Leaving jersey next sat for a week in the smokey mts , is there any locals that can tell me if the leaves are changing ? Where is the highest point with a view of the mts? looking for non tourist towns or areas to ride to , this is our 2nd trip and have done the dragon , skyway ,etc. looking for where the locals ride and maybe wheels of time in maggie . thanks in advance dan

 

Leaves are starting to change right now in the lower Smokies. The tourists won't be here in big numbers for another week or so.

 

the tourists will be there in great #'s in mid oct.

 

I was just up on the parkway for 3 Days, the color is just starting to turn at the higher points.

 

I lived in NC up until last summer and know the area fairly well. Like what the others said, the tourists won't be heading in until around mid October. Other than that nothing is really what I would consider touristy down there.

First of all, what part of the Smokey's are you staying in?

If you have the time ride Moonshiners 28 into Highlands, NC, do it! That's a gorgeous ride with a lot of great scenery.....water falls and lakes etc. Parts of it are a bit challenging but not quite to the degree as the Dragon....but you still have to use caution in some areas. It's a fun road to ride. Just take 28 south from Deals Gap, then 64 east into Highlands, NC. Highlands is a good place to grab lunch and hang out for a bit. That first leg will be about 75 miles. After that hop on 106 west, which turns into 246, then take 23 north to 64 west, then merge right onto Wayah Rd. Take Wayah Rd to 74 and make a left, then shortly after that a right onto 129 north back into Deals Gap to complete your loop. About 160 miles total. it's a great day trip....about 4 hours of riding.

Maggie Valley is nice too, and Wheels Through Time is nice to see. If you're more in that area take a look at heading to Chimney Rock/Lake Lure, it's about 80 miles NE of Maggie Valley. Lot's of locals ride there and there plenty of restaurants there too. Make sure to go on top of Chimney Rock. If you do this visit Flat Rock, NC too. It's about 20 miles SW of Chimney Rock. It nice little town.

Good luck and enjoy.





Highlands, NC



Highlands, NC



Chimney Rock



Lake Lure

 

I would love to ride there in Oct. Rode there last year in July. I wouldn't even mind being called a tourist.

 

As a rule of thumb