 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Click on image to view in larger size.
| The Dragon |
Need more info, try these Links
Tail of the Dragon.com: Shop, Dragon News, Maps,
and just about anything you can think of thats
Dragon related
and just about anything you can think of thats
Dragon related
Deal's Gap.com: This is the Motorcycle resort at the
start of the Dragon. They have store on site and
online. There site has lots of great Dragon info also.
start of the Dragon. They have store on site and
online. There site has lots of great Dragon info also.
Crossing Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Tail of the
Dragon is considered by many as one of the world's best motorcycling and
sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway adventure will enjoy
the Tail of the Dragon stretch of US 129.
Riders and drivers from all over the USA and many foreign countries come to
enjoy our many mountain roads. The Tail of the Dragon is usually the biggest
attraction for thill seekers. The eleven miles features 318 curves none of which
are the same. There are no buildings or driveways along the roadside, just the
Great Smoky Mountain National Forest on the north side and a large forested
area owned by Alcoa Aluminum on the south side.
The Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of
the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped in the movie The Fugitive. It ends
14 miles across the mountain at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee. US 129
climbs through The Slide, a steep series of "S" curves. The road then levels and
Dragon is considered by many as one of the world's best motorcycling and
sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway adventure will enjoy
the Tail of the Dragon stretch of US 129.
Riders and drivers from all over the USA and many foreign countries come to
enjoy our many mountain roads. The Tail of the Dragon is usually the biggest
attraction for thill seekers. The eleven miles features 318 curves none of which
are the same. There are no buildings or driveways along the roadside, just the
Great Smoky Mountain National Forest on the north side and a large forested
area owned by Alcoa Aluminum on the south side.
The Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of
the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped in the movie The Fugitive. It ends
14 miles across the mountain at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee. US 129
climbs through The Slide, a steep series of "S" curves. The road then levels and
straightens until a series of curves approaching Deals Gap and the Tennessee
State Line. We'll leave the next eleven miles and 318 curves for you to describe after you ride it.
Many just remember curve after curve after curve and surviving the run of their lives.
State Line. We'll leave the next eleven miles and 318 curves for you to describe after you ride it.
Many just remember curve after curve after curve and surviving the run of their lives.
FACTS ABOUT THE DRAGON
TOTAL DISTANCE:
Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - 11.1 miles
Tabcat Bridge to Hwy 28 - 11.8 miles
Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 14.0 miles
ELEVATION CHANGE:
Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - plus 1085 feet
Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - plus 321 feet
TOTAL DISTANCE:
Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - 11.1 miles
Tabcat Bridge to Hwy 28 - 11.8 miles
Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - 14.0 miles
ELEVATION CHANGE:
Tabcat Bridge to Deals Gap - plus 1085 feet
Tabcat Bridge to Fugitive Bridge - plus 321 feet
Although the Dragon is by far the Road that this area is known
for, there are many other roads that deserve a look at too. So here
is some info on the Dragon and more...........
for, there are many other roads that deserve a look at too. So here
is some info on the Dragon and more...........
| The Cherohala Skyway |
The road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name
"Chero...hala". The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sportscar circles for it's
long, sweeping corners and scenic views. The Cherohala is 36 miles long. The Cherohala Skyway is
21 miles long on the Tennessee side. It follows the Tellico River (elevation about 900 feet) for a few
miles before beginning its climb to the state line at over 4,000 feet. The Cherohala Skyway is only
15 miles long in North Carolina but the road reaches its highest point at the Santeetlah Overlook.
The elevation change is much more pronounced rising from 2,660 feet to 5,390 feet in just over 10
miles.
Caution: The Cherohala, with its sweeping curves, will tempt you to ride fast and one of the occassional tighter
curves can surprise you. There are more deaths on the Cherohala than on the Dragon. Many of the worst curves
have guardrailing that we guarantee you do not want to hit. Emergency help on the Cherohala can be 45 minutes
away and then a 30 minute helicopter transport. Please ride the Cherohala with extreme respect and use caution.
"Chero...hala". The Skyway is becoming well known in motorcycling and sportscar circles for it's
long, sweeping corners and scenic views. The Cherohala is 36 miles long. The Cherohala Skyway is
21 miles long on the Tennessee side. It follows the Tellico River (elevation about 900 feet) for a few
miles before beginning its climb to the state line at over 4,000 feet. The Cherohala Skyway is only
15 miles long in North Carolina but the road reaches its highest point at the Santeetlah Overlook.
The elevation change is much more pronounced rising from 2,660 feet to 5,390 feet in just over 10
miles.
Caution: The Cherohala, with its sweeping curves, will tempt you to ride fast and one of the occassional tighter
curves can surprise you. There are more deaths on the Cherohala than on the Dragon. Many of the worst curves
have guardrailing that we guarantee you do not want to hit. Emergency help on the Cherohala can be 45 minutes
away and then a 30 minute helicopter transport. Please ride the Cherohala with extreme respect and use caution.
| The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive |
The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina to Waynesboro,
Virginia. The Skyline drive is a additional 105 miles from Front Royal, Va to where it connects to
the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waynesboro, Va.. Click HERE for a Map
Virginia. The Skyline drive is a additional 105 miles from Front Royal, Va to where it connects to
the Blue Ridge Parkway at Waynesboro, Va.. Click HERE for a Map
Cherohala - North Carolina side
Cherohala - Tennessee side
| Highway 441 (thru the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest) |
| The Foothills Parkway |
This 34 mile highway runs through the Great Smokey Mountain National Forest. Starts off in
Cherokee, North Carolina and ends in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Beautiful views at every turn. One of
my personal favorites as far as scenery. Traffic can be heavy.
Cherokee, North Carolina and ends in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Beautiful views at every turn. One of
my personal favorites as far as scenery. Traffic can be heavy.
The Foothills Parkway links the Little River Road with the Dragon
(US 321 to US129). The speed limit on this rather straight, little
traveled 21-mile stretch of highway is 45 mph. There are some great
views along this road.
(US 321 to US129). The speed limit on this rather straight, little
traveled 21-mile stretch of highway is 45 mph. There are some great
views along this road.
