This weeks trip is a true beast of a road trip, and encompasses many of our past installments in its massive route.  Designated as the Scenic Highroads Trail, this monster road trip is 337 miles in length and will take riders across 4 states.  It is advised to make this trip a weekend event instead of a day trip.

Although long, the route itself is fairly direct.  Take US-64 from Franklin and head west towards the Tennessee border, passing through the towns of Hayesville and Murphy in the process.  Continue on US-64 through the Ocoee gorge and into Tennessee until you reach the town of Ocoee.  Here, take a left onto US-411 and head south into Georgia to the town of Chatsworth where you will pick up Georgia Highway 52 and take to Ellijay.

Once in Ellijay, riders will intersect with US-76 and head east, eventually winding up in Clayton, GA and continuing onward into South Carolina to the town of Seneca.  When you reach Seneca, turn left onto SC-28 and head to neighboring Walhalla where you will connect to Highway 107.  Take 107 north to North Carolina and to the town of Cashiers, connecting once again with US-64 completing the loop.

• Be sure to follow all traffic laws, and speed limitsespecially since riders will be venturing into four separate states.

• NORTH CAROLINA " The far western part of North Carolina may be very rural but it still has many interesting things and places to visit.  Little towns such as Franklin, Hayesville, Murphy, and Highlands all have a lot to see in their downtown areas, including restaurants, specialty shops, and unique architecture.   The small community of Brasstown, NC also has a few places of interest, such as the John C. Campbell Folk School and Clays Cornerthe self-proclaimed Opossum Capital of the World and home to the New Years Eve Annual Possum Drop.
  www.folkschool.org, www.clayscorner.com

• TENNESSEE " The stretch of Tennessee which riders will travel on is in the Ocoee Gorge.  This area is home to several whitewater recreation, and a small dam system.  It was also the home to the canoe and kayak slalom competitions for the 1996 Summer Olympics.  The facility is still there, now operated by the US Forest Service and called the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
  http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ocoee/

• GEORGIA " Fort Mountain State Park outside of Chatsworth is named for a mysterious rock wall which is found at the top of the peak.  Believed to have been built as a fortification by Indians years ago, the 855 long rock wall makes for an interesting side trip.  There is also a stone tower and overlook on the mountain, as well as camping and other forms of recreation found in other areas of the park. http://www.gastateparks.org/FortMountain
• In the city of Ellijay, GA is Pooles BBQ, home to the famous roadside attraction, the Pig Hill of Fame  where over 3000 wooden pigs with names of customers past adorn the hillside behind the restaurant.  Not to be outdone, Pooles is also home to the Taj Ma-Hog, and the Pig Moby-il.  The whole complex is a well-known roadside attraction and worth a visit.  www.poolesbarbq.com
• Located in Blue Ridge, Georgia is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.  The only scenic railroad in the state of Georgia, the BRSR operates a 26-mile scenic excursion from Blue Ridge to Murphys Junction while traveling along the Toccoa River daily.  www.brscenic.com

• SOUTH CAROLINA-Be sure to check out the downtown areas of both Seneca and Walhalla, both downtown areas have lots to offer the wandering traveler.  http://www.seneca.sc.us/, www.walhallachamber.com
• Off of Highway 28 just south of the connection with Highway 107 lies the Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls.  Stumphouse Tunnel, along with Middle and Saddle Tunnels, once made up the Blue Ridge Railroada rail system which was to connect Knoxville, TN to Charleston, SC.  Started in 1852, the railroad was never completed due to the lack of funding and the Civil War.  Within the Stumphouse Tunnel park, lies The Stumphouse Tunnel which visitors can walk in and see to a certain point.  The other two tunnels lie along the Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail (and have been filled in with sediment and dirt, although their tops are still visible.   Issaqueena Falls is also located on a short walking trail in this park.