Best Motorcycle Roads & Destinations in North Carolina, United States

If you decide to have your motorcycle trip in North Carolina or “the Old North State,” you made an excellent choice. North Carolina is renowned for having no shortage of lovely and exciting motorcycle roads that span for dozens or hundreds of miles. Many of the routes will cut through marshes, swamplands, rolling hills, and mountainous areas. If you are an experienced motorcyclist, you may be familiar with many notable motorcycle routes exclusive to North Carolina including Cherohala Skyway, Copperhead Loop, etc.

If you have never heard of these locations or do not know how to travel these routes in North Carolina, do not worry. This piece will tell you some of the highlights regarding North Carolina’s motorcycle roads and destinations.

Distance: 22 miles
Time: 36 minutes
Start: Stecoah
End: Tapoco

Setting out from Stecoah, you will follow along the sweeping curves and sudden drop-offs that make up Fontana Road. As you slowly swerve in a northwest direction, you will soon find yourself traveling beside Fontana Lake. Along the way, you can stop by Moonshine Run Campground and Cable Cove Campground or get a look at Firescald Ridge, Williams Cove, and Bee Cove.

When you arrive at Fontana Dam, you will have reached the halfway point of this route. You will also have gotten closer to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can head over to the Lewellyn Cove Trailhead or go over to Brooks Cove just outside the town. This is an ideal rest stop since this town has restaurants, supply stores, and a resort to help you unwind before resuming your trip.

As you head westward, you will travel alongside Cheoah Lake for the remaining duration of the trip. When going around a bend, you will get close to the Twenty Mile Trailhead if you are interested in hiking. Nearing the end, you will transition onto Tapoco Road. Just in the distance, you should be able to make out the start of the Tail of the Dragon and the Deal’s Gap.

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 33 minutes
Start: Little Switzerland
End: Little Switzerland

While you are still in Little Switzerland, you should check out the shops to see if there are any Diamondback collectibles, memorabilia, or souvenirs you would like to purchase. As you head southwest on the NC-226A, you will find that the road is characterized by sudden drop-offs and quick, tight hairpin curves.

As you curve around the western section of the Diamondback Loop, you will find the highlight to be the erratic twists and turns cutting through the mountainous forests. Since the direction and length of the twisting road constantly changes, it makes for a welcome challenge for experienced riders.

The southern and western sections of the Diamondback Loop should be uneventful and easy to navigate. Aside from the small creeks you cross over and the dense rows of trees you pass by, there is not much to see besides the natural scenery.

Approaching the home stretch as you traverse the northern section of the Diamond Loop, you can visit the exhibits at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals. You can also make out Blue Ridge Parkway just north of your current route. 

Distance: 78 miles
Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
Start: Brevard
End: Brevard

While you are still in Brevard, you can take a quick breather at Franklin Park, Silverstein Park, or Bracken Preserve before you head out on your motorcycle. After leaving the city behind, you will come across Pisgah National Forest. You can get a better look at the natural scenery if you head up to Art Loeb Trailhead.

Continuing northward on the right side of the loop, you will pass by many examples of natural scenery including Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Justus Cove, Pisgah Ridge, Bullpen Cove, etc. Before you transition onto the northern section of the loop, you will follow alongside the Pigeon River.

Looping back southward towards Brevard, you will get to check out even more of North Carolina’s natural beauty including Lake Logan, Hickory Flat Cove, Sunburst Rocks, Little Bird Falls, Sunburst Falls, Courthouse Falls, etc. Though this road is a challenge for even the most experienced riders due to the technical curves, there are instances of relaxing sweeping turns and sudden changes in elevation. 

Distance: 19 miles
Time: 36 minutes
Start: Highlands
End: Franklin

Starting in Highlands, you can enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. Or you can walk above the waterfall tumbling into the Mill Creek at the Highlands NC Greenway.

Continuing onto U.S. Highway 64 then transitioning to Franklin Road, you will ride close to Lake Sequoyah and get to feel the spray from Sequoyah Falls. Curving around the length of Cullasaja River, you will then get close to Bridal Veil Falls.

As you continue towards Cullasaja, you will get the opportunity to explore natural sites and hiking trails including Bust Your Butt Falls, Cullasaja Goldmine Road, and Cullasaja Falls. This road has lots of twists and sharp curves yet manages to remain on relatively level ground. 

Distance: 51 miles
Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Start: Robbinsville, NC
End: Tellico Plains, TN

If you choose to explore Robbinsville before heading out, you can spend time at Graham County Park or take a short walk up Junaluska Memorial and Medicine Trail. Heading westward, you will curve around and cross over the fingers extended from Santeetlah Lake.

You continue to head deeper into the Nantahala National Forest which takes you to natural sites and hiking trails such as Spirit Ridge, Huckleberry Knob, and Benton MacKaye Trail.

After you pass the North Carolina-Tennessee border, you will enter the northern region of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Because the road is full of twisties and sweeping curves that can reach up to elevations of 5,400 feet high, it is recommended that you be mindful of your speed.

Heading towards Tellico Plains, you will pass by the Falls Branch Scenic Area and Cherokee Wildlife Management Area. You can also admire Tennessee’s environment by going to Grassy Gap Trailhead, Turkey Creek Overlook, Tellico River Gorge, and Wildcat Falls.

Distance: 147 miles
Time: 4 hours
Start: Brevard
End: Bryson City

Passing through the Nantahala National Forest, this is a roundabout way to get between Brevard and Bryson City resembling a poorly drawn backward “S.” Heading out westward on U.S. Highway 64, you will pass by Gorges State Park, Hogback Lake, and Fairfield Lake.

