NORTH CAROLINA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
The Best Roads Are Here
What Are The 10 Best Motorcycle Rides In North Carolina?
- Cherohala Skyway (27 miles)
- NC Route 28 (53 miles)
- Blue Ridge Parkway (NC, 205 miles)
- Route 80 - Devil's Whip (38 miles)
- Copperhead Loop (75 miles)
- Shiner's Run (33 miles)
- Wild Dam Waterfall Loop (80 miles)
- Newfound Gap Rd (35 miles)
- US-74 Alt (40 miles)
- Wayah Rd (28 miles)
Motorcycle Rides Near Me In North Carolina
Below is our detailed list of the best North Carolina motorcycle rides!
Motorcyclists will appreciate the western region of the state with the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the east coast, riders can check out the small fishing villages, pristine beaches, and lighthouses along the Atlantic Ocean. Click on each North Carolina motorcycle map link for the direct Google Maps routes. Discover the best motorcycle routes near me in North Carolina!
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Check out our newest YouTube video on the Top North Carolina Motorcycle Roads! See what it's like to motorcycle the Cherohala Skyway and the Hellbender 28. We also cover tips on how to ride the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap!
CHEROHALA SKYWAY
Route 143
DISTANCE: 27 miles
TIME: 45 mins
One of the best motorcycle roads in North Carolina is full of mountainside forest scenery and elevation changes. Described as a "Drive among the clouds", this motorcycle dream route reaches elevations of over 5400ft high. While many riders come to this part of the state to ride the legendary Tail of the Dragon, many actually find this road to be more enjoyable. Along with multiple vistas and overlooks, the Skyway provides easy access to various protected and recreational areas to stop and stretch your legs. The Santeetlah Overlook is a must stop for anyone wanting the complete experience. Enjoy the experience of riding one of the best motorcycle rides in NC!
(Photos: cherohala.com / roadrunner.travel)
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ROUTE 28
NC-28
DISTANCE: 53 miles
TIME: 1.5 hours
The western portion of this NC motorcycle road is referred to as Hellbender 28, and for good reason. Riders will enjoy an awesome road experience through dense, forested mountains with sweeping curves and drop offs along Fontana Lake. The eastern side offers scenic waterfalls and more tight cornering. Right next to Deals Gap, this fantastic motorcycle ride is less known and less populated, but certainly no less enjoyable!
(Photos: tripadvisor.com / flickr.com)
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BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
TOTAL DISTANCE: 469 miles
TIME: 12 hours
Truly one of the best roads in the entire eastern United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a national treasure and an absolute joy to motorcycle. High elevations, steep grades, tight curves and lots of tunnels all can be experienced along the North Carolina section of this motorcycle road. While the entire Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles in length, the road spans approximately 205 miles within NC. Look out for wildlife, especially during dusk and dawn. There are many overlooks to pull over and take in all the beauty, so allot plenty of time for this great motorcycle ride in North Carolina.
(Photos: v-rider / neilpeart.net)
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ROUTE 80 (DEVIL'S WHIP)
NC-80
DISTANCE: 38 miles
TIME: 1 hour 10 min
Steep inclines, switchbacks, quick and tight turns - all describe this extremely challenging NC motorcycle ride dubbed Devil's Whip. Ride this south to north, so as to navigate the tight corners uphill. NC-80 crosses under the Blue Ridge Parkway between Crabtree Falls and Mount Mitchell State Park. While the "Devil's Whip" is generally considered to end at Micaville, NC-80 continues to be a great road up to Bakersville. There are many fatalities on this road, so even the most experienced riders will want to navigate this route with caution and focus.
(Photos: flickr.com / 600riders.com)
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COPPERHEAD LOOP
US-276, NC-215, US-64
DISTANCE: 75 miles
TIME: 2 hours
Much of this North Carolina motorcycle ride follows the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway through the Pisgah National Forest, and is a perfect combination of everything riders would want - uphill/downhill, curves, switchbacks, sweepers, amazing views and peaceful mountain streams. Even experienced riders will enjoy the challenging technical curves this loop provides, but there's also easy-going sweeping turns and some rapid elevation changes. See why the Copperhead is “Beauty With An Attitude!"
(Photo: visitncsmokies.com)
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SHINER'S RUN
NC-209
DISTANCE: 33 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Shiner's Run is the stretch of North Carolina State Road 209 that starts at I-40 and goes north for 33 miles before ending in Hot Springs, NC. Referred to by locals as "The Rattler", this great North Carolina motorcycle road features many challenging twisties, high-speed sweepers and long straightaways across valley floors. You'll see old farms, rock bed rivers and scenic mountain overlooks. It’s one of the better kept secrets in western North Carolina and a ride not to miss. The road is in very good shape overall as well.
