways! Or, for a more peaceful way to acquaint y<strong>our</strong>self with these beautiful mountaintowns, stop by Robbinsville and visit Junaluska’s grave. He was the Cherokee Chief whofamously saved President Andrew Jackson’s life, only to be repaid with an eviction notice.Motor on over to Santeetlah Lake, a postcard-perfect, crystal blue body of watersurrounded by the Nantahala National Forest that will take y<strong>our</strong> breath away! Certainlyshoot over to Stecoah and the Stecoah Valley Center, a beautifully refurbished stoneschoolhouse dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of SouthernAppalachian culture, music and craft.Graham County Traveland T<strong>our</strong>ism AuthorityServing Robbinsville, Fontana Dam,Lake Santeetlah & Stecoah Valley387 Rodney Orr Bypass, RobbinsvilleGrahamCountyTravel.com800.470.3790 • 828.479.3790With a natural beauty still unspoiledby crowds, we are truly a rare find in today’s busy world. Come spend theday driving the twisties, hiking at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, WhitewaterRafting on the Cheoah River or biking <strong>our</strong> newest Santeetlah Bike Trails!Fontana Village Resort300 Woods Road, Fontana DamFontanaVillage.com • 800.849.2258Over 100 cabins, lodge, campground,Lake Fontana Marina & boat rentals,group conference &catering facilities,restaurants &lounges, pools &lazy river, biking& hiking trails.12 13
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