Route 11: Blue Ridge to Lake Hartwell Scenic Drive Welcome to your Cherokee Foothills Scenic Drive, a peaceful journey across the beautiful landscapes of Upstate South Carolina. Today, we’ll be taking the long way — the scenic way — along Route 11. It’s one of the most picturesque roads in the Southeast, winding from the Blue Ridge Mountains all the way to the shores of Lake Hartwell. This drive takes about four hours without stops, so we recommend starting early, taking your time, and planning for breaks along the way. The focus of this tour is nature — mountains, forests, lakes, and a whole lot of fresh air. We’ll share interesting history, geography, and cultural stories as we go, but much of the time, we’ll keep things quiet so you can simply enjoy the scenery, the sound of the road, and the peaceful views out your window. There will be a few planned highlights you won’t want to miss: A short detour up the mountains to the incredible overlook at Caesars Head State Park, where the views stretch for miles across the Blue Ridge A scenic loop through Table Rock State Park, with dramatic cliffs and shimmering mountain lakes And plenty of wide-open stretches through some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the region We’ll pass historic towns, ancient Cherokee homelands, and rolling foothills that slowly give way to lake country. You’ll see why this route has earned a reputation as one of the best scenic drives in the nation. Safety first — the road can get curvy in spots, and mountain driving can be full of surprises. Always follow the rules of the road, keep your eyes on the curves, and feel free to pause anywhere it’s safe to pull over. So settle in, relax, and enjoy the quiet beauty of South Carolina’s natural side. Adventure is ahead — let’s get rolling.
Explore Hartwell with self-guided GPS audio tours designed to help you discover famous landmarks, hidden gems, and local stories at your own pace. With our tour app, enjoy guided walking tours, driving routes, and biking experiences that turn your phone into a personal travel guide. Whether it’s your first visit to Hartwell or a return trip, self-guided city tours make self travel easy, flexible, and unforgettable.
Where-to-Live: Hartwell, Georgia
Hi there and welcome to this UCPlaces Where-to-Live tour of Hartwell, Georgia! My name is Shelly and I’ll be showing you around this fun town on behalf of agent Travis Halbrook. With over 20 years of experience in new home construction, renovation, land development, and real estate investing, Travis can show you all the ins and outs of both home buying and Hart County as a whole! Also Travis is a full-time Hartwell Resident, so clearly he loves it here, just like you are bound to as well. After the tour, give Travis Halbrook a call at 706-949-1719. You can also visit his website travishalbrook.georgiamls.com. For now though, let’s get you acquainted with this historic American town! We will be starting out in the historic downtown district of Hartwell so please meet me at the corner of Athens and Howell Street where we will be heading east.