This ~120 mile route begins northwest of Brevard with a 15-mile downhill from its connection with NC 2 Mountains to Sea on the Blue Ridge Parkwaw, passing through small mountain towns such as Brevard, Saluda, Flat Rock, and Tryon. It traverses the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains southeast toward the South Carolina border before turning northeast through Forest City and finishing at its intersection with the NC 6 Piedmont Spur in Lincolnton.
