Blue Ridge Country January/February 2023 - 36

GREAT SCENIC BYWAY S
J. SCOTT GRAHAM
LEFT: North Carolina's
Forest Heritage National
Scenic Byway includes
a view of Looking Glass
Falls.
ABOVE: Mingus
Mill is a must-visit
along North Carolina's
Newfound Gap Road
Byway.
JOSHUA MOORE
thrilling last experience on the journey.
Length: 46 miles. fs.usda.gov/recarea/
dbnf/recarea/?recid=39552
Pine Mountain Road Scenic Byway.
Mapping this route-simple. Driving
it-rich and adventurous. The towns
are steeped in human history, and the byway,
climbing up and over the 2,800-foot
Pine Mountain, is legendary.
the surrounding communities. Choose
from cottages, lodges, campgrounds and
RV parks, vintage motels and a whole host
of cabins. Or, stay the night in an Australian
LotusBelle stargazing tent at The Hive
at High Rock. These are artist designed
boutique glamping accommodations.
After a visit to the Red River Historical
Museum and one of the old-time general
stores for supplies, head west on KY 11
into the forest. After 12 miles of gorgeous
scenery later and a turn onto KY 77, arrive
at Nada Tunnel. Originally a railway tunnel
from 1911, this 900-foot-long passage
under the mountain is now a one-lane
part of the byway. It's pitch dark; only 12
feet wide; and, supposedly haunted!
The next turn is onto KY 715. Ride
along the winding path of the Red River
to the Gladie Cultural and Environmental
Learning Center. This is the place to gather
maps, see interpretive exhibits, take a
short hike, have a picnic and learn about
the 100 sandstone arches and why this
park is known as " the best rock climbing
in the world. "
36 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Back on the byway, get up close and
personal with a sandstone arch called Sky
Bridge. You can follow a semi-blacktop
loop trail and actually walk across the arch.
Take the camera for breathtaking views of
Devil's Canyon, Swift Camp Creek ravine
and the mountainsides. (Be sure to keep
going on the trail for a surprise look under
the arch as well.)
Once you reach Pine Ridge, take a right
onto KY 402. About 10 miles down the
road is the town of Slade where you can
visit the Kentucky Reptile Zoo, home to
one of world's largest number of resident
venomous snakes.
Return to KY 11 south and follow along
the Middle Fork River with a stop at the
iconic Natural Bridge. There are eateries,
shops and accommodations here, along
with a sky lift ride. This section of the byway
leads to our final stop in Zachariah.
Here a new adventure awaits-via ferrata.
Italian for " iron path, " it is a path on a
rock face that protects climbers with steel
cable, fixed anchors, pins and footholds.
It's the first of its kind in the country; a
Access this scenic road via the town of
Harlan. The downtown revitalization of
recent years offers several ways to learn
how coal mining shaped this area of Appalachia.
Take a guided walking tour (historic,
haunted and one called the " pipe organ " )
and visit shops, boutiques, cafés and
restaurants located throughout this area.
Travel north on US 421 and turn right
onto the " official " start of Pine Mountain
Road, US 119. You will ride alongside
Poor Fork to your west, a tributary
of the Cumberland River, and mountain
chains on both sides. Upon arriving in
Cumberland, grab a bite to eat at Emma's
Southern Style Cooking.
Take a short side trip on KY 160 east for
a few miles to the towns of Benham and
Lynch. For an overnight stay, book a room
at the Benham Schoolhouse Inn. Built in
1926 for the children of coal miners, it is
now on the National Registry of Historic
Places. There are 29 guest rooms, a restaurant,
gift shop and maybe even a ghost or
two - according to legend.
Stop in the Kentucky Coal Museum to
see the " most comprehensive collection
of mining memorabilia in the nation. "
With four levels of exhibits, visitors are
immersed in the life of the communities.
http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/dbnf/recarea/?recid=39552 http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country January/February 2023

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