Scenic Drives
Pacolet River Byway - Mountain Scenic Drives
The Pacolet River Byway begins at the South Carolina state line and traces U.S. 176 through the Tryon Thermal Belt, an unusual microclimate area ordinarily free of dew and frost, to the town of Saluda. This valley road crosses the Pacolet River several times and parallels the Saluda Grade, the steepest mainline railroad grade in the United States.
Old railroad depots, log cabins, a vaudeville/movie theater and several other historic buildings are in the towns of Saluda and Tryon. Pearson’s Falls Natural Heritage Site, near Saluda, is a 259-acre botanical wonderland where visitors may hike, bird watch or picnic.
The byway ends where U.S. 176 crosses High Bridge at the Henderson County line.
Length: 10 miles
Driving Time: 20 minutes
Counties: Polk
courtesy of NC Department of Transportation
added: September 15, 2009
updated: September 25, 2009
This Page:
http://www.visitnc.com/journeys/articles/scenic-drives/1/pacolet-river-byway-mountain-scenic-drives
