Tail of the Dragon to Walhalla SC

Moonshiner 28 is fast becoming one of the great must-do roads of western North Carolina. Everyone has heard of the Tail of the Dragon and now there is another comparable road that is less crowded and offers even more to see for the two-lane tourist.

UPDATE: The pavement on the section between US19/74 and Franklin was redone in 2018. No more heaves, potholes and cracked pavement.

Stretching from US 129 at the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, Moonshiner 28 winds its way southeastward 103 miles through Franklin and Highlands North Carolina before turning southward into Georgia and South Carolina ending at the sleepy town of Walhalla.

Once one of the major runs for moonshiners with revenuers hot on their bumper, the road today boasts some great twisties, wide sweepers and unsurpassed scenery. Mountain vistas, waterfalls and secluded lakes appear around nearly every corner. You can find good food, accommodations of every type and unique shops with unusual antiques and crafts created by mountain artisans.

Spend a day or a week exploring this Smoky Mountain Country. It doesn’t matter if you are motorcycling, driving a sports car or bringing the family van. And visit the nearby legal moonshine distilleries in Gatlinburg TN, Greenville SC and Asheville NC.

Bridal Veil Falls in 1940s winter. Note car is travelling under the falls before the road was relocated.
These were the days before they ever thought of closing a highway for winter conditions. Moonshiner 28 at its best.

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