6.Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
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Starting point: Ouray or Silverton, Colorado
The route: 24 miles on U.S. 550 between Ouray and Silverton
What to expect: Is this Colorado road called the Million Dollar Highway for its million-dollar views? Or because an early traveler was so spooked by the route's steep climbs and hairpin turns that he claimed he would never travel it again, not even for a million dollars? Perhaps, rather, it's because the road reportedly cost a million dollars a mile to build. Whatever the case, this dramatic drive is part of the San Juan Skyway, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, and offers breathtaking mountain views.
Keep in mind that the highway, or sections of it, can close due to snow. Even if it's open, snow chains are recommended as it's a mountainous route with many steep cliffs and sharp turns.
Where to stop: Pull over at any of the designated viewpoints to take in the Animas River Gorge, perhaps, which can be seen from Molas Pass, or the Red Mountain Overlook. If you plan to stick around for more exploring, make the historic town of Silverton your basecamp. A bit off the route but still worth a visit is the ghost town and former mining hub of Animas Forks.
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7.Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina
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Starting point: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The route: About 85 miles on U.S. 321 and I-40E (one hour, 45 minutes), or 120 miles on U.S. Highway 441 and the Blue Ridge Parkway (3.5 hours)
What to expect: Driving between Gatlinburg and Asheville puts you in or near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and provides a wintry window into southern alpine wilderness. From Gatlinburg, U.S. 441 to the Blue Ridge Parkway is considered the scenic route, but if you opt for the shorter trip (U.S. 321 to I-40E), you can pull over to admire all 4,928 feet of Mount Cammerer. Rest assured both routes abound with beautiful winter views, although road conditions on the Blue Ridge Parkway could be worse in inclement weather.
Where to stop: Play for a day at Ober Gatlinburg, a mountainside amusement park with skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more — the 2.1-mile Aerial Tramway from downtown Gatlinburg to the top is a scenic treat in itself. If you follow the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll get your pick of more than 50 scenic pullouts with mountain views. On the other side, in Asheville, a tour of the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate is a must.