9 North Carolina Backroads Locals Take When They Want Total Silence And Scenery
North Carolina holds some of the most peaceful roads in the South, where the noise of daily life fades into the background.
Locals know exactly where to go when they need a break from the crowds and crave stunning views without the distraction.
These hidden backroads wind through mountains, valleys, and forests, offering scenery that feels almost untouched.
Pack your car, roll down the windows, and discover the quiet beauty that makes this state unforgettable.
1. US 64 / NC 69 (Highlands To Clayton)
Starting in the artsy mountain town of Highlands, this route drops you through some of the most dramatic elevation changes in the state.
Waterfalls tumble alongside the pavement, including several you can reach with just a short walk.
The road twists and turns through tunnels of rhododendron and hemlock that create a cool, green canopy overhead.
As you descend toward Clayton, the landscape shifts from high-altitude forests to rolling piedmont countryside.
Small farms appear, their pastures dotted with grazing cattle and red barns that look like postcards.
Traffic remains light most days, giving you the freedom to drive at your own contemplative pace.
Stop at roadside fruit stands in summer for fresh peaches and homemade preserves.
The locals who run these stands always have stories to share if you’re in the mood.
This drive feels like traveling backward through time to a simpler, quieter era.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Grandfather Mountain Section)
Grandfather Mountain stands tall along this stretch, creating one of the most breathtaking drives you’ll ever experience.
The road curves gently through elevation changes that reveal layer after layer of misty blue peaks stretching toward the horizon.
Every turn brings a new perspective, whether it’s wildflowers in spring or fiery leaves in fall.
Wildlife sightings happen often here—deer, wild turkeys, and even black bears make appearances if you’re patient.
The Linn Cove Viaduct alone is worth the trip, a engineering marvel that hugs the mountain without disturbing the landscape.
Pull over at overlooks to breathe in cool mountain air and listen to nothing but wind rustling through ancient trees.
Early mornings offer the best silence, before tour buses arrive.
Locals come here to reset their minds and reconnect with nature’s rhythm.
The solitude feels sacred, almost spiritual in its completeness.
3. NC 226A (Little Switzerland To Marion)
Little Switzerland sits perched at the edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment, and this road takes you on a thrilling descent into the foothills below.
Switchbacks and hairpin curves demand your attention, but the views between them steal your breath completely.
Vast valleys open up beneath you, painted in shades of green that seem impossible in their richness.
Roadside pullouts let you stop and absorb the magnitude of the landscape without rushing.
Hawks circle on thermal currents below eye level, a reminder of just how high you’re starting from.
The temperature drops noticeably as you climb back up, making summer drives particularly refreshing.
Local motorcyclists love this route for its technical challenge and scenic rewards.
But even in a car, the experience feels adventurous and rewarding.
The silence between curves is profound, broken only by your engine and the occasional bird call echoing through the mountains.
4. NC 197 (Mars Hill To Bakersville)
Mars Hill College anchors one end of this peaceful journey, while the mining heritage town of Bakersville waits at the other.
Between them stretches a road that feels forgotten by time, passing through communities where front porches still serve as the evening’s entertainment.
Old barns lean at gravity-defying angles, their weathered wood telling stories of decades past.
Mountain views frame the road from both sides, creating a valley corridor that feels protective and intimate.
Local farmers wave from tractors, and roadside vegetable stands operate on the honor system with coffee cans for payment.
The pace of life here moves differently, slower and more deliberate.
Creek crossings happen frequently, their clear water tumbling over smooth rocks worn by centuries of flow.
Pull over at one of the small bridges to dip your feet in ice-cold mountain water.
This route teaches you that silence isn’t just the absence of noise—it’s the presence of peace.
5. NC 209 (Pisgah Backcountry Scenic Byway)
Deep in Pisgah National Forest, this designated scenic byway follows the French Broad River through some of the most remote terrain in the state.
Cell service disappears almost immediately, forcing you to disconnect and simply exist in the moment.
