Sunset Biking Adventure on Paddy's Creek Road: Gateway to Linville Gorge and Shortoff Mountain

West of Morganton, where gravel roads wind toward the ancient Blue Ridge, lies an evening cyclist’s dream: Paddy’s Creek Road. As the sun dips behind the bald granite crown of Shortoff Mountain, the entire Linville Gorge seems to glow with a rugged invitation.

I set out from rural Nebo, North Carolina, pedals humming over the first crunch of granite pebbles. The air is perfumed with summer grass and distant creek water. With each pedal stroke, the hiss of gravel blends with birdsong—a rhythm that feels as timeless as the ridges themselves. Paddy’s Creek Road here is no paved city loop but a living corridor into Western North Carolina’s rawest wilds. The landscape stretches wide: green meadows, tangled woodland edges, and, framed perfectly ahead, the stony outline of Shortoff Mountain rising like a giant’s table. This is the southeastern entrance to Pisgah National Forest, and the edge of one of the state’s grandest gorges.

Adventure options abound. The main draw is cycling—mountain or gravel biking—across undulating backroads. The route is approachable yet delivers enough loose rock and rolling grades to keep both novices and veterans engaged. Bring a hardtail (or a sturdy gravel bike); tubeless tires pay off on sharper outcrops. Evening rides are magical, but mornings stir with mist and echo the calls of barred owls and wild turkeys.

For hikers, access to the Linville Gorge Wilderness simply begs you to stash your bike and head up a trail. Less than three miles away, the Shortoff Mountain Trailhead offers an ascent leading to panoramic summit views—perfect for a picnic, a sunrise, or spotting soaring hawks riding thermal currents. The Pine Gap, Wolf Pit, and Table Rock trails are all within easy reach by bike, and there’s ample room on the roadside for parking or locking up.

This area isn’t just about sweat and speed. Bring binoculars and pause for deer, groundhogs, and an impressive variety of migratory birds. If water calls, Paddy’s Creek has fishing access close by, and nearby Lake James offers swimming or paddling. Fall brings festivals of changing leaves and crisp, cloudless air. Spring lets you witness wildflowers explode beneath blossoming dogwoods. Winter is especially quiet—the roads are nearly your own, but prepare for possible frost and shorter daylight.

Camping is a time-honored tradition here. Primitive roadside sites dot Pisgah National Forest, but you’ll find more developed options at Lake James State Park. Consider a long weekend: pedal by day, relax by crackling firelight by night, waking to mountain fog crawling over the pasture.

Paddy’s Creek Road and its network of trails and byways are classic North Carolina—historic, grand in scale, yet welcoming to every outdoor enthusiast. Whether you’re pushing your limits on two wheels, hiking up to wild overlooks, or just breathing in the slow sunset, this corner of Burke County is a must-ride (and must-return) adventure at the doorstep of Linville Gorge.