Overall Route Rating
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4.5 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.5
29 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Apr 30, 2000

Rider Reviews

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Orange-GTO
2 McR Points
October 30, 2013
We did the portion of this route known as the…
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Guest
June 3, 2013
What a Great road! We were visiting the Blue…
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Written Directions

I usually start my ride out of Marion, NC off of hwy 70. Head west out of Marion and grab hwy 80 going north all the way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head north/east on the Blue Ridge Parkway to hwy 226a (Little Switzerland). Head south on 226a until it intersects with 226 and head back north on 226 back up to the parkway. North on the parkway to 221 and where you want to get on 221 heading south and back down to hwy 70/Marion. To get to the suggested starting point in Marion, from Charlotte head north on I-77 to I-40 west. from Ashville, NC take I-40 east into Marion.

Scenery

If you dare to take your eyes off the road you will see some of NC's awesome mountain scenery. Photo contributed by visitor in Jun 09 - "Taken above the "Cradle of Forestry". Take the Parkway West towards Mt. Pisgah; its the last overlook before you come to highway 276 (which takes you to Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls and the Cradle of Forestry). Its a beautiful ride, not too difficult."

Drive Enjoyment

There are some steep drops and lots of tight curves. Hwy 80 can be "interesting" if you encounter a log truck. Traffic is generally light and only locals. 80 is on the narrow side, and has a significant grade. Usually the pavement is in decent to good shape (new blacktop summer of 2001). Curves are banked just right. 226a, 226, and 221 are generally a little more traveled by those dreaded 4 wheel cages but also a lot of fun.

Tourism Opportunities

There are several food and fuel establishments in Marion, NC including an ice cream shop at the intersection 80 and 70. Little Switzerland also has food and lodging. There is a country store at the bottom of 226A that serves burgers and dogs and fuel. There are also several food establishments along the parkway in various locations.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Visit North Carolina web site.
 

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Share Your Comments ( 29 )
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ThomSS
June 2, 2020
3633 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Slingshot
Rode this back in July/2019. Fun ride, we had a little more traffic on 226 than we expected. Have no doubt weekdays are the time to go. If I recall 80 had a few rough spots here and there. Little Switzerland was cool, didn't eat, just stopped in to check it out and buy a couple t-shirts. Scenery is nice I'm sure, but need to keep eyes on the road and stay focused.
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Hardrider
June 16, 2020
92 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Good road! Lots of fun to be had with all the twisties. Use extreme caution when stopping. Roads and parking areas are often on such slopes that your leg is not long enough on one side. Saw 5 riders stop and drop while eating in Little Switzerland. Do not recommend for the novice rider.
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Mark B.
July 20, 2020
262 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Another great WNC ride. NC 80 is full of blind corners and steep, no-shoulder drop offs. Stay focused on your path of travel or pay the stupid tax. Some of the reviews talk about 276 and the Cradle of Forestry. Those areas are more than 60 miles from this loop by Marion. It's easy to get NC roads confused because there are so many options, but Beginner Beware is closer to the High Country region of Western North Carolina.
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