(Photos: hdforums.com / trustgeneralstore.com)
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WILD DAM WATERFALL LOOP
Routes 281, 64, 107
DISTANCE: 80 miles
TIME: 2.5 hours
As the name of this loop implies, this great motorcycle ride in North Carolina will offer fantastic views of some of the state's best waterfalls, as well as crossing over scenic dams in the southwestern part of the state. NC-64 is a beautiful scenic ride through the Cullasaja River Gorge with a few waterfalls to stop by and check out. On NC-281, you enjoy a series of sweeping downhill turns as you roll down to Tuckaseege.
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NEWFOUND GAP ROAD
US-441
DISTANCE: 35 miles
TIME: 1 hour
The beginning of this epic mountain motorcycle road starts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and winds through Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee, NC. With significant altitude changes as you ride through Newfound Gap you have several scenic pullouts that afford long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The biggest downside to this road is the popularity (there will be traffic on most days), but if you can catch this ride on a less busy day, there's lots of beautiful scenery and sweeping curves.
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US-74 ALT
DISTANCE: 40 miles
TIME: 1 hour
For an excellent road with minimal traffic, check out US-74 Alt, just off Hwy 40 in the Black Mountain, NC area. The section from Rutherfordton to Lake Lure is a two lane country road, with not many intersections. There are some sweepers here, which makes for nice, country riding. Once you hit Lake Lure, the road becomes very twisty almost all the way to Asheville. You run along the scenic lake for a few miles with beautiful scenery and a spot to get a picture along the lake. There's also quite a bit of elevation on this route, you'll climb way up and then drop back down when you get close to Asheville. The last section before you hit Asheville is also really nice, an open country road with farms on and a great view up to the mountains. For a mountain road detour, check out NC-9 from Bat Cave, as this is another great ride in the area.
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WAYAH ROAD
DISTANCE: 28 miles
TIME: 1 hour
Wayah Road is a lesser known gem that follows the eastern shore of the lake before descending into the Nantahala Gorge. Little traveled and tucked away from more famous nearby routes, Wayah Road offers technical switchbacks and flowing S-curves through the wilderness. The climb out of the depths of Nantahala Gorge is steep and twisty right from the start. It follows the bank of the river as it cascades down the slope from the lake above, crossing it on narrow bridges a few times. At the top of the climb, the road relaxes and rolls across the heights of the mountain passing through the small community near the lake. The road gets tight again along the shoreline of the lake, then climbs a bit more to reach the gentle run across the high stretches of Wayah Bald.
(Photos: flickr.com / D. Rondinelli)
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Where Can I Find NC Motorcycle Events?
Visit our friends at BikeWeekEvents.com to find local NC Motorcycle Rallies and all scheduled bike shows happening in North Carolina!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is North Carolina motorcycle friendly?
Home to beautiful mountains, seaside vistas and thriving agriculture, North Carolina also has over 80 amazing motorcycle rides! Due to it's mild winter climate, its not uncommon for motorcycles to be on the road year-round, so motorists are used to seeing bikes on the roads every month of the year.
How long is the Tail of the Dragon Road?
The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap is 11 miles in length, and features a whopping 318 curves.
What's the speed limit on Tail of the Dragon?
Despite many thrill-seekers looking to race on the Tail of the Dragon, the world famous road does have an official speed limit of 30 miles per hour. TN and NC Patrol units routinely patrol the Tail of the Dragon.
How long does it take to ride the Tail of the Dragon?
It takes about 30 minutes to ride the Dragon's 11 exhilarating miles. If you're traveling by motorcycle, don't forget your helmet—they're required for both drivers and passengers in North Carolina and Tennessee.
What is the best month to motorcycle the Blue Ridge Parkway?
The Blue Ridge Parkway spans from Virginia to North Carolina. Despite the relatively mild colder months, the best time to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway is from spring to autumn. Roads are not maintained in the winter, so it's a good idea to check ahead of time for road closure information.
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Where Can I Find the Best Motorcycle Routes Near Me in North Carolina?
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Motorcycle Rides Near Me in North Carolina
Please note: Any routes and recommendations are based solely on our opinions and are meant for informational purposes only. To use information contained on this site is to do so at your own risk. GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is not responsible for the information contained in these pages. We assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. You are responsible for your decisions, your actions, and your safety.