VAT,
There are tons of great roads in the area you are headed to. If you're going to be leaving Alabama from the Little River Canyon area, you could work your way over to Summerville, GA and in to Calhoun, GA. From Calhoun, you can get on GA 53 East and take it to Jasper, GA. In Jasper, turn north onto Hwy 515 and take it to Ellijay, GA and on into Blue Ridge. Once in Blue Ridge, take a left onto GA 5 (at the McDonalds). Take this road to McCaysville. At the three way stop in McCaysville, take a left on you're in TN. Take 68 north to Tellico Plains - you'll love 68. In Tellico Plains you can get onto the Cherohala Skyway (as others have mentioned). In Tellico, here are a few places to check out:
For lunch:
http://tellico-grains-bakery.com/
For moto stuff:
http://www.tellicomoto.com/
Here are some pics of me and some buddies on the Cherohala Skyway:
Once you get over the Cherohala Skyway, you can make your way up to Deal's Gap and ride the Dragon's Tail - start at the store and ride it up and then return to the store - that's what I usually do. Once you get back to the store (Deal's Gap), you'll want to take NC Hwy 28 south (as clint64 mentioned). It's really fun - probably the best around. Also, off of Hwy 28 is Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge:
http://www.ironhorsenc.com/
They have camping there, showers (with soap and shampoo dispensers in them). They also serve meals, but check their meal schedule.
Here are some pics of Iron Horse:
Now, Hwy 28 south will take you to Hwy 74. From 74, you can launch in a variety of directions. If you take a left, off 28 and onto 74, this will take you toward Bryson City - you will eventually see signs to Cherokee, NC. Right near Cherokee (actually right by it), you can pick up the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
If however, you come to the end of Hwy 28 south and take a right on 74, this will take you through the Nantahala Gorge - this a great road, but it can be very busy with rafting buses. As you work your way through the gorge you will eventually come to Wayah Road on your left. I really love this road - it's beautiful and part of it runs along a great trout stream. Off of Wayah Rd is a dirt road called Rainbow Springs Road. I love this one too. Did I say there were tons of great roads around here? Rainbow Springs Road has at least one good waterfall.
Here are a few pics of Rainbow Springs Rd:
Rainbow Springs Rd will take to Hwy 64. Take a left, east I believe, toward Franklin, NC. There, you can AGAIN, pick up NC 28, this time north and take it to Hwy 74 (essentially making a circle from where you departed off of Hwy 28 South) look at a map and it'll make sense.
Now, if you don't take Rainbow Springs Rd and remain on Wayah Rd, at the top, you can take a left and go to Wayah Bald. It's dirt and takes you to the top of the mountain, which has an overlook - it's worth the trip - but you'll have to return the same way (it's short) back down to the pavement.
This is the top of Wayah Rd (in winter, so the Wayah Bald dirt rd was closed):
This is a handsome feller:
Now, right behind where I'm standing, I believe the Appalachian Trial crosses, but double check that.
Once back down to the pavement, take a left back onto Wayah Rd to the end. At the end, you'll come to a store called Loafer's Glory. Here's what it looks like:
Take a right at the store and it'll take you out to Hwy 64. Take a left onto 64 and that'll take you to Franklin, NC.
Hope this helps.
