Road Reviews

HWY 64 (Brevard-Franklin, NC)

Drive 98 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains, through charming towns and by plenty of beautiful waterfalls. Begin in Brevard and travel west on U.S. Highway 64 by Lake Toxaway and through Cashiers and Highlands. Stop at roadside waterfalls Dry Falls and Bridal Veil as your enter the Cullasaja River Gorge. The byway continues to follow U.S. Highway 64 through Franklin and on to Murphy.

HWY 276 - Caesar's Head (Brevard-Greenville)

If this road were to be repaved it could easily be one of the top 5 drives in WNC. Since it does have some uneven pavement, it is not always the most enjoyable on a motorcycle. This south end of HWY 276 picks up in Brevard and eventually makes it to Greenville, SC. The best parts of this road lie in the region just South of the NC border. Tight switchbacks and the rare opportunity for a passing lane on two corners going uphill will keep you engaged. Make sure to check out Caesar's Head State Park as well as the chapel, "Pretty Place" on the YMCA Campus. Connect this road with HWY 178, HWY 215, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the North end of HWY 276 for arguably the best driving loop in WNC.

HWY 215 (Brevard/Rosman)

This road has a lot to offer for any rider/driver. HWY 215 picks up from HWY 64 near Brevard and connects all the way to the Canton & Waynesville area. This road has been repaved in the past years and has a silky smooth surface, south of the BRP to HWY 64. The lower section of the road is mostly flat and offers many quick and tight corners with a few switchbacks. The upper portion near the BRP opens up to much higher speed corners with smooth exits/entries. Continue under the BRP and on down the mountain and the road becomes a steep downhill pass. This portion is best enjoyed alone and carefully as there are many areas of small gravel on this road. To bypass this, just go North on the BRP to connect to HWY 276 or continue on back to Asheville.

HWY 178 (Brevard/Rosman)

This road is a series of up and downhill sections that pick up from HWY 64 near Brevard/Rosman and head South into South Carolina. This road has a variation of tight and wide sections with about 1,000ft of elevation change from top to bottom. The pavement surface is acceptable. It is not as smooth as HWY 64 or HWY 215, but is still acceptable for motorcycles. At the bottom of this road is a gas station which offers cheaper SC gas prices and snacks. This spot serves as a great halfway point if you are traveling the Carolina Ring. There are many hiking trails and waterfalls in the woods along the way for the outdoor enthusiasts.

HWY 151 - Devil's Drop/Heaven's Ascent (Candler, NC)

​Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Candler, NC lies the most technical road the area has to offer. It is 3.5 miles long and has over 1,000ft of elevation change from bottom to top. With no guardrails and no cell phone reception, it can lead to a bad time for those who become victim to it's many decreasing radii. The uphill, or Heaven's Ascent, is the most common direction enjoyed. The downhill, or Devil's Drop, is for those who trust their skill and their brakes. This road doesn't disappoint!

HWY 276 - Pisgah National Forest (Brevard-Waynesville)

​HWY 276 has two legs that offer fun for any rider/driver. This section is located in Pisgah Forest, NC, near Brevard, NC. This route starts at the parking area for Looking Glass Falls and continues up the mountain, under the Blue RIdge Parkway, and ends at the bridge and parking area for the Shining Rock Trail Head (see map below). The 12 miles of various corners this road has to offer is very smooth, but can often have a lot of tourist traffic due to the attractions in the area (waterfalls, hiking, swimming, biking, etc). This road is not extremely difficult, but do be careful for some of the tight corners north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This road is close to HWY 151. At the bottom of this route at the intersection of HWY 276/280/64 are Hawg Wild, a tasty BBQ joint, and Dolly's Ice Cream, a local favorite for summer treats for decades.

Route 711 off Wayah Rd (Franklin, NC)

This road was a pleasant surprise recommended by a local friend of mine. It is located off of HWY 1606/Wayah Rd just as you reach the top of the first mountain headed from the Franklin side. This road may not be super technical, but it was fun to drive. With a gravel road at the end, and no side streets, this could be a very fun road, comparable to the Tail of the Dragon in these regards. If you are in the area, check this one out too.

US 129 - Tail of the Dragon (Deals Gap/Robbinsville)

US129 or the Tail of the Dragon is the most well known road here in WNC/Eastern TN. It boasts 318 in 11 miles. While many roads in the area offer technicality and excitement, US129 has a combination of slight uphill and downhill portions, with plenty of corners to keep you busy. This road is a mecca for car and motorcycle enthusiasts, but with that, comes lots of traffic. During peak times motorists flock to the area and can make for slow motoring. But as the sun starts to set or during the off seasons, join the locals for a much quicker pace. See the video for more!

HWY 63 - Doggett Mtn (Asheville)

HWY 209 - Hot Springs (Asheville)

US 421 - The Snake (Boone)

US 74A (Fairview, NC)