In Transylvania County, at the intersection with US-64 near Rosman, this road cuts through a path originally placed by the Gloucester Lumber Company, following the path of the North Fork of the French Broad River to its headwaters. Between US-64 and intersection of Macedonia Church Road, the highway has seven miles of narrow, winding, hairpin turns that are mostly surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest. In some areas the road is all that separates small mountain cliffs and steep ravines below the roadway. Within this seven mile stretch, the highway climbs 700 feet in elevation from 2,200 feet in elevation in Rosman, NC to 2,900 feet at the unincorporated community of Balsam Grove. This route is characterized as having a dense leafy canopy for much of the way during the summer season. Northward beyond Macedonia Church Road, the highway has broader shoulders and has entered Balsam Grove, and serves as the primary route in and out of the area. There is a solitary gas station in this area that serves as the only stop along the route until reaching Jackson County. After passing through Balsam Grove, the road returns into Pisgah National Forest, climbing rapidly for another 7 miles through the Pinhook Valley, peaking at the intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway at 5,300 feet. This section of the road climbs 2,400 feet in 7 miles. Along the way, you will find several spots to pull over to the side of the road to take a break from the curves, allow faster traffic to move on, or to provide relief for a carsick passenger.
History
The highway defines the boundaries of the Shining Rock and Middle Prong wildernesses: Shining Rock lying to the east, and Middle Prong to the west. The right-of-way for the highway is all that separates the two for several miles, and several hiking trails start along parking areas on this road or on spur roads connecting to it. Several waterfalls along the West Fork or its tributaries can be seen from the road itself, especially during the winter after rainfall. Some can be accessed by hiking trails, but others are very remote making hiking to them difficult even though they can clearly be seen from the highway. This section of road is popular with tourists and with motorcyclists due to its curvy nature. NC 215 was built on the right of way of two logging railroads.
Future
plans to modernize a section of NC 215 between US 276 to SR 1926. The project includes widening lanes to from the current and paved shoulders. At an estimated cost of $13.8 million, it is currently unfunded.
