I’m planning a ride from Augusta GA to Franklin NC probably the beginning of September and spend the weekend. My rout planner shows a little under 4 hours. I usually plan to stop every hour to hour and a half. I’m not going to try to just barrel on through. I don’t find that enjoyable.

I ride up and around Clark Hill / Lake Thurmond quite often. But anyway I’m not familiar with that area headed up to Franklin. I’ve only been up that way once but I was in a cage. Does anyone have any suggestions on places to stop and spend say 45 minutes to an hour sight seeing or whatever on a road break? Maybe any knock out Mom and Pop restaurants on the way?

Thanks

 

Consider using HDRIDEPLANNER to plan a route.
Then cross reference ground level view with Google Earth.

Both are FREE.

As a suggestion: about 180 miles/4 hours

Depart Augusta, Ga via Washington Rd/28

Later becoming 221/Savannah River Scenic Byway towards Anderson

Then continue to Walhalla (considered the start of Moonshiner 28).
Should be getting hungry...Good area to eat because next big town is expensive.
A Carolina Pizza company place is a simple but good place to eat pizza and is located on main street in Walhalla.

Continue the climb Up mountain via 28 (moonshiner 28) to Highlands. NC.

Highlands offers a nice break. Up scale mountain town (expensive).Park in street and walk around the town for 30 minutes.
If you have a lady passenger then it might be 45 minutes due to the many little shops.
Highlands is expensive so the pizza place earlier should keep you covered.
There is a Kilwins chocalate place in Highlands and the public restrooms are hidden by the umbrellas towards back of that open air eating area near Kilwins.
Again, the umbrellas will block your view of rest rooms.

Then continue Up mountain on 64 towards Franklin, Nc...You will pass the famous road side waterfall on right hand side. You can park, rest and admire.
Eat at Caffe REL french bistro in Franklin, NC that has very good food and is located in a gas station...yes it is oddly located/attached to a gas station.

The Hampton Inn located in Franklin has a Taco Bell you can walk to and the grocery store is walkable and has a very good eat-in deli area.
The Hampton Inn is well hidden up a hill so turn at Signal Light located at Grocery store. Some GPS units are unable to capture turn from main road.

A ride on Wayah road is nearby. If time is a concern then perhaps a partial ride on Wayah road just to Lakes End Grill located on Wayah Road and then head back home.
Eat out back on porch with view of the lake at Lakes End Grill...The place does not call your attention when riding Wayah road and a U-turn is difficult so plan ahead.
Again, plan ahead because it sneaks up on you. It does not look like much from the front but the lake view out back is nice.
Confirm that Lakes End Grill is open because their hours change during the year.
Wayah road is a hidden gem,

 

“Highlands offers a nice break. Up scale mountain town (expensive).Park in street and walk around the town for 30 minutes.
If you have a lady passenger then it might be 45 minutes due to the many little shops.
Highlands is expensive so the pizza place earlier should keep you covered.”
A while back as I was riding around that area, I didn’t know anything about Highlands. It was becoming real obvious however that things were changing. Fewer trailers perched on hillside lots with pickup trucks and more expensive gated entrances and Mercedes.
When I got to Henderson I noticed right away how friendly folks were. I had a police escort… all the way through town..🤪.
Beautiful area overall.. highly recommend. 👍

 

We like Highlands, NC a LOT. Very pricey so don't go there if you're seriously frugal. The elevation of the town is just over 4,000' so it runs cooler in summer than surrounding areas. Lots of shopping but best done with a partner. The Ugly Dog Cafe has a solid menu of great food and isn't terribly expensive. When you're done there head to Edelweiss Pastry Boutique and treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind pastry creation. Ignore the scandalous prices and just do it. The place makes things you'll never find elsewhere. Ride 64 through Cullasaja Gorge and check out the waterfalls. Or go east on 64 to Cashiers, then up 107 to Glenville Lake. Pine Creek Rd will take you back west to US 64 and then up to Franklin.

Did I mention Edelweiss?.....

 

Wow. Thanks for the info!

 

Between Highland and Franklin is several waterfalls, bridal falls that you used to be able to drive under, dry falls where you can walk underneath the falls then the Culasaja Gorge, great waterfall on the left with little parking on the left.
in Franklin theres a italian restaurant in the Hot Spot gas station, it's an amazing restaurant you would not expect in a gas station.
Caffe REL.

 

You might enjoy this:
http://www.blueridgemotorcycling.com...nteractive-map

Also "Hellbender"/"Moonshine" rte 28.
I prefer centering my trip near Bryson City. reasonable rates, and a assortment of restaurants to suit any taste, and nearby all of the "good" roads.
A couple of words of caution:
1) call ahead, Helene damage clean-up still in progress
2) avoid spending time on and of the "famous" roads on weekends, as there can be a LOT of traffic.

 

At last............someone who remembers that it was "Hellbender" 28! I feel old.

 

Thanks for the info. We are gonna ride up there early September. Just trying to get a good suitcase /tour bag for the Fatboy. Saddlebags are to small. I’ve got a luggage rack on order.

 

23 up through north GA is a lot of divided hwy and pretty easy. Lots of speed checkers!! 'Specially in towns

17 was a bit more intense..aka fun to me

Helen Ga is a little tour town one could walk around in and wast time and $$
I wanted to look at Tallulah falls but didn't get the chance

I enjoyed the north GA mts and will probably go back. Not as tall as NC, but pretty country.