This weeks Cruising the Carolinas installment is nice short loop from Asheville to Bat Cave and then to Black Mountain.  This was a trip that was featured last year and was so popular we decided to showcase it again.

Begin by taking US-74 in Asheville and take it east towards Fairview and Bat Cave.   Once you get out of the citys vicinity, the landscape will begin to open up into nice fields and forests as you head towards the Hickory Nut Gorge.  After passing through the community of Fairview, you will begin to ascend up into the mountains.  The road is curvy but nothing too difficult for those going the speed limit cant handle.  Eventually you will head into Bat Cave where you will turn left onto NC-9.

Once on NC-9, you will head towards Black Mountain on a road which is comprised of mostly gentle curves making its way along the ridges of the surrounding mountains.  However once you begin to reach Black Mountain, you will have to descend off the mountains into the valley belowwhich means you will begin to encounter a few sharp switchbacks.  Be careful as you make you way down the road as a few of these are pretty tight turns.

Once in Black Mountain, you can either take I-40 back to Asheville or continue on NC-9 until you intersect with US-70 in downtown Black Mountain.  Turn left onto US-70 and take that back to Asheville, going through the towns of Swannanoa and Oteen.

• Be sure to obey all traffic patterns and speed limits.

• This course is fairly easy to drive, however going into and out of the mountains requires driving several switchbackssome of which can be a little sharp.

• Be sure to check out what the towns of Bat Cave, Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, and Black Mountain have to offer the casual traveler.