How long has it been since your last mountain ride? Whether you’re fresh off a tour or itching to get back on the saddle—you’re long overdue. So, pack your gear and head to the NC Smokies of Haywood County for the finest riding in the Southeast. From hair-raising mountain curves to mellow country roads, your quest for motorcycle utopia is over.
Looking for waterfalls? We got it. Mountain scenery? Check. Countryside? Got plenty of that, too.
But most of all, we’ve got the curves. Broad, sweeping curves. Tight, hairpin curves. Gentle, serpentine curves. Cliff-hugging switchbacks. We’ve got hundreds, maybe thousands of ‘em, with routes to suit every skill level.
Motorcycle touring is all about the open road. The sense of adventure for what’s around the next curve, the rush of mountain ridges unfurling as you climb higher, the feeling of freedom as you ride the swells and dips of the Appalachian countryside.
To help you map out your ideal two-wheeled escape, the travel team at Visit NC Smokies compiled a “best-of” selection of mountain rides with a home base of Haywood County.
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We’ve highlighted a dozen routes that run the gamut, from lazy afternoon excursions to all-day journeys to the back-of-beyond. While every biker knows the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway—which we proudly claim as our own backyard—it’s worth broadening your horizons here with our own custom creation, The Copperhead Loop, or the infamous Rattler which boasts 290 curves in 24 miles.
There’s another big reason Haywood County has racked up accolades as the ultimate motorcycle destination: our friendly people. Bikers like you value the human experience. It’s more than just a ride, it’s about the people you meet along the way, from other bikers to diner waitresses to roadside produce peddlers.
To experience our friendly local flavor, stop into a rural country store during your ride, like Ferguson’s General Store in Fines Creek, Sorrells General Store in Jonathan Creek, Bethel Grocery, or Harley Creek General Store in Cruso.
A must-see on every biker’s bucket list, Dale’s Wheels Through Time this all-American motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley has seen visitors from all 50 states and more than 50 countries since opening. True to its moniker of “the museum that runs,” its rare collection of more than 300 vintage and antique motorcycles have been restored to working condition, garnering national attention.
Suit up—it’s never too late to create your motorcycle touring adventure in the North Carolina Smoky Mountains of Haywood County. With so many loops and routes to choose from, we know landing on just a few can be tough. Swing by our Visitor Center or give us a call at 828-944-0761 for a free route guide—we’re here to help!
