Full Answer
What is the tail of the dragon?
The Tail of the Dragon is about you, the pavement, and two white knuckles holding tightly to a steering wheel. That’s why this stretch of road is considered one of the most exciting drives in America. Cutting through the mountains in Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, the Tail of the Dragon is actually just a portion ...
How many lives does the tail of the dragon take?
With the stretch having claimed the lives of many over the years (on average, the 11-mile Tail of the Dragon takes at least one life a year), it’s natural to assume the road just has to be haunted. Death and bloodshed, however, also came to the area long before the paved road cut through Deal’s Gap.
Where is the dragon in the Carolinas?
First of all, it’s surrounded by other slightly-less-curvy, but still exciting and scenic roads, and the Dragon can easily be worked into a scenic route toward Asheville, one of the most beautiful towns in the Carolinas.
Where is the road in the Fugitive?
The road and nearby Cheoah Dam were featured in “The Fugitive,” and parts of the gearhead classic “Two-Lane Blacktop” actually feature much of the road at the very end of the movie. Whether you’re starting or completing the Tail of the Dragon at the intersection of US 129 & NC 28, Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort in Robbinsville, ...
How to get to the tail of the dragon?
Coming from Gatlinburg, TN, the quickest way to reach the Tail of the Dragon is as follows: 1 Take US 411 S from downtown into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 2 After about 2 miles, take a right onto Little River Road (TN 73) at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and continue all the way into Townsend (US 321 West). 3 Follow US 321 West to the Foothills Parkway. 4 Turn left onto US 129 from the Foothills Parkway. 5 In roughly 3 miles, you will find the Tail of the Dragon.
How long does it take to get to Tail of the Dragon?
In roughly 3 miles, you will find the Tail of the Dragon. This route can take anywhere from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes depending on traffic. If you’re using a GPS, enter the street address 1755 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28711 as your destination.
How many bikers ride the tail of the dragon?
The Tail of the Dragon attracts around 250,000 bikers each year – and it’s easy to see why! Bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest, this road has no houses, driveways, businesses, or intersecting roads. With its thrilling twists and turns, the road takes its name from its resemblance to a curvy dragon’s tail.
Why did the Cherokee use the tail of the dragon?
When the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced the Native Americans to leave the Smoky Mountains, many Cherokee used the Tail of the Dragon to hide from the soldiers enforcing the law. During the Civil War, the notorious Kirkland Bushwhackers, a gang of deserters, would ambush Union troops along the trail. The grave of Bas Shaw, a victim of one of ...
What movies have the tail of the dragon?
The road has even been featured in a number of movies, including Thunder Road, Two-Lane Blacktop, The Fugitive, and In Dreams.
When is the best time to drive the dragon?
April through October is the best time to drive the Dragon. Bikers should definitely avoid US 129 during the winter. Do not drive at night. Get your motorcycle checked before heading out. Always wear a helmet with a face mask, jacket, and gloves. Carry a Global Satellite GPS Messenger in case of emergency.
Is the tail of the dragon dangerous?
Riding the Tail of the Dragon can be extremely dangerous for the ill-prepared, so it is only recommended for experienced motorcyclists and motorists. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind as you plan your trip: The Tail of the Dragon is not for sightseeing; keep your eyes on the road.
Where is the dragon tail?
Twisting and turning through the mountains at Tennessee’s western border with North Carolina, the road demands all of a biker’s attention. If you’re traveling to the area specifically to ride, plan to stay a few days to explore other routes.
How long is the Dragon's Tail?
Officially U.S. 129, the Dragon’s Tail winds through 318 curves – some of them hairpin – in 11 miles. A favorite with motorcyclists and sports car drivers, the road is no place for big trucks or stretch limos. The route skirts the southwest border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park starting at the North Carolina/Tennessee border and ending at Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee.
What animals are in the road around the next curve?
Be alert for wild turkeys, deer and even bears that might be in the road around the next curve. Watch for cars pulling into and out of overlooks and pullouts.
Where to ride a motorcycle near the dragon's tail?
The Cherohala Skyway, one of Discovery’s “Top 10 Motorcycle Rides in North America” twists and turns for 40 miles through the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Do people die riding the dragon?
