North Carolina Bicycling Highways

To highlight the unlimited cycling opportunities that North Carolina offers, the Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation designated a cross-state system of Bicycling Highways. These routes generally parallel the major highways along which cyclists often wish to travel, but offer a more lightly traveled alternative than the busy, major roads that are familiar to most people.

Nine different routes covering 3,000 miles of the best North Carolina has to offer comprise the current system. Each route is described in a printed guide, which includes a series of segment maps with accompanying narrative that provides information on terrain, road conditions, services, and points of interest. A campground directory is included with each route packet. These maps are free of charge but we encourage you to order just the ones that you need, as supplies are limited.

This sample map shows the format of the maps and the type of information included. [click image to enlarge]

Highlights of each route are detailed below. Click on the route name or map to link to the on-line order form.

	A. Mountains to Sea—NC Bike Route 2 From Murphy in the mountains to Manteo on the coast, this 700-mile route traverses the state from west to east. On the way, you'll pass the loftiest peaks east of the Mississippi, traverse portions of the Blue Ridge Parkway, then drop 2,000 feet from the Blue Ridge escarpment to the rolling foothills of the Piedmont. Quiet rural lanes take you through lush farm country to most of the major cities in the state. Once past Raleigh, the flat land of the coastal plain makes the ride to the coast seem easy. Several miles from the end of the route, you have the choice of taking the ferry to Ocracoke and the Outer Banks or continuing to Manteo. Either way, wide Atlantic beaches are your reward at the end of the trip.
	B. Piedmont Spur—NC Bike Route 6 Use this 200-mile route as a southern alternate to the Piedmont portion of the Mountains to Sea route or combine the two to create a Piedmont Loop, a perfect 7- to 10-day trip. Abundant recreational opportunities exist at places like Lake Norman, Morrow Mountain State Park, the Uwharrie National Forest and the North Carolina Zoological Park. Other points of interest along the route include the Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site and the Seagrove Potters Museum.
	C. Carolina Connection—US Bike Route 1 Designated as a portion of US Bike Route 1, which runs from Maine to Florida, this route covers almost 200 miles of rolling terrain north-south through central North Carolina. San-Lee Park, Umstead State Park, and Kerr Lake State Recreation Area lie along this route, providing an opportunity to incorporate activities such as swimming, fishing, hiking, and nature study into the trip. Other points of interest include the Indian Museum of the Carolinas, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site, and the numerous historic sites and museums of the Raleigh/Capital City area.
	D. Ports of Call—NC Bike Route 3 DBPT Temporarily Halts Distribution of “Ports of Call” Bicycling Highways Map click here for more information North Carolina's coast is long and varied, with two major sounds—the Pamlico and the Albemarle—and a series of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks. The 300-mile route from South Carolina to Virginia takes you to all the major ports of the colonial era—Southport, Wilmington, New Bern, Bath, and Edenton. Take the time to relax on the wide, sandy beaches, explore the charming historic towns, and enjoy the excellent seafood. Other points of interest along this route include Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Carolina Beach State Park, the Croatan National Forest Recreation Areas, Tryon Palace, Goose Creek State Park and Merchants Millpond State Park.
	E. Cape Fear Run—NC Bike Route 5 This 160-mile route roughly parallels the course of the Cape Fear River through the southeast coastal plain to the sea. Rolling hills soon give way to flat land in the swamps and Carolina bays typical of this region of the state. Notable points of interest include Jones Lake State Park, Moore's Creek National Military Park, the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial, Brunswick Town State Historic Site, Carolina Beach State Park, and Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
	F. Ocracoke Option—NC Bike Route 7 From its western terminus along the Mountains to Sea Route near Wilson, this 170-mile route winds its way through the coastal plain to the Cedar Island Ferry over to Ocracoke. Along the way, points of interest such as Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, the New Bern and Beaufort historic districts, and the Cedar Island Wildlife Refuge provide a glimpse of the natural and cultural diversity of the state.
	G. North Line Trace—NC Bike Route 4 Running east-west just south of the Virginia border all the way from the mountains to the coast, this 400-mile route gives you access to six state parks and several other recreation areas. You'll be able to explore areas such as Stone Mountain, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Parks, Hyco Reservoir, Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston Recreation Areas, Merchants Millpond State Park, and the Dismal Swamp and Currituck Sound areas. Campgrounds are spaced up to 75 miles apart and motels are scarce, so be prepared for some long days.
	H. Southern Highlands—NC Bike Route 8 This 120-mile route begins with an exhilarating 15-mile plunge down the Blue Ridge escarpment—a drop of 2,400 feet— followed 25 miles later by another 1,000 foot drop down the 4-mile Saluda grade. Waterfalls, trout streams, hiking trails and idyllic picnic spots abound. Take time to explore the charming mountain towns of Brevard, Saluda, Flat Rock, and Tryon. Or stop at one of the many points of interest along the way—the Cradle of Forestry, Sliding Rock, Davidson River Recreation Area, the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site, Flatrock Playhouse, and Holmes Educational State Forest. Leaving the highlands behind, the remainder of the route rolls through the foothills past dense forests and settled farmlands to join the Piedmont Spur Route near Lincolnton.
	I. Sandhills Sector From the Pee Dee River to the Cape Fear, this route traverses 125 miles of Sandhills terrain. Rolling hills rise from 500 to 700 feet above sea level and longleaf pine forests line the quiet roads through this region. Major points of interest include the Uwharrie National Forest, Town Creek Indian Mound, and Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve.