NC 226 begins at
US 29, in Grover, approximately from the
South Carolina state line. Through downtown Grover, it goes northwesterly, through
Patterson Springs, to Shelby. In concurrency with
US 74, it stays south of the downtown area, then splits with US 74 continuing north to
Metcalf, where it becomes the
South Mountain Scenery scenic byway. The byway, which stretches along NC 226 to Marion, is designated for its extensive views of the South Mountains. Traversing through this rural area of farmlands and forest, NC 226 goes the through
Campcall and
Polkville before leaving
Cleveland County, uneventful through
Rutherford County, and crosses over
US 64 on one of the earliest grade separated interchanges in the state before reaching the
Dysartsville community in
McDowell County. Soon after crossing under
I-40 (exit 86), NC 226 begins its concurrency with
US 221 bypassing west of downtown Marion on a four lane divided freeway. At the
US 70 intersection, travelers can follow highway signs to
Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the
Mississippi River. In Woodlawn, NC 226 splits from US 221, which continues towards
Linville. A from the intersection, in Turkey Cove, NC 226 breaks-off the first of two alternate routes; NC 226A travels the historic Etchoe Pass Road, as it climbs, with several
hairpin turns, up
Grassy Mountain to Little Switzerland. The routing NC 226 takes, along Cox Creek, is shorter and less curvy than the alternate route, but it has a steep grade which require
trucks to stay slow when they descend; one
runaway truck ramp and several turn-offs are along this stretch. At
Gillespie Gap, the alternate route rejoins NC 226. As it crosses under the
Blue Ridge Parkway, it also crosses the
Eastern Continental Divide and the county line into
Mitchell. North from the Gillespie Gap, NC 226 goes through the
Grassy Creek community before entering Spruce Pine. After a short concurrency with
US 19E, it continues northwesterly towards Bakersville, passing by and through the communities of
Minpro,
Penland,
Normanville and
Ledger. Near Bakersville, the second alternate route breaks-off; NC 226A, along Mine Creek Road, provides a bypass route instead of going through downtown area, reconnecting at
Loafers Glory. In Bakersville, NC 226 connects with
NC 261, which continues to
Roan Mountain. West of Bakersville, NC 226 connects with
NC 197, in
Red Hill, then goes north to
Honeycutt. Following along Big Rock Creek to
Buladean, it then goes northwesterly alongside Spring Creek before ascending
Iron Mountain. At
Iron Mountain Gap (), NC 226 crosses the
Appalachian Trail as it enters
Tennessee and continues as
SR 107 towards
Erwin. == History ==