Directions to Hinton Rural Life Center, Hayesville, NC

From Asheville:
Travel time from Asheville is about 2 hours.
Take I- 40 WEST approximately 20+ miles from Asheville to Exit 27
(signs indicate 74W to 19, to 23 and Waynesville, WCU, Franklin, Murphy)

Follow US 23 South/74 West towards Waynesville (stay in left two lanes) which becomes the Smoky Mountain Expressway (do not take exit 103 to Cherokee, nor other Waynesville exits)

From Waynesville:
Leaving Waynesville (on US 23 South) you will pass a rest stop on left and go over Balsam Mountain, continuing past Sylva/WCU exits. (Note as approaching exit 83- look left to see historic Jackson County Courthouse -white building with dome on top of hill between mountains).

Take Exit 81 (sign indicates Dillsboro, Franklin, Atlanta) and follow 23 South/441 South
over Cowee Mountain, past Gold City on right to Franklin.
You will go through 2 traffic lights (441 Business then Walmart Shopping Center on left) but stay on Highway which will become US 64 WEST after right curve in Franklin.

From Franklin: (note: no services between Franklin and Hayesville)  
Stay on Highway US 64 WEST -  past exit for 441 South to Atlanta, cross the Callasaga River and through 3rd traffic light (sign - Murphy 54 miles), then 4th light (sign - Hayesville 36 miles).  

Follow US 64 West (which becomes 2 lane road) over Winding Stairs Gap toward Hayesville.
Note that because of the slope on ascend/descend and possible truck traffic it may take 45+ minutes to travel 30 miles. There are scenic overlooks if you want to stop, but no services.

After leaving the Nantahala National Forest (brown sign on left), continue past Junction of Hwy 175 and past a large lake on left.  Over the next 2-3 miles watch for the following landmarks:

• Sign on left for Southern Living Apartments (buildings stepped on hillside)  
• Living Word Praise Center (large church building complex on hill to left)
• Road curves slightly left (past solid rock wall) and just after

ON LEFT brown sign for Hinton Rural Life Center (also Goldhagen Art Glass sign)
Turn LEFT just after the sign onto Hinton Center Road
Stay straight on Hinton Center Road past Oak Forest UMC on right, past Wonderview (white fences) and Clay County Food Pantry (on right) about 2 miles from highway. 
Road ends at Hinton Center Parking Lot.

If you cross the Hiwassee River and come to a traffic light at Hayesville, turn around and go back about one mile to Hinton Rural Life Center Sign (on Right) and turn RIGHT just before the sign onto Hinton Center Road.