The road may entice you to drive fast , but exercise extreme caution. Someone dies almost every year riding the Dragon. Motorcycle parts dangle from the “Tree of Shame,” a monument to bikers who have lost their lives.
Where does the Tail of the Dragon begin and end?
It’s 19.15km (11.9 miles) long, running from the intersection of NC 28 and US 129 (in North Carolina) to the Tabcat Creek Bridge (in Tennessee). It is not a road for the squeamish, but if you're looking for a little excitement don't miss this one. It has been the setting for countless movies (in the Cheoah Dam Harrison Ford jumped in the movie The Fugitive...) and advertisements.
When to drive the Tail of the Dragon?
Weather on the Dragon is fairly predictable most of the summer. The winter months from November through March can be impossible to predict. The road is desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months, having to deal with bears, turkeys, deer, and wild boars in the road, trees down, ice/snow, and tractor-trailers taking-up both lanes in the curves. There are many ridable days in the winter, but they are not predictable. Higher elevations of the Cherohala and Blue Ridge Parkway can experience snow well into May. Many summer afternoons bring widely scattered rain showers. Often the weather stations and web weather will indicate rain for the entire area. Be aware that you can still have nearly a full day of riding before the summer showers hit in mid-afternoon. And these showers are here and there .... not everywhere. They often dissipate in the late afternoon leaving several hours of good riding before dark. Cars can run the Dragon most of the year. Winter is a great time to have the road to yourself. At times the road is dusted with salt/sand, but that is only when a severe storm is coming. It is usually gone after the next good rain. One big advantage of winter on the Dragon is the ability to see through many the corners because the trees have dropped their leaves. Good visibility from November through March. One downside is the sun is lower and can get in your eyes even at noon. The shadows also make for reduced visibility.
How many curves are there on the dragon?
The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to have 318 curves. Some of the Dragon's sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner's End, and Brake or Bust Bend. The road earned its name from its curves being said to resemble ...
What is the best time to see through the corners of the dragon?
One big advantage of winter on the Dragon is the ability to see through many the corners because the trees have dropped their leaves. Good visibility from November through March. One downside is the sun is lower and can get in your eyes even at noon. The shadows also make for reduced visability.
Where is Deals Gap?
Deals Gap, also known as Tail of the Dragon, is a portion of U.S. Route 129 in Blount County, Tennessee, situated in a gap in Swain County, North Carolina, United States. It's heralded as one of the most scenic drives in USA. The road still remains an adrenaline-pumping journey.
Can cars run the dragon?
Cars can run the Dragon most of the year. Winter is a great time to have the road to yourself. At times the road is dusted with salt/sand, but that is only when a severe storm is coming. It is usually gone after the next good rain.
Is the weather on the dragon predictable?
Weather on the Dragon is fairly predictable most of the summer. The winter months from November through March can be impossible to predict. The road is desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months, having to deal with bears, turkeys, deer, and wild boars in the road, trees down, ice/snow, and tractor-trailers taking-up both lanes in ...
What is a drive on the tail of the dragon?
A drive on the Tail of the Dragon is highly valued amongst thrill seekers across the world. You'll find folks coming in from all sorts of cultures and countries to try their hand at the crazy twists and turns high in the hills.
How many miles is the tail of the dragon at Deals Gap?
What makes it so special, you may ask? The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap runs for eleven miles, with 318 curves in between. Yes, you read that right - three hundred and EIGHTEEN.
How many curves does the tail of the dragon have?
The Tail of the Dragon is Tennessee's Windiest Road and It Has Over 300 Curves. Posted in Tennessee March 31, 2018 by Meghan Kraft.
Where is the tail of the dragon in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, drivers and cyclists will find the start of the Tail of the Dragon near Robbinsville at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. For those wanting an equally beautiful and climatically cool top-down drive that’s not as unnerving, the Moonshiner 28 scenic drive in North Carolina begins just down the road from where the Tail ...
How many curves does the Tail of the Dragon have?
Encompassing nearly 12 miles through the forest in both North Carolina and Tennessee, the Tail of the Dragon has an impressive 318 curves. Google Maps.
