Minis on the Dragon
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
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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
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
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.
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.
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.
(see map above)
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.
(see map above)
.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |