Thunder Road - Wayah Road - SR1310 - Nantahala Lake Road

Lots of names, one great road.

Tucked into the western corner of North Carolina, close to the Tennessee boarder, you will find some of the best motorcycle roads in the nation.  Thunder Road is one of them. This road is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and gets light traffic, despite the fact that it offers views of the Nantahala Gorge, Nantahala Lake, Wayah Bald, and a number of mountain streams and waterfalls. 

Located close to the Dragon (Deals Gap) and Cherohala Skyway, all 28 miles of this winding, twisting road will keep you smiling.  Wayah road runs from the Nantahala River rafting put-in, over the mountain into Franklin.  Catch this road on US19 just a few miles north of the US129/19 intersection. The road runs along the Nantahala River and climbs to Nantahala Lake. You will experience great curves here as you cross the river several times. Beware of gravel in the corners all along this road. Wayah Road is rather flat, but still twisting as you circle the lake. It then begins the final climb to Wayah Bald. (There is a well groomed gravel side road that will take you to the tower on Wayah Bald, if you are looking for a side trip.) Downhill is the best part of this ride. You will experience about 4 miles of real steep, tight corners and one switchback after another. After that the road levels out and comes to the intersection at Murphy Road. Keep an eye out for deer along this section.  If you want to make a loop take a left turn on Murphy Road and cruise the back streets into downtown Franklin. Catch SR28 (also known as Hellbender28) north and it will bring you back to US19. Hellbender is also a great road that "Has it all". It is scenic, with sweeping turns and twisties. It flows along Fontana Lake for a beautiful ride."

For a map of Wayah Road and down loadable GPS coordinates check out Sunday morning rides.

Resources: Western North Carolina Attractions

Leah Lind