A lot of people come to the Gap via the Blue Ridge Parkway. While the parkway is a nice cruising road, it isn't all that twisted. It was built as a make work project back in the '30s. A lot of earth was moved to build it. It does cross some great twisted roads though.

226A and 226 form a loop at Little Switzerland. Try the loop. If you like it, do laps. A poem about 226A.

A little further west on the parkway you will come to 80. Take it south to the lake, then turn around and head back to the parkway.

US 221 between Blowing Rock and Linville runs parallel to the parkway.

151 is a great road for about 4 miles. Follow it to the bottom of the mountain, then turn around and go back to the parkway. Make sure you don't confuse it with 191.

US276 and NC215 offer more diversion from the parkway. 276 is a good road, but tends to have a lot of traffic. 215 is just a great road. Both roads continue south of the parkway to US 64.

74a and NC9 are both good roads going over to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock.