Ancient and weathered it stands like a sentinel at the gates of another realm. Seen from the foothills of the piedmont, the Blue Ridge Escarpment rises suddenly to divide the land, allowing passage through only a handful of mountain roads.
Savvy motorcyclists gather along these roads to experience the sudden 2,000-plus climb over the Eastern Continental Divide into Western North Carolina. Some of the roads take riders past popular attractions, some just snake through a lonesome, rocky forest.
Forming an arc about 30-to-40 miles from Asheville, the 2,000-foot escarpment’s crescent-shaped wall of mountains offers motorcyclists an abundance of natural wonders and an amazing day of riding as they stitch their way up and down what the Cherokee called “The Blue Wall.”
Caesar’s Head, elevation 3,215 and just 15 miles southeast of Brevard on U.S. 276, attracts motorcyclists who stop at the popular destination to enjoy 180-degree views of Table Rock and much of Upstate South Carolina.
Riders also flock to the state park after a spirited run up 276, with its sharp switchbacks and steep elevation changes. An uplift from plate tectonics formed the impressive wall of mountains millions of years ago, and they were much higher than they are today, geologists theorize.
Walking out onto the stone cliff-face overlook, a panoramic vista of Upstate South Carolina unrolls before you. A steady breeze eases the summer heat as even the wind must bend for the rugged escarpment.
As visitors grapple with which direction to admire first, a bird of prey silently turns lazy circles in the hollow just to the west. Catching the wind, the hawk takes just a few seconds to effortlessly soar over the distance that a hard-riding motorcycle group just covered amid a roar of pipes and occasional scraped peg.
Several roads ascend the southern portion of the escarpment, attracting riders from both Carolinas. Some provide more technical switchbacks, some a leisurely cruise but all offer stunning natural beauty and the kind of riding that makes motorcycling such a transcendent experience.
It’s possible to tour them all in one day, but there’s no need to rush. With several nearby towns for lodging, riders can spend a weekend exploring the natural wonders and scenic roads that make the Blue Ridge so special.
