48 hours in Cherokee County
Covering a large swath of the mountains in Western North Carolina, Cherokee County is considered a “Crossroad to Adventure,” where the outdoors are a fundamental part of the daily life for locals, and a primary draw for visitors. Cherokee County is a place where the ancient peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains cradle lush river valleys. The area is a paradise for water activities, boasting numerous lakes and rivers, like Hiwassee Lake, which stretches for 22 miles along the Hiwassee River, all of which is surrounded by the wild Cherokee National Forest. For land-lovers, the nearby Nantahala National Forest, which preserves 531,000 acres of mountains, is a wonderland of hiking, biking and picnicking.
Casey Kerr
meet the local: Casey Kerr
Casey Kerr is the executive director of Cherokee County’s tourism development authority and relishes the opportunity to introduce visitors to the bounty of outdoors in her backyard. Sure, being a good host is part of Kerr’s day job, but she, and her fellow Cherokee County residents, live and breathe the adventurous life they preach.
“Our connection to the outdoors is deeply rooted in the very fabric of our community,” Kerr says. “Cherokee County is truly the heart of soulful living in the Appalachians Mountains.”
Exploring the outdoors with stewardship in mind is a key element to the local culture in Cherokee County as well, and Kerr says visitors have a unique chance to experience the area’s historical sights and modern outdoor amenities while respecting the integrity of all resources.
Casey Kerr: My weekend exploring and preserving in Cherokee county
day one
morning adventure
Grab a cup of coffee and a handmade baked treat from Crafted Dough, in Downtown Murphy and then head to Andrews for North Carolina’s first trailbike tour with Andrews Valley Rail Tours. This two-hour, 8.5-mile roundtrip journey puts you on a recumbent bike that’s specifically designed to ride on train rails, allowing you to take in the spectacular beauty of Andrews Valley on a secluded former rail line with no vehicular traffic. It’s a great way to see the natural beauty of the area and experience the local railroad and farming culture. Along the way you’ll cross several trestle bridges while passing through active farms, and end at the Valley River Tunnel, which was carved by hand in the late 1800s by rail workers.
An alternative option if you’re looking for a scenic stroll, is to walk along the Murphy River Walk and Canoe Trail, a four-mile greenway that follows portions of the Hiwassee and Valley Rivers. There are several pretty views along the way as well as 19 audio stations where you can scan a QR code to listen to facts about local history.
When you learn about the history and culture of a destination helps us become better stewards of the landscape, because it gives them a deeper appreciation of the locals who have carved out lives in these mountains.
Lunch
In Andrews, head over to Hoppy Trout Brewing Company on Main Street. They make all of their beers in-house and they have great wood-fired pizzas. Try their Smoke in the Valley, a smoked lager, and build your own pizza from their huge list of ingredients.
Afternoon adventure
Spend the afternoon on Hiwassee Lake, a 22-mile-long reservoir just five miles from downtown Murphy. This pristine lake has 108 miles of shoreline surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest.
Hanging Dog Recreation Area offers easy access to the lake, with picnic tables, fishing piers and a boat launch. Or, if you want to rent a paddleboard and cruise the lake, head to Mountain View Marina, which has paddleboard and kayak rentals so you can explore the secluded coves of the lake on your own.
Be a good steward of Hiwassee by Trashing Your Trash. When you’re on the lake, that means packing away any discarded fishing line or food scraps from your lunch or snacks. Hiwassee Lake is known for its striper and smallmouth bass populations, and Trashing Your Trash keeps harmful items out of their food system and helps maintain a healthy fish population.
dinner
Head back into downtown Murphy for classic pub food and a local beer at Valley River Brewery and Eatery. A hearty steak and cheese could be just the right move after a day on the rails and the lake. You can walk some of that meal off by strolling through downtown, taking note of the Downtown Murphy History Tour, which features 10 sites with plaques where you can learn about the community’s past.
spend the night
The area has plenty of hotels and campgrounds to choose from. If you want to add a little excitement to the weekend, consider spending the night at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel, which has luxury rooms along with a spa and pool.
day two
morning adventure
It’s time for a bit of adrenaline and a good workout. Take your mountain bike to Piney Knob Trail System, which has 13.5-miles of singletrack rolling through a 700-acre forested park. The trails were built by International Mountain Bike Association professionals and are maintained by our local mountain bike group, Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association. The system is built as a stacked loop, so you can choose your distance without having to worry about getting lost. The Rhodo-Coaster is a blast. It’s a 3.75-mile loop through rhododendron tunnels and several creek crossings.
Even though Piney Knob was built with mountain biking in mind, multiple user groups love this trail system, so a ride here is a good opportunity to Share the Outdoors. If you’re on your bike, remember to let hikers and runners have the right of way, and yield to those travelling uphill. And it never hurts to offer a smile and “hello.” Being considerate of others when you’re in the wild goes a long way to ensuring all users enjoy their outdoor experience.
lunch break
Get a proper meal at Legend’s Steakhouse, in Murphy, which is known for its steaks, seafood and pasta. The options are endless. The Black and Bleu Steak Salad is a classic, but you also can’t go wrong with their Burger Wrap.
afternoon adventure
You have to take some time to enjoy one of Cherokee County’s hidden gems, Lake Appalachia. It’s a narrow, nine-mile-long reservoir with no commercial facilities, so it’s perfect if you want to enjoy a tranquil adventure on the lake. Canoeing is popular there, and it’s also a popular spot for fishing for smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish.
Plan Ahead and Be Prepared by knowing the fishing regulations and making sure you have a current fishing license. And if you’re going to paddle, be sure to wear a personal flotation device. Packing the right safety equipment and being self-sufficient reduces the chances you’ll need assistance on the lake, which minimizes the overall impact of your adventure.
Bonus adventure
No visit to this corner of Western North Carolina is complete without a stroll through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Just down the road from Cherokee County, this one-of-a-kind forest is home to massive, old-growth trees, some of which are more than 400 years old. There’s a great hiking trail that forms a two-mile loop through forest, taking you by the largest trees. Hiking through an ancient forest like this puts proper stewardship in perspective. Remember to Stick to Trails, and only hike on established paths, which will allow the understory of these massive trees to grow unimpeded, ultimately helping preserve the health of the entire forest.
You’re invited to join the outdoor nc movement
Join the movement to preserve and protect North Carolina’s beloved outdoor spaces and you’ll be entered to win a ENO double nest hammock and hanging straps! Together we can preserve our beloved outdoor spaces for generations to come. Click to learn more.