Haywood Co.: Crosses the Trans/Haywood county line at Wagon Road Gap, at the crest of the Pisgah Ridge, elevation 4524. Intersects the BRP at milepost 413. Descends the Pisgah Ridge along the East Fork of the Pigeon River; flattens out approaching Bethel. Runs through Waynesville and near Lake Junaluska, and finally, along Jonathan Creek before hitting I-40. 

Where it ascends and descends the Pisgah Ridge, U.S. 276 runs through the Pisgah National Forest.

Around 1939, 276 was extended northward from Brevard to Waynesville. For a mile or so east of downtown Brevard it was signed along U.S. 64.  Farther east, 276 superseded N.C. 280 to the modern 64/276/280 junction. (280 in this area ran along what is now part of both 64 and 276. But it was not part of 64 at that time.) From that point north through the forest, 276 superseded N.C. 284. See Map #1 at right. 

The stretch of 276 from the modern 64 junction to the Blue Ridge Parkway was part of the older Pisgah Motor Road, which continued east toward Mt. Pisgah before descending the Pisgah Ridge down today's N.C. 151. 

For a few years in the early 1950s, 276 used a slightly different routing just south of the entrance to the Pisgah National Forest. From the modern 64/276 junction, official maps show 276 running due south over modern Ecusta Road and Vanderbilt Road (SR 1512), then west over Everett Road (SR 1145) before resuming its familiar course towards Brevard. See Map #2. The familiar 276 between Brevard and the forest was probably part of 280 during this time. By 1955, 276 was restored to its former, and present, alignment. 

For many years, 276 ended in the center of Waynesville, at today's Business U.S. 23 (that era's U.S. 19A/23; see Map #1). Around 1959, 276 was extended about three miles north of Waynesville, superseding N.C. 284 (again) to end at U.S. 19. 

By 1968, the four-lane road north to I-40 was finished, and U.S. 276 was signed along U.S. 19 and over the new road, replacing, you guessed it, N.C. 284. For a few years 276 and 19 served as a "Temporary I-40" between the Great Smokies segment and Clyde (exits 20 to 27; see Map #3). Portions of 40 east and west of those areas were finished first, strange as it may seem.

U.S. 276 is easily the most interesting of any of the 76s, especially if you throw in the portion in South Carolina that ascends the Saludas. This stretch is very twisty; it's a great nighttime drive because it's impossible to outdrive your headlights, and S.C. is very liberal with embedded pavement reflectors. 276 in S.C. was, in fact, named a co-winner on Car and Driver's "Ten Best Roads of the Southeast" list[1].  

Further north, the Brevard-to-Bethel stretch is just as good. It is quite twisty up and down the Pisgah Ridge, although all attractions along the route -- there are several nearby hiking trails and waterfalls -- may make for slow travel during peak tourist season. Still, 276 is no Newfound Gap Road; it's far less well known. Many of 276's bridges in the Looking Glass Falls area are quite old and picturesque.  

It's possible to see several miles' worth of 276 from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once you cross west of 276 on the Parkway, look south. The road is about the only sign of civilization you'll see. 

In a region packed with great touring roads, 276 stands out well. 
 

Looking Glass Falls

Sign on U.S. 276