Whitewater Falls & Lake Toxaway Pass (NC-281)
Ascends through the dramatic Jocassee Gorges escarpment, passing Upper Whitewater Falls (the highest waterfall east of the Rockies at 411 feet). Features tight, twisting mountain road geometry with minimal commercial traffic, connecting Lake Toxaway to Tuckasegee.
Join free with 1-tap Google or Apple login to bookmark this route across your devices.
Save Route (Free)Certified Motorcycle Repair
Rider-Friendly Lodging
'The Museum That Runs'—world-renowned living shrine housing over 375 ultra-rare historic American motorcycles (Harley-Davidson, Indian, Flying Merkel, Crocker, Henderson). Curated by the late Dale Walksler, docents routinely fire up century-old board track racers right on the museum floor, filling the timber hall with raw horsepower and castor oil.
Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
How many curves and miles is Whitewater Falls & Lake Toxaway Pass (NC-281)? ▼
Whitewater Falls & Lake Toxaway Pass (NC-281) spans 29 miles and packs approximately 175 curves (6.0 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 1,850 ft - 3,620 ft (Jocassee Gorges Escarpment) and technical rating 8/10.
Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼
The route starts at SC State Line / Lake Jocassee Gorges, NC (Latitude 35.0118, Longitude -83.0189) and finishes at Tuckasegee / NC-107, NC (Latitude 35.2638, Longitude -83.1362).
How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼
Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.