Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.37 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.37
53 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Feb 28, 2009

Rider Reviews

No Image Found
Guest
July 21, 2009
Found this one by accident when Blueridge was…
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
May 29, 2014
RIDERS BEWARE: just north of the Mt Mitchell Golf…
Thumbsup

Written Directions

Start this motorcycle ride in a town called Pleasant Gardens, NC which is about 30 mi east of Asheville off US Highway 70. Head north out of Pleasant Gardens on NC 80 and just stay on NC 80 as it crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway and continue north all the way up to US Highway 19 in the town of Micaville, NC.

Scenery

Climbs 2500' in elevation. Crosses Blue Ridge Parkway east of Mt Mitchell. Beautiful lake on south end and great views of Mt Mitchell at Mt Mitchell golf course.



Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09: "A switchback just before the Blue Ridge Parkway." Update provided by CptUSA on 6/25/12: The scenery is beautiful and unimpeded by commercialism. Once past the final residences there is nothing but road road and road.

Drive Enjoyment

Good road condition. More curves and elevation changes than the Dragon's tail with a lot less traffic also. Several switchbacks. Not for the novice rider. Update provided by CptUSA on 6/25/12: The road is on a steep incline providing a whole new set of challenges. Asphalt is is good condition with only normal brush and gravel from time to time. Light traffic, nasty switchbacks, and towards the top there is a virtual slalom of quick tight turns.

Tourism Opportunities

Not much here but a great ride. Get on Blue Ridge up to Mt Mitchell. Stop at golf course for something to drink. Fill up before you go. Update provided by CptUSA on 6/25/12: There is nothing on this road but road. Amenities are in Marion at the entrance or in Burnsville many miles beyond the BRP.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Update provided by CptUSA on 6/25/12: https://www.thedevilnc80.com/ This gives pictures and descriptions as well. I am not affiliated with the site but having ridden the road dozens of times, I felt it needed its own listing here. - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

Top Images

Share Your Comments ( 53 )
  Earn McR Points
Absentminded_Adjunct
May 15, 2016
3 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
A challenging but rewarding ascent into the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, beginning in the small town of Marion NC. The climbing section is a good mix of sweepers and switchbacks with a few brilliant essess thrown in for good measure. The more challenging bits lie beyond the BRP entrance, but most riders do not follow the road the rest of the way out. Not much for roadside stops after you leave Marion until you get to Burnsville or Spruce Pine if you take the Parkway over. The road is becoming much more popular each year so traffic can be heavy at times. Best times to ride are in the early morning before the crowd starts to build. A couple of camp sites are along the straight sections about 1/3 of the way up, so be alert for campers and RVs.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful
Elasticboy
August 20, 2020
16 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
A very nice ride down from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Micaville. Some tight twisties and pastoral scenery. I recommend an additional leg north on Double Island Rd from Micaville to 197 as well. This is rugged, fairly remote mountain country that often runs parallel to streams and rivers.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful
stevescherrer
August 20, 2021
127 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
sweet
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
0 riders found this road review useful