Tail Of the Dragon

Grab your biker leathers and head to the southeastern edge of the Great Smokey National Park, where the Tail Of The Dragon awaits for any motorist who dares an attempt at taming it. Starting at the state line of Tennessee, near Deal’s Gap North Carolina, the Tail Of The Dragon runs along U.S. Route 129 for eleven miles and earns its name because of the three hundred and eighteen curves and a roller coaster elevation variance of one thousand feet from Deal’s Gap Resort  to the Tabcat Bridge near Chillhowee Lake.

The six mile “as the crow flies” stretch of road has long been a favorite of motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts from around the world. It is not uncommon to find bikers from all over Europe who have brought the motorcycles with them to ride the Dragon for weeks at a time.

Along the route, wrought with switchback and chicane type cures, the vistas of the Appalachian Mountain range are stunning and inviting to stop and take a look. Another favorite site along the way is the Cheoah Dam, the site of the filming for the famous dam scene in the 1993 theatrical release of The Fugitive.

Deal’s Gap resort is the gathering hub for all who ride the Tail Of The Dragon. The resort offers all manner of memorabilia, such as pins, tee-shirts, videos, and more. The resort also features a hotel and campgrounds. There are less than thirty available rooms, so it is advisable to plan your trip far in advance if you want to stay at the resort. Other options include getting a room in the Gatlinburg or Cherokee areas. This option actually makes for a very scenic ride of to the Tail Of The Dragon as the routes traverse mountains and hug the shores of beautiful lakes and rivers along the way.

The one drawback to riding the Tail Of The Dragon is traffic. Through the week is the best time to attempt to tame it as the traffic is considerably less dense than the weekend.

If you are a motorcyclist, chances are that you have heard of the Tail Of The Dragon, and if you have never made the trip, it is highly recommended that you do. Be warned: the Dragon can bite, and wiil, if you are not prepared or alert.