Hot Springs NC 209

Located just west of Asheville is NC 209, a typical twisting western North Carolina byway. The rural setting clustered between mountains  makes for a scenic way to spend the day. This two-lane blacktop (excuse me for dropping the name of one of my favorite movies) has a little bit of everything when it comes to backwoods highways. There's a section of super tight twisties, a section of sweepers, a valley of straights, and then some gnarly turns back into the heights; and finally the Town of Hot Springs.

This touring route is not the Tail of the Dragon, but it is an interesting trip and the heated springs are inviting when you reach Hot Springs. This destination attracts a variety of tourism ranging from motorcycle riders, to Appalachian Trail hikers, to kayakers. There are also some really good gravel Forest Service roads for dual-sporters and 4-wheeling.