The Best Rides for Bikers Near Gatlinburg
See All My Cabin Top Picks
1.) The Missing Link, Wears Valley
The long awaited new connection is now open. This beautiful approx 14 mile scenic portion of The Foothills Parkway contains a 1.5 mile "link" that could not be engineered until just recently. Float above Wears Valley and land at Walland. You probably won't want to stop there, so you might continue to Chillowee and The Dragon as well.
2.) Gatlinburg Bypass, Gatlinburg
Start out on Hwy 441 South ("The Spur") at the South end of Pigeon Forge and ride approx. 4 miles to the Gatlinburg Bypass exit on the right. About 8 miles one way.
3.) Pigeon Forge to Wears Valley
Start in Pigeon Forge on Wears Valley Rd (Hwy 321) near "The Island". Follow Wears Valley Road into the small community of Wears Valley. About 9 miles one way.
4.) Hwy 321 (East Parkway), Gatlinburg to Cosby
Start out in downtown Gatlinburg and head East on Hwy 321 toward Cosby.
About 18-19 miles one way.
5.) Fighting Creek Gap Rd., Gatlinburg to Townsend
Start at Sugarlands Visitor Center on 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN
(near Hwy 441 S. intersection) and follow it to Townsend. Lots of extra curves near Townsend. About 20 miles one way.
6.) Hwy 411 East, Newport Hwy, Sevierville
Start out in downtown Sevierville on (Main St./Dolly Parton Parkway) then head East
and it turns into Newport Highway. Takes you to the little town of Newport,
about 24 miles one way.
7.) Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC
Start on Hwy 441 at the southern-most end of Gatlinburg and follow all the way to Cherokee, NC. This can get very cold mid-ways at high elevations so plan to stay warm. About 36 miles one way.
8.) Foothills Parkway to Tail of the Dragon
Beginning on Hwy 321 (Lamar Alexander Pkwy) in Walland, turn onto Foothills Parkway and follow to the end, turning left onto Hwy 129. Be aware, after a few miles on Hwy 129 you will be on the notorious "Tail of the Dragon". While no list of roads would be complete without this one, ride safely--there are 318 curves in 11 miles, ending at Deals Gap, NC. About 32 miles one way.
*Here's a great link everyone should read before riding The Dragon:
http://tailofthedragon.com/details/
