Take a ride with us as we drive 32 miles north along the Foothills Parkway in Tennessee, tracing a scenic path from near Tallassee up to Wears Valley. This stretch of the Parkway is one of the most breathtaking drives in the eastern United States, forming a sweeping arc along the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. We begin our journey at the Chilhowee Lake Overlook, nestled just above the southern shores of Chilhowee Lake, where you can catch shimmering views of the water backed by the rolling Smoky Mountain ridgelines.
As we leave the overlook, the Parkway immediately lives up to its reputation. The road gently climbs and winds its way up the mountain, offering a smooth, flowing experience behind the wheel. Unlike more rugged mountain roads, this one was clearly built for soaking in the views. With a posted speed limit generally around 45 mph, there’s no rush—this route is all about the journey. We cruise through a series of graceful curves and sweeping switchbacks, the Smokies unfolding around every bend. Several strategically placed scenic pullouts offer picture-perfect stopping points, each more jaw-dropping than the last.
Among the highlights are the Gregory Bald Overlook, with its commanding view of the bald-topped mountain that glows with flame azaleas in spring, and the Parson Bald Overlook, another quiet stop named for one of the remote summits nearby. Further along, Look Rock stands out as a major attraction—home to a short hiking trail and observation tower that delivers panoramic views stretching across the Tennessee Valley and into the heart of the national park. This portion of the Parkway is also part of the so-called “missing link,” a section completed only in recent years after decades of planning, and it’s easy to see why it was so eagerly anticipated by locals and visitors alike.
Continuing northeast, we descend gradually into Wears Valley, a quiet gateway to the Smokies. This area offers plenty of opportunities to extend the trip—take a detour into Great Smoky Mountains National Park via Line Springs Road, or stop off for lunch at one of the roadside eateries in the valley before looping back toward Townsend or heading deeper into the Pigeon Forge area. Whether you’re just out for a short drive or building this into a longer Smoky Mountain loop, this segment of the Foothills Parkway delivers views, serenity, and a real sense of Appalachian majesty.
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