The gap is the eastern point of the Qualla Boundary, which marks the territory held as a land trust for the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

In Cherokee, the pass is known as Ahalunun'yi (ᎠᎭᎷᏄn'Ᏹ), meaning "Ambush Place" or Uni'halu'na (ᎤᏂ'ᎭᎷ'Ꮎ), meaning "where they ambushed;" named after the occasion, probably in the mid-18th century, when the Cherokees ambushed a party of invading Shawnees, all of which were killed except for one, who was sent back (without his ears) to tell his people of the Cherokee victory.

[3] U.S. Route 19 (Soco Road) traverses through the gap, which connects Cherokee and Maggie Valley.

The Blue Ridge Parkway also passes through the gap, providing scenic views along the adjacent ridge lines.

This North Carolina state location article is a stub.