NORTH CAROLINA MOTORCYCLE RIDES
The Best Roads Are Here
What Are The Best Motorcycle Rides In North Carolina?
- Cherohala Skyway (27 miles)
- Blue Ridge Parkway (NC, 205 miles)
- Copperhead Loop (75 miles)
- Shiner's Run (33 miles)
- Wild Dam Waterfall Loop (80 miles)
- Newfound Gap Rd (35 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!
Join Us On YouTube!
Check out our 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. Join our 33K subscribers on YouTube!
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)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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.
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
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)
CLICK FOR MAP LINK
Looking for more?
Join us on Patreon to unlock these bonus features and more:
- maps showing where routes are located in the state
- GPX files for navigation
- additional NC motorcycle routes
- exclusive video content
Any bloggers or website articles that would like to use these routes, please feel free. We only ask that you link to this page as a reference.
Thank you!
- GreatMotorcycleRoads.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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!
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?
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 Deals Gap, the world famous road does have an official speed limit of 30 miles per hour. TN and NC Patrol units routinely patrol Deals Gap.
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.
Where Can I Find the Best Motorcycle Routes Near Me in North Carolina?
GreatMotorcycleRoads.com is the place to find the best motorcycle rides near me in North Carolina. Discover great motorcycle roads in states near North and South Carolina with our route descriptions and Google Maps links!
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.