If you’re planning a vacation to Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach, NC, you may want to schedule a few motorcycle excursions into your itinerary.
Wrightsville Beach is one of the South’s best beaches, offering sparkling waters and spacious sandy areas. However, traveling outside of this area into the greater North Carolina landscape can allow you to experience the beautiful scenery and historical attractions that make NC a popular travel destination.
Read on to learn the top motorcycle rides in Wilmington, NC, Wrightsville Beach, and the surrounding areas.
Fort Fisher to Carolina Beach
Wrightsville Beach is beautifully situated right on North Carolina’s Atlantic coast. If you’re looking for a route that takes you along the coast, we recommend traveling up US-421 from Fort Fisher to Carolina Beach Lake Park.
This short stretch along North Carolina’s coastline is just 4.3 miles, making it an easy there-and-back trip when you have some free time on your vacation. You’ll begin at Fort Fisher State Historic Site, which houses a Confederate fort from the Civil War. Then, you’ll travel north along US-421, which parallels the coastline.
Along this route, you’ll pass tiki bars, oceanfront hotels, lighthouses, beaches, and piers. This short drive will allow you to take in the sparkling North Carolina sunshine and taste the salty ocean breeze from your motorcycle.
Tail of the Dragon
If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the Tail of the Dragon. This route, also known as the Dragon at Deal’s Gap, is a bucket list ride for many motorcyclists across the country. One of the primary reasons is its challenging terrain.
Tail of the Dragon includes 318 curves in just 11 miles of roadway, offering a thrilling riding experience that allows bikers to test their skills. If you’re new to motorcycling, you may want to hold off on traversing this route until you have a few more years of experience under your belt.
However, if you’re up for the challenge, you can find this route near Tapoco, NC. This 11-mile ride actually ends in Tallahassee, TN, taking you slightly over the border. We recommend using a map or GPS to locate the exact starting point of the Tail of the Dragon.
As you navigate the twists and curves within the Tail of the Dragon, keep an eye out for the lush forests and mountain views along the way. Even though this route begins a bit outside of Wilmington, it’ll be worth the drive during your Wilmington or Wrightsville Beach vacation.
Cherohala Skyway
If you’re looking for more of a relaxed ride with stunning views, we recommend the Cherohala Skyway. This route is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway that spans from Robbinsville, NC, to Tellico Plains, TN.
The Discovery Channel named the Cherohala Skyway one of the top 10 motorcycle rides in North America. This byway offers breathtaking views of majestic mountain ranges, rushing waterfalls, and scenic overlooks.
Throughout the route, you’ll reach elevations of over 5,400 feet, allowing you to see stunning views below. Riders often refer to the skyway as Mile High Legend or a “drive among the clouds.
The Cherohala Skyway spans close to 41 miles and should take you about an hour to navigate on your bike. The route starts near the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, then ascends for fifteen miles up the ridge before descending the rest of the way. There aren’t many facilities along the skyway, so be sure to fuel up before starting. We recommend completing the Cherohala Skyway ride on your way in or out of Wilmington for your vacation.
Contact Law Tigers at 888-863-7216 if you need legal help after being injured in a motorcycle accident. We’re motorcycle riders who understand the law regarding motorcycle accidents. Keep our number on your phone contact list in case you need us anywhere in the USA.
