Is it safe driving up into the mountains from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, North Carolina? | Road Trips

If you’re driving up into the mountains from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you have several awesome scenic routes that take you up to higher elevations and give you beautiful mountain views. Most are paved public roads, not off-road, and are suitable for normal cars (just go slow on curves). 🚗 Classic Mountain Drives Near Gatlinburg 1. Newfound Gap Road (US-441) What it is: A scenic mountain highway that climbs from Gatlinburg up through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and continues to Cherokee, North Carolina. Why it’s great: Dramatic elevation change (1,200 ft up to 5,046 ft) and lots of scenic overlooks where you can stop for photos.