North Carolina offers a diverse range of natural beauty, from the Outer Banks on the Atlantic Coast to the millions of acres of national forests and the oldest section of the Appalachian Mountains. It's a great place to view autumn foliage. As the season begins to change, start planning your itinerary to get the most out of your scenic weekend drives.

Cherohala Skyway

Another scenic byway you will want to visit while in the Smoky Mountains and Cherokee region is the Cherohala Skyway. The skyway connects two national forests – Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina – which is how it earned its name. At 20 miles, you can traverse this road westward through the Appalachian Mountains in about 45 minutes. It crosses various access points to the Appalachian Trail and overlooks the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway

Roughly a two-and-half-hour drive out of Charlotte, this 65-mile scenic drive will take you through the Smoky Mountains and Cherokee region marked by waterfalls, mountain farms, and lush forests. Begin your journey at the north end of the byway marked by two pillars commemorating local Transylvania County residents who fought in World War I. It also serves as the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, established in 1916 and encompassing about one million acres. This beautiful drive takes about two hours.

Crowders Mountain Drive

About a 40-minute drive west of Charlotte is the 5,126-acre Crowders Mountain State Park. The forested park is home to two high peaks, Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle, making it a popular destination for rock climbers. Sloping valleys and reflective lakes complement the foliage, guaranteeing a beautiful array of autumn colors along the winding drive through the park.

Mountain Waters Scenic Byway

In far western North Carolina winding through Nantahala National Forest's two river gorges, you will find this 61.3-mile scenic road. It passes along hardwood forests, glades, waterfalls, lakes, creeks, and rivers. At about four hours, it's the longest drive from Charlotte on this list, but it's well worth the experience. The park offers a campground, fishing, and hiking and is a great destination for the outdoor enthusiast.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Perhaps one of the most well-known parkways in America, the Blue Ridge Parkway spans 252 of its miles in North Carolina. It passes mountain towns and historic sites, overlooks four national forests, and tunnels through 26 hills and mountains. It's the second-most visited destination in the National Park Service and deemed a must-see for autumn foliage. To access it from Charlotte, it's another two-plus-hour trip west to the Smoky Mountains and Cherokee region. You might want to make this an overnight trip on the weekend as there is a lot of ground to cover and much to see. Whether you like a relaxing afternoon drive before a dinner out or a day trip or weekend excursion, North Carolina offers several options to meet your tastes. Fall will be here and gone before you know it, so don't hesitate. Image from Pixabay licensed under CC BY 2.0