NASCAR fans are well aware of the famous Talladega Superspeedway, but how many from out-of-state have ever done the Talladega Scenic Byway, about a half-hour blast west up I-20? This tire-eating two-laner begins 3 miles west of Heflin and runs south on Rte. 281 along the narrow, very steep ridge of Horseblock Mountain. Sharp falloffs on both sides of the road provide an eye-popping panorama of the Talladega National Forest . From there the tarmac twists through Cheaha State Park and scales Cheaha Mountain , Alabama 's highest peak at 2400 feet. This is an experience 180 degrees different from watching Dale Ernhart draft Jeff Gordon at 200 mph. In fact, if you want to absorb the shady ridges and rolling valleys and pause for the frequent turnouts, speed is not a good idea. Overlooks at Cheaha Mountain , Dugger Mountain and Horseblock Lookout shouldn't be missed. Better yet, get out of the car and picnic at Morgan Lake or hike up parts of Pinhoti Trail (warning: the whole trail stretches more than 80 miles) where you are apt to see white-tailed deer, red fox, possums, raccoons, skunks and turkeys (both feathered and human). A side trip on Forest Road 646 brings you to Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area, with its picturesque lake and mountain valley. The byway ends at Turnipseed Camp, a historic hunting camp. If you still haven't had enough-and you're piloting a 4x4 vehicle-there's more woodsy wonders ahead on the Forest Road 600, a gravel trail that calls for extra ground clearance.

If you missed September in New England , there's always late October in Alabama . One of the prettiest and best driving roads in the state is Lookout Mountain Parkway . With a nip in the air, this ridge road twists through fluttering canopies of orange elms, red maples, scarlet oaks, golden hickories and fire-red sumacs, creating vivid impressions. You get your start at the intersection of Ala. Hwy. 117 and Co. Rd. 89, high above Will's Valley in the quaint little hamlet of Mentone. Twin turrets mark the sprawling Mentone Springs Hotel, built in 1884 and now serving as a restaurant and herb shop. To the south, the road bends aplenty around spectacular countryside where Cherokees once lived and hunted. Beginning at the unspoiled Little River Falls, this tight two-laner rambles for 27 miles through DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne , at the base of Lookout Mountain . Shoot down Rte. 35 to see the careening, 104-foot DeSoto Falls , then peel right to drive the rim along Little River Canyon, a 17-mile gash in Lookout Mountain that is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi . With drop-offs measuring more than 300 feet, looking down, rather than up, is the rule. With somewhat fewer neck-bending diversions and crooks in the road, the pace quickens on the downhill run to Gadsden , trails end for the Parkway. For one more scenic buzz, take in the Noccalula Falls Park , with its 90-foot cascading falls, covered bridge and botanical garden.