Sixteen+1 Best Motorcycle Rides in the Smoky Mountains
You like adventure. I know this because you are reading about the 16 + 1 Best Motorcycle Rides in the Smoky Mountains. If you are like me, you want to climb on your bike and have a memorable riding experience.
You want a ride that activates all your senses, leaving you eager to do it again. A ride where mountain streams, vistas and dragons are part of the same story. Where lifelong friends and memories are made together. If this is you, you have come to the right place.
The Smoky Mountains are home to some of the best motorcycle rides in the world. We have beautiful mountain vistas, rivers, forests, and incredible views; and you can see it all from the seat of your bike. Although our most famous route, The Dragon, hardly has any views at all.
You could ride for weeks or months in the Smoky Mountains and never take the same route twice. Many great motorcycle rides are just waiting for you to discover.
We decided to put together a list of the 16+1 Best Motorcycle Rides in the Smoky Mountains. Pick one or two, or ride them all. We’re pretty sure you’ll be back again no matter what.
NOTE: State law in North Carolina and Tennessee requires all motorcycle riders and pillion to wear an approved helmet and to have lights on at all times.
(Maggie Valley, NC) The Bobarosa Saloon Run isn’t just a ride, it’s an experience that blends some of the Smoky Mountains’ most exhilarating roads with a destination that feels like a big, rowdy biker family reunion.
(Maggie Valley, NC) The Rattler isn’t just about the thrill, it’s a feast for the eyes. Picture yourself cruising through lush forests, under canopies of trees that feel like nature’s own tunnel, with jaw-dropping vistas around every bend.
(Gatlinburg, TN) For motorcyclists craving a short but scenic Smoky Mountain motorcycle ride, Foothills Parkway East is one of the obvious choices. From Gatlinburg, head to Cosby, TN and jump on the Parkway there.
(Cosby, TN) If you’re itching for a ride that mixes scenic beauty with a solid dose of adrenaline, the 16.1-mile stretch from Cosby along TN 32 (Cosby Highway) to the I-40 Appalachian Trail crossing is calling your name.
(Cherokee, NC) You can jump on the Smoky Mountain Loop from just about any of our gateway cities. You will pass through Cherokee, Bryson City, Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
(Townsend, TN) Tucked in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cades Cove Loop is a premier destination for motorcyclists craving a harmonious blend of natural beauty, rich history, and a relaxed riding experience.
(Gatlinburg, TN) The Smoky Mountain Divide is a 34-mile motorcycle route from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to Cherokee, North Carolina. It goes directly across the mountain via Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
(Townsend, TN) Bikers visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend will not want to miss the Foothills Parkway, a National Parkway maintained by the National Park Service. Great views and winding road.
(Townsend, TN) The Tail of the Dragon, also known simply as The Dragon, is a legendary 11-mile stretch of US Highway 129 that has become a bucket-list destination for motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.
(Townsend, TN) Hellbender 28 is a motorcyclist’s paradise, a 22-mile stretch of North Carolina Highway 28 from Deals Gap to Stecoah. It’s a key segment of the longer Moonshiner 28. The closest gateway city is Townsend, TN.
(Townsend, TN) Moonshiner 28 is a legendary motorcycle route, perfect for riders seeking thrills and stunning views. This 77-mile ride from Deals Gap to Franklin, North Carolina, is a must. Closest gateway city is Townsend, TN.
(Bryson City, NC) The Road to Nowhere literally just ends at a small parking area in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can park your bike and trek to the abandoned tunnel. The ride is not long and begins and ends in Bryson City.
(Cherokee, NC) For motorcyclists, the Blue Ridge Parkway’s southern section, stretching from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee at Milepost 469 to Asheville, North Carolina, is a bucket-list ride.
(Tellico Plains, TN) The Cherohala Skyway Loop is a 138-mile motorcycling masterpiece starting and ending at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in Tellico Plains. It is an amazing all day ride through and around the park.
(Tellico Plains, TN) The Cherohala Skyway is one of the least utilized roads in all of the Smokies. This ride has magnificent views of the mountains and valleys below. Ride from Tellico Plains to Robbinsville, NC.
(Bryson City, NC) Thunder Road is one of the most beautiful motorcycle routes in the Smoky Mountains. Amazingly, it is also one of the least used routes on our list. Begin at Nantahala Outdoor Center near Bryson City.
(Oliver Springs, TN) The Devil’s Triangle is a motorcyclist’s ultimate challenge delivering heart-pounding turns and breathtaking scenery. We chose this out of the way bonus ride (northwest of Knoxville) for its incredible thrills.
