Day 4 Roundtrip Great Smoky Mountains The Tail of the Dragon north to south and Cherohala Skyway
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 12-02-2021
Route Summary America is pre-eminently a country to explore on a motorcycle. There are many travel organizations that offer organized tours, but the charm is also to map out routes and drive on your own.
Good motorbike rental companies can be found throughout the country and the bikes are often of the latest model and well maintained.
We drive on the beautiful roads in the states of Nashville and North Carolina and this area is characterized by the beautiful idyllic landscape with provincial two-lane roads that wind through the landscape with many curves, you can visit beautiful towns, villages and places of interest.
Be careful though, because the roads are sometimes of very poor quality and hardly or not lit up in the dark.
For each route there is a more detailed description in the review.
The route is suitable for TomTom, Garmin, Harley-Davidson BoomBox 2 (2019 model) and MyRoute-app Navigation.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 5m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
365.54 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review This is a day with many beautiful winding roads including the world-famous Tail of the Dragon (U129) an 11-mile (17.7 km) road with 318 turns! We drove south to north on day 3 and today we drive north to south.
We also drive the Cherohala Skyway in the opposite direction as on day 2 and even though they are the same roads, when you drive them in the other direction it is yet again a new and wonderful experience.
After approximately 25 kilometers you will arrive at Nantahala Outdoor Center and River's End Restaurant (RP2) in Bryson City. Here you can (for the enthusiasts) participate in outdoor activities such as, mountain bike, rafting, canoeing, Zipline or hiking on the Apalachian Trail. There are also lodges and some shops and a restaurant. It is located on the Nantahala River.
From Bryson City we continue through the Nantahal Forrest to Topton. A beautiful dual carriageway through the forests and mountains of North Carolina. At Topton we turn right and continue on the 129 a beautiful winding mountain road to Robbinsville, where you can stop at RP4 to take a break and have something to eat or drink at Lynn's Place, a favorite place among motorcyclists.
Lynn's Place is a soul food neighborhood restaurant that serves home-made American dishes, they have a great salad bar with freshly cut vegetables, seasonal fruit, steaks, hamburgers, delicious home-made desserts and much more! Everything is prepared to order to guarantee the highest quality. Experience a warm atmosphere with delicious food, southern culture and hospitality where family and friends can sit back, relax and feel at home.
After a short or slightly longer break we drive further west, at RP7 the Cherohala Skyway begins, one of the famous scenic Skyways that is rich in America and crosses this road through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forrest, hence the name "Chero ... hala ". The Skyway is becoming increasingly well-known in motorbike and sports car circles because of its long, exciting curves, beautiful views and cool summer breezes. This enthusiast's dream connects Robbinsville, North Carolina with Tellico Plains, Tennessee.
After 65 kilometers enjoying the succession of turns, we turn left on the River Road, which runs along the banks of the Tellico River, to the Bald River Falls (RP9), this is a waterfall of about 90 meters and is one of the most spectacular in this area.
We continue on the narrow and winding River Road and Bald River Road through the forests of Tennessee to Tellico Plains. Shortly before this small town at RP11 is a Harley-Davidson Dealer, a grill restaurant, Iron Works Grille and the beautiful old covered Telliquah Bridge. An ideal place to stop and stretch your legs. This is also almost the end of the beautiful Cherohala Skyway that ends just before Tellico Plains, here we turn right and take the TN-360 towards Vonore (RP17). In Vonore we can stop for a cup of coffee at Hardee's and if necessary to refuel.
We drive a short distance on the highway to cross the Tellico River and then turn right on the TN72 to continue to the Tail of the Dragon, but first we stop at RP19 Smoky Mountain Harley Dealership for a T-Shirt or other scoring a souvenir from The Dragon.
At RP20 the time has come for "The North Entrance" of the world famous Tail of the Dragon, an 11 mile (17.7 km) road with 318 turns! This road is a pleasure for motorcyclists. Note that it can also be busy with cars and other motorcyclists, so watch out for oncoming traffic. There is a catch-up ban and you are not allowed to drive on the other side of the road, checks are often made and the fines are substantial. More information about this great road can be found in the link at the bottom of this review.
