Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – Short and Sweet
Great Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina – short and sweet map shows a collection of roads in close to Waynesville and Maggie Valley so you’re never far from home
Not every great motorcycle ride in North Carolina has to be an epic adventure. Sometimes you just want a nice, easy, short cruise to add at the end of a day or squeeze in once a shower passes.
If you’re in Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, out at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, or anywhere else in the vicinity, here’s a collection of roads that not only keep you close in to town, but are excellent motorcycle rides and scenic to boot. You don’t have to go far to find a great motorcycle ride in the Smoky Mountains.
Best motorcycle rides in North Carolina – Ratcliff Cove view – Not only are these roads twisty and fun, they have wonderful views along the ride
Start at Highway 23 / 74 Exit 104 at Junaluska. Follow 4 lane US 23 (Asheville Highway) into Waynesvillle, then exit town on US 276. Follow Raccon Road to Ratcliff Cove Road then on to Stamey Cove Road. Follow NC 215 through Canton to Thickety Road. Take Hyder Mountain Road to NC 209 and return to start.
33 miles – 1 1/2 Hours – an Easy Ride
Route:
Start at Exit 104 Highway 23 / 74 at Junaluska.
Turn right @ traffic light towards Waynesville. Continue through traffic circle.
2.7 mi Continue straight @ traffic light onto Walnut Street. Junction US 23 and Walnut Street.
3.1 mi Turn left @ traffic light onto US 276 (Russ Avenue). Junction Walnut Street and US 276 (Russ Avenue). Head downtown.
3.3 mi Turn Right @traffic light. Junction US 276 (Russ Ave) and US 23 (Main Street). Pass through Waynesville.
3.7 mi Turn left @ traffic light onto US 276. Junction Main Street and US 276 south.
5.5 mi Turn left @ junction with Raccoon Road.
6.9 mi Turn right @ junction with Ratcliff Cove Road.
10.4 mi Turn right @ stop sign onto Stamey Cove Road. Junction Ratcliff Cove Road / Poison Cove Road / Stamey Cove Road)..
13.8 mi Turn left @ stop sign onto NC 215 towards Canton. Junction Stamey Cove Road and NC 215.
15.9 mi Turn left @ traffic light onto US 19 in Canton. Junction NC 215 and US 19.
16.5 mi Turn right @ traffic light onto NC 215. Junction US 19 and NC 215.
17.3 mi Turn left @ traffic light onto Champion Drive. Junction NC 215 and Champion Drive.
18.1 mi Turn left @ traffic light onto Thickety Road. Junction NC 215 and Thickety Road.
18.8 mi Turn left @ stop sign to continue on Thickety Road. Junction Thickety Road and Crabtree Mountain Road.
23.4 mi Continue straight onto Hyder Mountain Road. Junction Charles Street in Clyde. Thickety Road becomes Hyder Mountain Road..
25.4 mi Turn right @ stop sign to continue on Hyder Mountain Road.
28 mi Turn left @ stop sign onto Big Branch Road. Junction Hyder Mountain Road and Big Branch Road.
28.2 mi Turn right @ stop sign onto Golf Course Dr. Junction Big Branch Road and Golf Course Dr..
28.4 mi Turn left @ stop sign onto NC 209.
33.2 mi Follow NC 209 to return to start.