By Henri Bauholz
North Carolina runs from East to West and so it is blessed with a gradual change of topography that begins on the windswept
beaches of the Outer Banks and continues to the lofty heights of the Great Smoky Mountains along the western edge of the state. Motorists will find many fascinating highways throughout the state.
Blue Ridge Parkway
No motor tour of North Carolina is complete without a ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs in a northeast or southwest direction through the western portion of the state. Beginning at the Virginia State Line and running all the way to the town of Cherokee just outside the national park, drivers will enjoy this scenic passage as well as many attractions along the way.
Coastal State Highway 12
Highway 12 is another stunning classic drive in the Tar Heel State, but this time you will be traversing the windswept beaches of the Outer Banks. With the surf of the Atlantic on one side and the great expanse of the Pamlico Sound on the other, at times it will seem you are just traveling along a narrow sand dune. Be sure to make it to the little town of Ocracoke, where you can put your car on a ferry and continue a little ways further along this beautiful highway once you debark on the mainland.
Across the Alligator River on Highway 64
North Carolina State Highway 64 crosses the state from east to west with many enjoyable sights along the way. Motorists might especially enjoy the eastern section that crosses the Alligator River on a long causeway and then traverses the marshlands of the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge. These wetlands are distinctly different from the Outer Banks, which are just a few miles away.
The Mountains
Make the ascent from Rutherford right into Asheville on combined state highways 64-74. This abrupt climb and scenic view at the end is pronounced. In this part of the state the foothills and the mountains form a distinct boundary. Take a drive through charming Ashville and then you can continue the journey west on Highway 74 through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains all the way to the Tennessee border. And do not forget that Highway 74 traverses the state eastward all the way to Wilmington and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
About the Author:
Henri Bauholz is a professional writer covering a variety of topics, including hiking, camping, foreign travel and nature. He has written travel articles for several online publications and his travels have taken him all over the world, from Mexico to Latin America and across the Atlantic to Europe.