En route on the Tail you should definitely stop at RP21 where you have a beautiful view of Calderwood Lake and the Dam of the same name in the distance. At RP23 we have come to the end of the Tail and here you can stop at the souvenir shop, restaurant, nice big statue of a dragon and not to mention the Tree of Shame that is full of engine parts of riders who have underestimated this road.
The last 50 kilometers to the resort run along the Cheoah River and Lake Santeetlah. At RP24 you can stop to take a photo of the Cheoah dam, where you can also take a good look when we drive RP25 for a long time. Via Robbinsville we drive back to the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Resort where we can share our experiences with other Bikers while enjoying a drink and a good plate of food.
This day was again worth 5 ***** stars. Riding a motorbike in the Great Smoky Mountains is a true pleasure. The roads and panoramas are beautiful and there are plenty of other sights or activities along the route to stop for.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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Tennessee
About this region
Tennessee, officially the State of Tennessee, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th largest by area and the 16th most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the southwest, and Missouri to the northwest. Tennessee is geographically, culturally, and legally divided into three Grand Divisions of East, Middle, and West Tennessee. Nashville is the state's capital and largest city, and anchors its largest metropolitan area. Tennessee's population as of the 2020 United States census is approximately 6.9 million.Tennessee is rooted in the Watauga Association, a 1772 frontier pact generally regarded as the first constitutional government west of the Appalachian Mountains. Its name is derived from "Tanasi", a Cherokee town in the eastern part of the state that existed before the first European American settlement. Tennessee was initially part of North Carolina, and later the Southwest Territory, before its admission to the Union as the 16th state on June 1, 1796. It earned the nickname "The Volunteer State" early in its history due to a strong tradition of military service. A slave state until the American Civil War, Tennessee was politically divided, with its western and middle parts supporting the Confederacy and the eastern region harboring pro-Union sentiment. As a result, Tennessee was the last state to secede and the first readmitted to the Union after the war.During the 20th century, Tennessee transitioned from a predominantly agrarian society to a more diversified economy. This was aided in part by massive federal investment in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the city of Oak Ridge, which was established during World War II to house the Manhattan Project's uranium enrichment facilities for the construction of the world's first atomic bombs. These were dropped on Imperial Japan at the end of the war. After the war, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory became a key center of scientific research. In 2016, the element tennessine was named for the state, largely in recognition of the roles played by Oak Ridge, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Tennessee in its discovery. Tennessee has also played a major role in the development of many forms of popular music, including country, blues, rock and roll, soul, and gospel.
Tennessee has diverse terrain and landforms, and from east to west, contains a mix of cultural features characteristic of Appalachia, the Upland South, and the Deep South. The Blue Ridge Mountains along the eastern border reach some of the highest elevations in eastern North America, and the Cumberland Plateau contains many scenic valleys and waterfalls. The central part of the state is marked by cavernous bedrock and irregular rolling hills, and level, fertile plains define West Tennessee. The state is twice bisected by the Tennessee River, and the Mississippi River forms its western border. Its economy is dominated by the health care, music, finance, automotive, chemical, electronics, and tourism sectors, and cattle, soybeans, corn, poultry, and cotton are its primary agricultural products. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, is in eastern Tennessee.
Read more on Wikipedia
Tennessee has diverse terrain and landforms, and from east to west, contains a mix of cultural features characteristic of Appalachia, the Upland South, and the Deep South. The Blue Ridge Mountains along the eastern border reach some of the highest elevations in eastern North America, and the Cumberland Plateau contains many scenic valleys and waterfalls. The central part of the state is marked by cavernous bedrock and irregular rolling hills, and level, fertile plains define West Tennessee. The state is twice bisected by the Tennessee River, and the Mississippi River forms its western border. Its economy is dominated by the health care, music, finance, automotive, chemical, electronics, and tourism sectors, and cattle, soybeans, corn, poultry, and cotton are its primary agricultural products. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, is in eastern Tennessee.
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Route Collections in this region The Original Southern Dozen Motorcycle Rides in Tennessee Virginia and North Carolina
The Southern Dozen; hit the throttle and hold on tight!
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.
Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.
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The 10 most downloaded routes in the USA from RouteXpert Hans van de Ven
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in USA.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
View Route Collection