The Easy Waterfall Ride

Tour a dozen roadside waterfalls on this scenic day ride.

America.Rides.Maps

6 years ago

Map (52025)

Open Interactive Map

The Easy Waterfall Ride

This is a nice 165 mile loop ride that will take you to a dozen roadside waterfalls in a day. I suggest you run it counter-clockwise as the section between Franklin and Highlands can get busy later in the day and you'll get the 4 lane riding out of the way early. You'll ride some very curvy roads, hit some nice scenery, and take in one section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bring the camera!

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Distance: 165 miles

Ride Time: All day ride

Start: Maggie Valley

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Soco Falls

Ride: Maggie Valley to Franklin

•  Follow US 19 - Soco Road west and climb to Soco Gap. Pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway and start dropping from the heights on US 19 - Wolfetown Road. Ride through a long passing lane then hook around a curve. The unpaved parking area for Soco Falls is located on the next sharp turn.
   
• Leaving Soco Falls wind down to Cherokee on US 19 - Wolfetown Road.  When you get to Harrah's Cherokee Casino, turn left onto Casino Road to cut to US 441-S. Turn left onto US 441-S and follow to Exit 74 EAST onto US 74 / 441. Follow to Dillsboro Exit 81 south to Franklin. From Dillsboro, ride south 18 miles on US 23 / 441 - Sylva Road to NC 28 / US 64 - Highlands Road in Franklin.

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NC 28 / US 64 - Cullasaja Falls

Ride: Franklin to Brevard

•  NC 28 / US 64 - Highlands Road rolls out from Franklin along the Cullasja River through gentle country then quickly turns sharp when reaching the Cullasaja River Gorge. You'll encounter four nice roadside waterfalls as NC 28 twists into Highlands. Turn north on US 64 - Rosman Highway inHighlands and follow to Cashiers. You'll pass Toxaway Falls as the road continues to Rosman. US Highway 64 run seast from Rosman through buslting Brevard. Follow through to the intersection with US 276 - Pisgah Highway.

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Looking Glass Falls

Ride: Brevard to Maggie Valley

• US 276 - Pisgah Highway leads north along the Davidson River into a very popular area of thePisgah Forest. It's a pretty ride but expect congestion on nice weekends. Looking Glass Falls is the noteable attraction here, worth a stop for a closer look and a photo. Soon after you'll pass Sliding Rock. The road gently climbs higher and higher through pleasant twists. The higher you get the steeper the grade and the turnns grow progressively sharper. Arrive at the Blue Ridge Parkway junction at Wagon Road Gap at the top of the climb. The Cold Mountain Overlook is a good rest stop.
   
• Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway south towards Cherokee. You'll pass the Graveyard Feilds Overlook with it's large and busy parking area. Second Falls is located here. Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway atBeech Gap onto NC 215 - Lake Logan Road.
   
• NC 215 - Lake Logan Road drops from the Parkway passing Bubbling Springs Falls and then Sunburst Falls. It winds and twists down to Bethel where it meets US 276 - Pigeon Road.  US 276 - Pigeon Road takes you through Pigeon Gap into downtown Waynesville. Follow Main Street then US 276 - Russ Avenue to the junction with US 19. Follow US 19 - Dellwood Road back to Maggie Valley.

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NC 28 / US 64 - Bridal Veil Falls

List of waterfalls -

• Soco Falls
• Cullasja Falls
• Bust-Your-Butt-Falls (Quarry Falls)
• Dry Falls
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Sequoyah Falls
• Toxaway Falls
• Looking Glass Falls
• Sliding Rock
• Second Falls
• Upper Falls
• Bubbling Spring Falls
• Sunburst Falls

These and many other Great Roads are found on America Rides Maps -

• Map #6 - The Best Motorcycle Rides Near Smoky Mountains Park - EAST
• Map #7 - The Best Motorcycle Rides Near Smoky Park - SOUTH
• Map - 12 Classic Deals Gap Motorcycle Rides
• Map - 100 Great Motorcycle Rides in the Smoky Mountains
• Map OR2 - The Best Unpaved Roads SOUTH of Smoky Park