Settle In For 44 Miles Of Mountain Scenery Without Touching The Steering WheelFour and a half hours sounds long until the scenery starts changing outside the window. Watch Fontana Lake Appear Right Outside Your WindowThe route does not reveal its biggest water views immediately. You Can Cross The Fontana Trestle With Water Stretching BelowThen the tracks run straight out over Fontana Lake. Follow The Nantahala River Deeper Into The GorgeThe landscape tightens again after the broad views around Fontana Lake. In North Carolina, 44 miles bring creekside tracks, Fontana Lake, a long trestle, river views, mountain forest, and an hour deep inside the gorge.