N.C. byways get national designation

North Carolina’s Scenic Byways program has garnered attention from the federal government, which has bestowed two of the state’s routes with prestigious national designations.

The Outer Banks and Forest Heritage scenic byways have been named national scenic byways, joining 149 other distinctive and diverse routes through the country to receive the designation. Only four state byways share the designation.

The Outer Banks Scenic Byway’s nomination highlights the unique maritime culture shared by 21 coastal villages along the route. The northern end of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway begins in Dare County at Whalebone Junction, the joining of US 64/264, US 158 and NC 12 in Nags Head. It runs south along the Atlantic Ocean, traversing Bodie and Hatteras Islands in Dare County, Ocracoke Island in Hyde County and Down East in Carteret County.