Best Motorcycle Rides in North Carolina

Oct 4, 2025

North Carolina has a way of pulling riders in, with routes that stretch through mountains, forests, and along the coast. Lots of travelers plan entire trips around exploring North Carolina motorcycle roads, and for good reason. If you’ve been thinking about adding the state to your bucket list, you’ll quickly see that some of the most great motorcycle rides in North Carolina are also among the best in the country. Below, we’ll walk through the routes that deserve a spot on your map.

Planning a motorcycle trip in North Carolina? Book a guided tour in NC through Riders Share and experience the state’s best rides without the stress of planning.

We’ll Cover the Following Motorcycle Rides in NC:

1. Blue Ridge Parkway
2. Tail of the Dragon (US 129) 
3. The Rattler (NC 209) 
4. Cherohala Skyway (NC/TN) 
5. NC 28 / Moonshiner 28 + Wayah Road 
6. Outer Banks Scenic Coastal Ride (NC Highway 12) 
7. Diamondback 226

Blue Ridge Parkway

Start: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC

End: Mountains-to-Sea Trail Entrance, Asheville, NC

Distance: 80 miles

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for more than 450 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, but the section that begins in Cherokee is often considered the heart of the ride. Built in the 1930s as part of a New Deal project, the Parkway was designed as a “scenic highway” and still has no billboards, stoplights, or commercial traffic. It feels untouched compared to other highways, which is why so many riders deem it a must-do North Carolina motorcycle ride.

On this 80 mile run to Asheville, you’ll find overlooks with names you’ll remember: Doubletop, Roy Taylor Forest, Looking Glass Rock. The Looking Glass Rock formation itself is one of the most photographed spots in Pisgah National Forest, especially when it catches the light after a rain. A short trail at Skinny Dip Falls gives you the chance to step off the bike and take in one of the Parkway’s hidden gems. And the tunnels? There are 26 total in North Carolina, more than anywhere else on the Parkway, and a couple of them are packed into this stretch alone.

The road is smooth and easygoing, but the elevation shifts mean temperatures can drop quickly, especially near Pisgah Ridge where the parkway climbs above 5,000 feet. Spring brings wildflowers, summer offers cooler mountain air, and October is the busiest time of year when fall colors peak. Services are limited (no gas stations and no restaurants) so fuel up in Cherokee or Asheville and plan your stops around the overlooks and trailheads.

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The Tail of the Dragon (US 129)

Start: Tail of the Dragon Statue

End: State Hwy 115, Tallassee, TN

Distance: 11 miles

The Tail of the Dragon is short, but it has a reputation that reaches far beyond North Carolina. Running just 11 miles along US 129 from Deals Gap into Tennessee, this stretch packs in 318 curves with almost no breaks. That’s why so many riders treat it as a rite of passage when checking off famous North Carolina motorcycle rides.

What makes the Dragon stand out isn’t just the constant turns, but the way the road winds tightly through the Great Smoky Mountains with no crossroads, no driveways, and nothing to distract you except the ride itself. At the Robbinsville end you’ll find the iconic dragon statue, a popular photo stop, and just down the road is the Tree of Shame, covered in broken bike parts left behind by riders who pushed too hard.

This road demands focus. It’s paved well and maintained, but the curves are relentless, and traffic can be heavy with both motorcycles and sports cars trying to test their limits. Weekday mornings are the best time to ride if you want lighter crowds. Fall brings some color to the trees, but most riders come here for the challenge itself rather than the views. Take it at your own pace, pull over if you need to, and you’ll understand why the Tail of the Dragon has become one of the most famous rides in the country.

The Rattler Loop (NC 209)

Start/End: Hot Springs, NC

Distance: 145 miles

The Rattler begins in Hot Springs, a mountain town named for the natural mineral springs that have drawn visitors for generations. From there, NC 209 heads south through rolling farmland before climbing into the curves that make this route a favorite.

The full loop covers about 145 miles and brings plenty of variety. Maggie Valley is a popular midway stop with restaurants and the well-known Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. A little further on, the Blue Ridge Parkway leads you to Waterrock Knob, one of its highest overlooks with wide views across the Smokies. Lake Junaluska offers a quieter stretch before the road carries you back toward Hot Springs. 

Compared to the Tail of the Dragon, the Rattler feels less crowded but still gives you plenty to work with. It’s curvy enough to be fun, not so technical that it feels like work, and the scenery keeps changing so it never gets dull. By the time you find yourself back in Hot Springs, you’ll be ready to grab a bite, top off the tank, and call it a full day well spent.

Cherohala Skyway (NC/TN)

Start: Deyton Camp Rd, NC

End: Tellico Plains, TN

Distance: 51 miles

Riding the Cherohala Skyway feels different from the moment you’re on it. It doesn’t throw anything at you too fast, but it keeps you moving through long, steady climbs and drops that follow the shape of the mountains instead of cutting through them. You’ll start just west of Robbinsville, then head northwest on NC-143 toward the Tennessee line, where the road becomes TN-165. The transition is subtle, but the scenery shifts as you cross into Cherokee National Forest. From there, the route gradually leads you into the quiet town of Tellico Plains.

