Heading to Chattanooga and Gatlinburg this weekend. Any suggestion for must rides except for the famous roads. Doing the Aquarium in Chattanooga I will write short write up with gopro video and pictures when I return.

Thanks in advance
Shaun

 

The lost sea.

 

Take 411 out of Chattanooga to go North instead of interstate.In Cleveland take hwy 64 east along the Ocoee river(whitewater river) which will turn into Hwy 19-129. turn onto hwy 129 which will bring you to and over the Dragon. You will be going downhill from Deals Gap on the Dragon(if that makes a difference). Keep on 129 and turn on the Foothills Parkway that will take you to Townsend, Tn and then to GSMP to ride River Road to Gatlinburg. There is a cafe in Robbinsville on Hwy 129 (the Hub)Or instead of turning on 129 stay on 19 Then turn on Hwy 28 to Deals Gap...Hell!... Just pick a road and ride, it will be a good one! Have Fun!

 

If you stay on hwy 19 you will ride along the Nantahala River(whitewater rafting). Stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser and watch rafters come over the final rapid and you can eat river side at the cafe. A lot of congestion at he NOC but it's very brief. Continue on 19 or 74 to Cherokee then over Newfound Gap in GSMNP to Gatlinburg. Be aware Hwy 411 over Newfound Gap btwn Gatlinburg and Cherokee can be crowded in places so be patient. You may see Elk as you enter the Park at Cherokee.

 

Great Steak at The Pedler Steakhouse in Gatlinburg

 

+1 on this and a great salad bar(for those that eat salad). Best to call ahead.

 

If you get to Cherokee HD, (t-shirt shop) get a map for a couple of bucks.
I would recommend running Moonshiner 28 south of 19 all the way down to South Carolina 107 and head back north through Cashiers. It's an all day deal so be prepared for that. It's endless down there and you can't do it all in one trip!

 

Hard to find a nicer ride than the Cherohala Skyway in this area .
The Dragon is an ok ride , but for just cruising & looking at the
view the Skyway is hard to beat . Watch for turkeys & bear on the
river road out of Townsend . Ridden it twice this season & sighted
them both times . Remember if you come upon several cars pulled
slightly off the road where there's no pulloff they're probably looking
at bears .

 

You're coming to East TN this weekend & we're going
to the panhandle . Wave as we go by . Hwy 27 up thru
GA is a decent ride coming north . Be safe .

 

Just came back from Cherohala. Very nice ride. I wish I knew that about the bears. I didn't see any on that road but did see 2 on Skyline Drive.