Tail of the Dragon

Germany may have the Autobahn, but America has the Tail of the Dragon. North Carolina’s US 129 has been billed as “America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.” It’s easy to see why. The road is only 11 miles long, but has 318 curves. Sports car enthusiasts love to bring their rides up here to test their driving prowess. You may not actually be a professional race car driver, but you sure can feel like one!! But, keep in mind the speed limit is only 30 miles per hour.

Now, this road is not for everyone. If you are a person who constantly rides his (or her) brakes driving down a mountain, perhaps you should skip The Dragon. If you decide to conquer the drive, make sure to keep your eyes on the road, and not the scenery. With all those curves, you would hate to miss one and end up on the side of the mountain. For those who love to drive and want to test their skills, the Tail of the Dragon is a must. And, you don’t have to have a Ferrari or Porsche to enjoy it. (But those would be nice!!)



The Cherohala Skyway is another popular drive in the area. It only cost $100,000,000 to build, so you might consider giving it a try!! This road isn’t quite as treacherous as Tail of the Dragon. You will climb 5,400 feet in about 15 miles and are rewarded with spectacular views. Views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Tellico River are worth the drive. If you are looking for a beautiful waterfall that requires no hiking, take the small detour to Bald River Falls.

Both of these drives hug the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines. Fall is a perfect time to visit. The air is crisp and the leaves are beginning to change. If you are visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, consider taking these two drives.

For more information and detailed directions, check out this website: www.tailofthedragon.com