Moonshiner 28 (NC-28)

North Carolina Highway 28 — nicknamed Moonshiner 28 for its history as a bootlegger escape route — runs 81 miles from Deals Gap south through the Nantahala National Forest to the Georgia state line, serving as one of the most varied and atmospheric motorcycle roads in the Southeast. Departing the Tail of the Dragon's southern terminus, it immediately dives into deep forest and curves around the southern shore of Fontana Lake before threading through the Little Tennessee River valley and the Cullasaja River Gorge, where Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Cullasaja Falls all drop from roadside cliffs. The road is longer and more leisurely than the Dragon, blending tight river-hugging curves with open valley stretches, and sees a fraction of the Dragon's weekend crowds. The Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and Fontana Byway both overlap the route, and a stop at the top of Fontana Dam is a standard mid-ride punctuation.