It’s time for our annual look at the best back road drives (in our opinion) in the area!
Buckle up!
Fall is upon us.
And with it, the opportunity to cruise with the windows down, the radio up, and the coffee warm.
And, as we do every year around this time, we’d like to share some of the best local autumn drives with you, today.
As this is a blog about Monterey, we chose three routes that lead to our little city and all the fun waiting there!
Highway 70 From Cookeville
Hwy. 70 provides stunning views of the fall foliage before beginning its rapid ascension up the Cumberland Plateau from Cookeville to Monterey. Our personal favorite spot is the area around Dry Valley. This stretch offers a bucolic wonderland surrounded by low mountains and is sure to enchant anyone who chooses the route. Looking for a little extra fun on the way up? Take a left onto Shady Lane (which connects to Rocky Point and leads to Monterey as well) for some of the most picturesque landscapes found in the area.
Highway 70 From Crossville
For those heading toward Monterey from Crossville and beyond, we recommend Hwy. 70 westbound! With a slow-moving route that cuts through thousands of acres of rolling farmland, countless side roads to lose yourself in, and the overlook at Cumberland Cove, this course is the perfect way to spend a relaxing Saturday morning behind the wheel, connected to nature, or both.
Brotherton Mountain Road
Finally, Brother Mountain Road. Snaking from Algood/Cookeville to Monterey, this route is (again, in our humble opinion) the truly ideal autumn backroad. From stunning vistas to creepy folklore (stop by the Depot Museum in Monterey and ask historian Dale Welch to share the tale of Crazy George’s Bridge – a site one passes while traveling this route), Brotherton Mountain Road connects riders with the history and natural wonder of the area. Don’t miss it!
These are but a few of the hundreds of gorgeous roads that dot the Upper Cumberland.
Come shop, dine, and enjoy all that is Monterey, TN while on your trek this fall!
