Best Motorcycle Rides, NC – Wayah Road
Best Motorcycle Rides In NC – winding up Wayah Road from the Nantahala Gorge.
30 mile long Wayah Road connects US 64 near Franklin, NC to US 74 in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge near Topton, NC. It’s a useful and strategic road to know of as it’s the only one that cuts through this rugged section of high mountains and national forest and it points to the Dragon at Deals Gap. While the ride lacks panoramic long range mountain views, there is plenty of scenery along the whitewater river. Clear and sparkling alpine Nantahala Lake is a treat near the top.
Best Motorcycle Rides, NC – Wayah Road – section from Map #7. Only main roads shown. Other great rides near here.
The climb out of the depths of Nantahala Gorge is steep and twisty right from the start by the powerhouse. 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. You may run into fishermen along the lower stretch, otherwise there’s little traffic.
Best Motorcycle Rides, NC – Wayah Road – The ride along the river on Wayah Road is spectacular!
When you reach 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 clear deep lake, then climbs a bit more to reach the gentle run across the high stretches of Wayah Bald. This last short climb has some very tight turns and is notorious for gravel drawn into the road from unpaved driveways. There is a small restaurant on the lake and a few places to pull off for a break or photo.
Best Motorcycle Rides, NC – Wayah Road – Picnic lunch at alpine Nantahala Lake
There’s a steep plunge down the eastern slopes with some true hairpin curves. You emerge in a tight valley that grows wider as you approach Franklin. The east end of Wayah Road is marked by ‘Loafer’s Glory” country store and gas station (click her for Yelp review). Wayah Road ends when it reaches Old Murphy Road. Four lane US 64 is half a mile south on Old Murphy Road or you can follow Old Murphy Road about 5 miles in to downtown Franklin.
Best Motorcycle Rides, NC – Wayah Road. The curves at the top of the climb are some of the most severe and the most fun. Be alert for gravel in these turns.
Wayah Road is a classic so you’ll find it on the “12 Classic Deals Gap Motorcycle Rides” pocket map from America Rides Maps. Do yourself a favor and look at Map #7 if you are coming to ride in this area. “The Best Roads South of Great Smoky Mountains National Park” covers this are in detail. I’ve only hinted at the many nice rides near Franklin with the snippet of map I’ve shown.
Get The most detailed Maps Here – America Rides Maps
If you enjoy photos of motorcycle riding in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, like MY BLUE RIDGE MOTORCYCLING FACEBOOK PAGE.
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Wayne Busch
– Wayne Busch lives in Waynesville, NC, where he produces the most detailed and comprehensive and up-to-date motorcycle pocket maps of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains to help you get the most of your vacation experience. See them here – AmericaRidesMaps.com
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Thanks Wayne for all the time you put into the maps and the pictures of the Smokey Mountains areas…I usually camp at River Valley Campground and Ride the area. I bought the complete maps of the area and last summer I used them to venture out farther and will be staying in the West smoke’s area by the Dragon!
There’s a lot more to that area than most people realize even though a lot ride through.
We rode here yesterday (06 April 2014) after visiting Wheels Through Time. There was a lot of gravel, but we may have seen four cars in fifty miles. There was a lot of gravel in the switchbacks, but this may have been the most scenic drive we’ve taken so far.
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