The first part of this byway follows the combined route of
U.S. 64 and
NC 28 from
Highlands, North Carolina to
Franklin, North Carolina and features views of the
Cullasaja Gorge, the
Cullasaja River and numerous
waterfalls, including: •
Bridal Veil Falls, actually from a tributary creek •
Dry Falls, which visitors can walk behind without getting wet •
Quarry Falls, also known as Bust-Yer-Butt Falls •
Cullasaja Falls, the major cascade of falls From Franklin, the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway follows SR 1442 to the west, climbing through
Wayah Gap (elevation: 4,180 ft) on the way to
Nantahala Lake and then to the community of
Aquone. From Aquone, SR 1442 follows the
Nantahala River to
Beechertown, where it joins
U.S. 19/
74, which the byway follows to its ending point in the community of
Lauada. The route from Aquone to Lauada features the
Nantahala Gorge. ==History==