Looking for Adventure in the Smokies? Here are 3 Motorcycle Rides You Shouldn't Miss

The scenery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas are nothing short of spectacular. For those of you who love to ride, the Smoky Mountains are the perfect place, whether you prefer a touring bike, a sport-bike, or a cruiser. No matter where you ride in the mountains, you are sure to enjoy majestic mountain views, dense, luscious forests, and numerous cascading waterfalls. There are virtually hundreds of miles of road you might think have been built just for motorcyclists. If you are riding to the area or bringing your bike along on a trailer, here are three amazing rides you simply can’t afford to miss.
The Tail of the Dragon
The Tail of the Dragon is considered to be one of the most famous motorcycle rides in the country. The start is just a short ride from Gatlinburg to US-129. The road runs for 11 miles from the state line at Deal’s Gap and runs through some of the most incredible areas of the park. During your ride, you will encounter no less than 318 different curves, ranging from gentle swoops to twisting turns that will have you laying your bike over to almost horizontal. The speed limit of 30 mph is heavily enforced as this section of US-129, and its steep descents and twisting curves, make it almost impossible not to feel like twisting the throttle. While the scenery is fantastic, the nearest emergency room is in Maryville, TN, nearly an hour away. Take it easy, enjoy the ride and, of course, watch for other vehicles and changing road conditions.
The Cherohala Skyway
Looking for a long stretch of twisting highway with less traffic and law enforcement? The Cherohala Skyway offers you a lightly traveled twisting and turning ride that lasts for the 23 miles from Tellico Plains here in Tennessee all the way to Robbinsville in South Carolina. This ride will take you up to 5400 feet in elevation and offers spectacular views of the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests along the way. It will take you about 2 hours to get to the start of the ride from Gatlinburg, but this is one of the most spectacular motorcycle rides in the Smokies.
The Little River Gorge Road
While traffic on this road can be heavy, depending on the time of day, it does offer incredible views of the scenery along with several waterfalls along the way. The ride starts at Cades Coves in the park and takes you into the southwest corner of the park. Be sure you pay attention to the speed limits in the park as they are heavily enforced by the National Park Service. Your route will take you along the Little River Gorge Road running beside the river, a road which can be heavily congested depending on the time of day you choose to venture out.
This is only a sample of the countless fantastic motorcycle rides to be found in the Gatlinburg, TN area. Always wear your helmet and safety gear when you ride, keep a close eye out for other motorists in the area, and you will go home with some amazing photos, memories, and stories of your rides.