Trip to the Dragons Tail
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 131
From: Central Texas area
Places from my trip last week..
Biltmore Estate, Fontana Dam, Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Falls by the Ranger station of Cherohola Skyway, Thunder Mountain Store (you could see Jeff or Jim Tom from Moonshiners)
Biltmore Estate, Fontana Dam, Dragon, Moonshiner 28, Falls by the Ranger station of Cherohola Skyway, Thunder Mountain Store (you could see Jeff or Jim Tom from Moonshiners)
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
I've been there 3 times during Labor day and several more the 2nd week of Sept and it hasn't been bad crowded at all. Other times during July and August have been.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 29
From: Western Washington
Starting at the Fontana Dam, great loop that many dont knowabout. I grew up and lived north of Asheville until about 10 yrs ago. End upthe day in Brevard, can find lodging or camping easily and plenty of places toeat. Nice mountain roads, with a mix ofeverything, tight stuff, high speed sweepers, nice views and several lakes inthe area.
Google says 222 miles, but it will take you all day on aHarley and youll be ready for a beer that evening. Good 1 day route
This is only 284 miles .but unless youre in a hurry andmissing everything it will be a 2 day ride or can make it 3 if you hike about much. Again little known back roads, hitssome nice spots (Hot Springs NC, Spa, small town but they have hot mineral spas overlooking the river) Good place to stop for the night or Spruce pine or Linvillefalls are also good night stops. Grandfather Mt and Linville Viaduct are a MUST, tag Mt Mitchell and then Biltmore House.
I was back there to visit 2 yrs ago, but the roads/route and highlights are still good. Finding place to eat or sleep I'm outdated so have to figure that out yourself.
Last edited by Warchild1$; Jun 16, 2016 at 07:16 PM. Reason: Links no worky
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 40
Likes: 29
From: Western Washington
Crap I can't get that google map link to work right
google.com/maps/dir/35.4466515,-83.8178072/35.0546651,-83.2028688/35.143371,-82.8386206/35.4710052,-82.8847631/35.0711587,-82.6066068/34.9894133,-82.7569821/35.1491168,-82.8315347/35.2339562,-82.7342129/@35.434773,-83.4392948,10z/data=!4m15!4m14!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.7905875!2d35.3297918!3s0x8859a242bdc65e49:0x301 d7074761139c5!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0
google.com/maps/dir/35.2339562,-82.7342129/35.6205507,-82.65428/35.8931818,-82.8263705/36.0414135,-82.4931708/Linn+Cove+Viaduct,+Linville,+NC+28646/Grandfather+Mountain,+2050+Blowing+Rock+Highway,+L inville,+NC+28646/2388+N+Carolina+128,+Burnsville,+NC+28714/Biltmore+House,+Mimosa+Circle,+Asheville,+NC/@35.4163368,-82.9469013,10z/data=!4m50!4m49!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.865121!2d35.4980095!3s0x88599ce29dc9382f:0xa9ae ef5975bcda5a!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.8707154!2d35.7911341!3s0x885a2c81e047e787:0x702 75f603c1bef3f!1m0!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-82.3821283!2d35.9624034!3s0x885a0d8eac18cf4d:0x2c5 920a1b344e7f1!3m4!1m2!1d-82.1781315!2d35.9041296!3s0x8850a723eb66dd41:0x6d4 3df86edec5ff7!1m5!1m1!1s0x8850ec5d1a7d7cbd:0xdec2a 82ef5f80baf!2m2!1d-81.8129687!2d36.0935904!1m5!1m1!1s0x8850ecc227f8d0 15:0x93c35aaf180c5fc1!2m2!1d-81.8315221!2d36.0943916!1m5!1m1!1s0x885a06ce550b08 37:0x8b4af851ececce1d!2m2!1d-82.2718134!2d35.7620527!1m5!1m1!1s0x8859f3f232b358 31:0x428edd3a9611f4cd!2m2!1d-82.492259!2d35.5860368!3e0
Try this, has the route, just copy/paste with www in front
google.com/maps/dir/35.4466515,-83.8178072/35.0546651,-83.2028688/35.143371,-82.8386206/35.4710052,-82.8847631/35.0711587,-82.6066068/34.9894133,-82.7569821/35.1491168,-82.8315347/35.2339562,-82.7342129/@35.434773,-83.4392948,10z/data=!4m15!4m14!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.7905875!2d35.3297918!3s0x8859a242bdc65e49:0x301 d7074761139c5!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0
google.com/maps/dir/35.2339562,-82.7342129/35.6205507,-82.65428/35.8931818,-82.8263705/36.0414135,-82.4931708/Linn+Cove+Viaduct,+Linville,+NC+28646/Grandfather+Mountain,+2050+Blowing+Rock+Highway,+L inville,+NC+28646/2388+N+Carolina+128,+Burnsville,+NC+28714/Biltmore+House,+Mimosa+Circle,+Asheville,+NC/@35.4163368,-82.9469013,10z/data=!4m50!4m49!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.865121!2d35.4980095!3s0x88599ce29dc9382f:0xa9ae ef5975bcda5a!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-82.8707154!2d35.7911341!3s0x885a2c81e047e787:0x702 75f603c1bef3f!1m0!1m10!3m4!1m2!1d-82.3821283!2d35.9624034!3s0x885a0d8eac18cf4d:0x2c5 920a1b344e7f1!3m4!1m2!1d-82.1781315!2d35.9041296!3s0x8850a723eb66dd41:0x6d4 3df86edec5ff7!1m5!1m1!1s0x8850ec5d1a7d7cbd:0xdec2a 82ef5f80baf!2m2!1d-81.8129687!2d36.0935904!1m5!1m1!1s0x8850ecc227f8d0 15:0x93c35aaf180c5fc1!2m2!1d-81.8315221!2d36.0943916!1m5!1m1!1s0x885a06ce550b08 37:0x8b4af851ececce1d!2m2!1d-82.2718134!2d35.7620527!1m5!1m1!1s0x8859f3f232b358 31:0x428edd3a9611f4cd!2m2!1d-82.492259!2d35.5860368!3e0
Try this, has the route, just copy/paste with www in front
Last edited by Warchild1$; Jun 16, 2016 at 07:19 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
3 weeks would be much better. Lot's and lot's of great roads and lots to see and do in the area!
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 761
Likes: 124
From: College Station TX
I like the way you think tnriver! I'm spending four weeks this year up in Wyoming and Montana this year and thinking Colorado next year. But after reading this I may rethink the plan for next year.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
I've only ridden out west a couple of times during the Sturgis Rally but the riding in the Smoky's is much better and much more beautiful! Now although I have never been (bucket list) the Rockies have to be number one of them all from what I've seen. There just really are not many bad roads in the Smokys as long as you aren't trying to ride through a tourist trap like Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, etc.