Massive hemlocks and poplars tower overhead, their trunks so wide you couldn’t wrap your arms around them.
The river provides constant companionship, sometimes rushing over boulders, other times flowing smooth and glassy.
Trailheads appear regularly for those wanting to stretch their legs and explore deeper into the wilderness.
But even from your car, the solitude feels complete and restorative.
Wildlife thrives in this protected corridor—salamanders, wild trout, and elusive bobcats call this forest home.
Local fly fishermen guard their favorite spots jealously, but they’ll nod respectfully if you pass them on the road.
The silence here has weight and substance, filling your chest with something that feels like gratitude.
6. NC 28 (Franklin To Highlands)
Cullasaja Gorge defines this drive, with the river carving a deep channel through ancient rock formations.
Multiple waterfalls cascade directly beside the road, including Bridal Veil Falls where you used to be able to drive behind the water itself.
The sound of rushing water becomes your soundtrack, drowning out every worry and distraction.
Tight curves keep your speed reasonable, which is exactly right for absorbing the beauty surrounding you.
Moss-covered rocks glisten with spray, and ferns grow in impossible crevices where sunlight barely reaches.
The road climbs steadily, gaining over two thousand feet in elevation as you approach Highlands.
Locals know to drive this route after heavy rains when the waterfalls swell to their most impressive volumes.
But even during dry spells, the gorge maintains its dramatic character.
The combination of water, stone, and forest creates a sensory experience that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
7. Old NC 105 (Linville Gorge Area)
Linville Gorge earned the nickname Grand Canyon of the East for good reason, and this old highway skirts its eastern rim through largely undeveloped territory.
The newer highway carries most traffic, leaving this original route blissfully empty most days.
Pavement quality varies, adding to the backroad character and slowing you down to truly notice your surroundings.
Rock climbers head to the gorge for challenging routes, but you can enjoy the vertical drama from numerous overlooks without leaving your vehicle.
The Linville River cuts through the gorge floor far below, visible only in glimpses through the dense forest.
Ravens soar on updrafts, their calls echoing off cliff faces.
Autumn transforms this area into a painter’s palette of reds, oranges, and golds that seem almost artificial in their intensity.
Local photographers arrive before dawn to catch the mist rising from the gorge.
The silence here feels ancient and powerful, as if the mountains themselves are holding their breath.
8. NC 268 (Deep Gap To West Jefferson)
Christmas tree farms blanket the hillsides along this route, their perfectly aligned rows creating geometric patterns across the landscape.
Deep Gap serves as the starting point, where the road opens into a wide valley surrounded by gentle peaks.
The scale feels more intimate here than in the higher mountains, almost like the land is inviting you in rather than challenging you.
West Jefferson has become a hub for artists and murals, but the drive between the towns remains refreshingly undeveloped.
Old farmhouses with metal roofs dot the fields, and cattle graze peacefully behind weathered fences.
The absence of billboards and commercial development lets the natural beauty speak for itself.
Spring brings a subtle magic when the tree farms show new growth in bright green tips.
Local families have tended these farms for generations, their dedication visible in the careful maintenance.
The quiet here isn’t dramatic—it’s gentle and steady, like a reliable friend who doesn’t need to fill every moment with conversation.
9. US 421 (Boone To Wilkesboro)
Starting in the college town of Boone, this highway descends through some of the most dramatic elevation changes in the region.
The road earned a reputation among truckers for its steep grades and sharp curves, but modern improvements have made it safer while maintaining its character.
Overlooks provide chances to pause and appreciate how far you’ve climbed or descended.
Forests transition as you drop in elevation, from high-altitude spruce-fir to oak-hickory hardwoods.
Each ecological zone supports different wildlife, making every mile feel like a new chapter.
Small communities appear intermittently, their churches and general stores serving as social centers for scattered rural populations.
Wilkesboro waits at the bottom, a town with deep roots in stock car racing history.
But the journey matters more than the destination on this route.
The silence between towns feels earned, a reward for leaving the interstate behind and choosing the road less traveled by visitors rushing through the mountains.