America's number one motorcycle and sports car road, Deal's Gap (other wise known as "Tail of the Dragon" or simply "The Dragon"), is renowned as the Mecca of sports car drivers and motorcycle riders, attracting thousands of four wheeler enthusiasts each year.
With 318 turns in 11 miles of scenic and twisty US 129, Tail of the Dragon is one of the most sought out driving adventures in the US. Winding its way up and over the mountains of Tennessee into North Carolina, the Dragon is the gateway to all that NC has to offer. Along the way you will find many scenic and beautiful places to stop and take in all the natural splendor of the area surrounding the Dragon. This area was one of the last in North Carolina to be settled due to its inhospitable terrain. For 36 miles along the Tennessee/North Carolina border the Great Smoky Mountains are more than 5k feet in altitude with 16 peaks stretching to more than 6k feet. This altitude makes the route a treacherous travel both for the pioneers in their day and the motor sport enthusiasts today. Make sure you look far ahead at the road, turns, curves, bushes and other vehicles.
Overall this route offers world class mountain scenery as spectacular as the neighboring Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Be ready to slow down and look out for deer, turkeys, wild boar and bear on the roadway. Also, keep in mind that managing the road's many curves will give you little time to watch the sights along this beautiful route.
Towns/Cities You'll Pass By/Through
There are no towns along this route. You will not find any gas stations, places to eat or mini malls; just mountains and curves.
Attractions & Points-of-Interests Along the Way
There are not many pull-outs along this route. The following attractions/amenities are available along the way: one pull off at Dragon overlook; a gas station at Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort; lodging available at the Resort and there's one store at the end of the route where you can see pictures of crashes that have happened along the road. Food is available at Dragon's Den Grill, located at the resort. Nearest repair can be found in Wheelers, 16 miles south or the 129 Pit Stop in TN 12 miles north of the route.
Reviewed by BRTP Partners on March 16, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Attraction or Point-of-Interest recommendation: For more information, visit the a very nice Deal's Gap information website. It covers not only the road and it's immediate attractions but also other nearby attractions and points-of-interest you may be interested in visiting.