Most of this 50-mile stretch is smooth and flowing, with just enough elevation to keep things interesting. The higher you go, the cooler the air gets, and views open up without warning. Some overlooks are signed, others are tucked just off the road. There’s no pressure to rush, which is probably why so many riders describe this one as a breath of fresh air. It’s calm without being boring, and scenic without feeling overdone.

There’s no gas until you reach either end, and cell service cuts in and out, so this is one of those routes where it helps to be prepared. Fill up before you leave and give yourself time to stop at a few pull-offs along the way.

Moonshiner 28 & Wayah Road Loop

Start/End: Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, Robbinsville, NC

Distance: 134 miles

Moonshiner 28 has a history that goes back to the days of prohibition, when its back roads were used to run illegal liquor through the mountains. Today, it’s one of the most talked about motorcycle roads in North Carolina, stretching south from Deals Gap before linking with smaller highways and eventually looping back on Wayah Road.

This ride gives you a little of everything. NC 28 drops you into long runs of twisty pavement with river views and rolling mountains all around. By the time you reach Franklin, you’re right in the middle of a mountain town with plenty of spots to grab food or gas before turning onto Wayah Road. That section is quieter and narrower, taking you past the Nantahala River Launch Site, a popular put-in for rafters and kayakers, and climbing toward Lake Nantahala, which sits over 3,000 feet up. The road continues past secluded stretches of forest before reconnecting with NC 28 to carry you back toward Robbinsville.

What makes this loop stand out is the mix of cultural history and natural highlights. You get the outlaw past of Moonshiner 28, the mountain lakes and river scenes along Wayah Road, and the sense of riding through parts of North Carolina that still feel tucked away. It’s a loop that pairs well with the Tail of the Dragon nearby, but on its own it’s one of the most rewarding day rides you’ll find in the Smokies.

Diamondback 226 Loop

Start/End: Little Switzerland, NC

Distance: 16 miles

If you spend your time searching for curvy motorcycle roads near me or twisty motorcycle roads near me, this one’s for you. The Diamondback runs just 16 miles, but it squeezes in hundreds of sharp turns, tight switchbacks, and grades as steep as 12%. It’s short, but it demands focus the entire way.

Little Switzerland is the natural place to start and finish, with inns, cafés, and views that make it a favorite rider stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the loop you’ll pass Rocky Falls Retreat and drop toward Marion before circling back uphill. The climb into town is where the road shows its character, twisting through the forest until you’re back where you started.

This isn’t a road to take lightly, but that’s part of what makes it memorable. It’s one of those rides where you pull off your helmet at the end with a grin, knowing you just checked off one of North Carolina’s most intense short loops.

Outer Banks Scenic Coastal Ride (NC Highway 12)

Start: Corolla, NC

End: Ocracoke, NC

Distance: 121 miles + ferry ride

This one’s for riders who want the coast in full view and don’t mind hopping on a ferry to make a full day of it. Starting in Corolla, the road runs past the wild horses that still roam the dunes before carrying you south through Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. You’ll catch sight of the Wright Brothers Memorial, pass Jockey’s Ridge State Park with the tallest sand dunes on the East Coast, and eventually ride by Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, one of the most photographed landmarks in North Carolina.

What makes this trip stand out is that it doesn’t stop with the pavement. At Hatteras, you’ll roll right onto the ferry for the hour-long ride across to Ocracoke. The ferry is free, runs every day, and is big enough to take your bike with no problem. It’s a break in the middle of the ride where you can stretch, take photos of the sound, and get ready for the last leg.

Ocracoke feels like another world compared to the busier towns up north. The pace is slow, the streets are narrow, and the history goes back to Blackbeard himself. Between the lighthouse, the harbor, and the seafood spots scattered through the village, it’s the perfect way to wrap up a coastal ride. For riders who don’t mind planning around the ferry, NC 12 is one of those motorcycle roads in North Carolina that feels like a true bucket-list experience.

Discover North Carolina Motorcycle Tours with Riders Share

The rides we’ve shared above highlight some of the most popular motorcycle routes in North Carolina, and Riders Share gives you another way to enjoy them. Through our platform, local hosts offer guided tours that let you see the same well-loved NC motorcycle roads without having to figure out the details on your own. Instead of just following a map, you’ll ride alongside someone who knows the area and can show you the best views along the way. Book a guided tour through Riders Share today and make your North Carolina trip even more memorable.

Need a Ride? We’ve Got You Covered.

If reading about the best motorcycle rides in NC has you ready to hit the road, you can rent a bike right here on Riders Share. With motorcycle rentals available across the state, it’s easy to pick one that fits your trip and head out to explore the routes we’ve covered above.