As you go around the first curve of the “S,” you will be able to check out the minerals and goods at Jackson Hole Gem Mine. Afterward, as you head to the middle of the route, you will get to explore the wilderness at the Pines Recreation Area, High Falls, and Upper Sols Creek Falls.

After clearing the second curve of the “S,” you will find the rest of the route is dotted with lookout points to give you a better view of the surrounding landscape. Following one after another, you can head up to Rough Butt Bald Overlook, Roy Taylor Forest Overlook, Thunderstruck Ridge Overlook, etc. 

Distance: 51 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Start: Lake Toxaway
End: Lake Toxaway

As you hang around the coast of Lake Toxaway, you have the chance to snap pictures of Toxaway Falls and take a gander around Lake Toxaway Nature Park. As you head up north on NC-281 to enter the loop, you will pass by Marshall Falls and Sowell Falls.

Upon entering the loop, your first destination will be Wolf Mountain which is in the vicinity of Tanasee Creek Lake. Heading northwest towards the left side of the loop, you will travel in between Wolf Creek Lake and Paradise Falls. Continuing to ride on Canada Road, you will swerve by Little Canada Recreation Park.

Curving along the northern and eastern sections of the Lake Toxaway Loop, you will find the most enjoyment in turning your attention on the constant twists and turns rather than keeping an eye out on the natural scenery. You should be careful of any gravel on the road and sharp technical turns that force you to stay low to the ground.

Distance: 26 miles
Time: 46 minutes
Start: Fines Creek
End: Hot Springs

If you happen to be visiting Fines Creek during the fall, you can test your courage by wandering inside the Haunted School. For the first half of your journey, you will skirt around the east side of Harmon Den Wildlife Management Area. This will take you close to Bill Cove, Liner Cove, Turkey Cove, and Betsy Gap.

Before you enter Pisgah National Forest, your surroundings will be sprawling farmlands with old barns, farm buildings, and fields full of hay or corn. After passing the small communities of Luck and Trust, you will find a small establishment called the Rattlers Den at the halfway point. A popular rest stop for motorcyclists, you will be able to catch a quick meal and take a break from the road.

As you continue your journey north toward Hot Springs, you can try out target practice by shooting at the Fowler Farms Sporting Clays. You can explore the natural scenery at the Pisgah National Forest, Rocky Bluffs. When you are about to enter Hot Springs, you can take a short trek by heading up the Appalachian Trailhead, South Hot Springs.

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 32 minutes
Start: Blowing Rock
End: Grandfather Mountain State Park

Your starting point is named after the rock formation that has nice views of the nearby peaks, forests, and the Johns River Gorge. Within the vicinity of the village are the Bass Lake Trail and Glen Burney Falls Trail which are ideal paths to stretch your legs. You can also check out the exhibits at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.

As you travel on the Blowing Rock Highway, you will encounter many of the region’s natural scenery including Green Mountain Creek Falls and Beacon Heights Overlook Trail. This route runs parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway if you wish to take an alternate route or wish to get closer to other roadside attractions.

Upon finally making it to Grandfather Mountain State Park, you can test your courage by walking across the precarious-looking swinging suspension bridge. Because of the height and length you have to cross, you should avoid this if you have a fear of heights.

Distance: 17 miles
Time: 28 minutes
Start: Black Mountain
End: Bat Cave

When you start in Black Mountain, you can explore the shopping center of the town by going to the Black Mountain Town Square. If you wish to see greenery without having to drive towards the wilderness, you can head to either Lake Tomahawk Park or Veterans Park.

As you ride southward, you will climb up the mountainous areas that are close to the Eastern Continental Divide which should give you a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Foothills. Leaving the rougher terrain behind, you will pass through lush hardwood forests and a deep valley.

Continuing on your way to Bat Cave, most of your surroundings will be sprawling fields, old farm buildings, and streams coming from the mountains. As the road begins to flatten out, it should still keep you engaged due to the many twists, turns, and switchbacks.

North Carolina is part of a small collection of states that follow a universal motorcycle helmet policy. Every rider must have a tightly fitting three-quarter or full-face helmet with little to no serious damage to the outer shell.

In North Carolina, passengers must be sitting in a designated seat, whether it be a pillion or a sidecar. Passengers of any age are allowed to ride so long as they wear a motorcycle helmet at all times.

Just because there is no visible evidence that your motorcycle is starting to stop working does not mean it cannot happen from time to time. If left alone to gather dust in your garage or has been used constantly during commutes, your motorcycle could be susceptible to malfunction.

If you have not tested that each of your motorcycle’s parts works in a while, you should conduct a quick examination of this equipment:

• Horn
• Wheels
• Tires
• Handlebars
• Front and Rear Brakes
• Controls
• Headlight
• Taillight
• Break Light
• Exhaust system
• Muffler
• Rearview mirrors

Lane splitting is declared illegal in North Carolina.

As this article only covered the basic facts about North Carolina’s motorcycle laws, you can get further details by clicking the link here.

North Carolina is considered a favorite among motorcyclists due to the state having lots of natural areas you can explore, roadside attractions you can admire, and smoothly paved roads you can travel on. You may feel inclined to only navigate and visit the more well-known motorcycle roads and destinations in North Carolina. Or you may want to explore as many locations in North Carolina as possible within only a few hours within a single day.

Regardless of what you would like to accomplish on your motorcycle trip through North Carolina, do not feel the need to rush and figure out the details of your excursion carefully. The point of a motorcycle trip is to enjoy spending time with your vehicle and test the capabilities of your current riding skills. Make sure you plan out a route that you are confident you can handle, pull over to see the sights that pique your interests, and be flexible on when and where you should take breaks.