The Dragon (also known as The Tail of the Dragon
Deals Gap, North Carolina
Deals Gap is a mountain pass along the North Carolina–Tennessee state line, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and near the Little Tennessee River. At.7 miles south of the gap is the unincorporated community that shares the same name, located at the intersection of US 129 and …
How far is tail of the dragon from Gatlinburg?
Jun 06, 2020 · The Tail of the Dragon 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. Popular Trending
Where is the tail of the Dragon in Tennessee?
Drive the Tail of the Dragon: America’s most exciting 11 miles. Twists, turns, and thick woods: this drive isn’t about scenic overlooks and nature’s majesty, the way a drive through Arches National Park or down the Loneliest Highway are. The Tail of the Dragon is about you, the pavement, and two white knuckles holding tightly to a ...
Where is the tail of the Dragon Road in Tennessee?
Where does the Tail of the Dragon begin and end? The road is totally paved. 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.
Where is the dragon tail in Tennessee?
Beginning at Deals Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line is the Tail of the Dragon. It is considered by many as one of the world's foremost motorcycling and sports car touring roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this 11-mile stretch of US 129.The Dragon is desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months.
Where does Tail of the Dragon start and finish?
Near bustling Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, but a world away, Tail of the Dragon runs from Chilhowee Lake in Tennessee to the tiny settlement of Deals Gap, which is just over the North Carolina border. It's about 90 miles west of Asheville, North Carolina, and 60 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee.Feb 26, 2021
How long does it take to ride the dragon tail?
about 30 minutesHow long does it take to ride the Tail of the Dragon. The speed limit on the road is 30 miles per hour (48 kph). So you can complete a one-way trip in about 30 minutes.Mar 23, 2021
What cities are in the Tail of the Dragon?
Gatlinburg, Townsend, Alcoa, Maryville TN Knoxville and airport area, Foothills Parkway, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Dollywood, some locations are just minutes to the Dragon, others up to 1 hour.
Is Tail of the Dragon one-way?
There is always a show on the weekends from April through October. The Dragon, as many have found, is truly a unique road. In 14 miles there are only two intersections; NC28 to Fontana Dam and the lightly traveled gravel road at Parsons Branch.
How many curves does the dragon tail have?
318 curvesTail of the Dragon at Deals Gap with 318 curves in 11 miles: America's number one motorcycle and sports car road. Designated US 129, the road is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest with no intersecting roads or driveways to hamper your travel.
How many have died on Tail of the Dragon?
Four people died, three of whom were motorcyclists. In North Carolina, there were 10 crashes in 2019 on the Tail of the Dragon.May 28, 2021
What is the tree of shame?
A tree covered in wrecked motorcycle parts is a warning to riders. Some time in the 1980s, a group of Harley Riders started the "Tree of Shame," now a fixture at the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. The tree is covered in parts from motorcycles that have crashed, or been "bitten by The Dragon," at some point in time.Oct 10, 2018
Do cops patrol the Tail of the Dragon?
You will usually see the Blount County Sheriff's cars on 129 along the Little Tennessee River straight-aways and sitting at the Tabcat Creek Bridge. Tennessee Sheriff and Highway Patrol units routinely patrol the Tail of the Dragon.
What town is closest to the Tail of the Dragon?
Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts, as it is along a stretch of two-lane road known since 1981 as “The Dragon” and the "Tail of the Dragon".
What is the speed limit on the dragon's tail?
30 mphThrill-seekers from around the world seek out this destination drive but, unfortunately, the Tail of the Dragon is not a race track, which means that its speed limit is set at 30 mph.Jun 19, 2020
Can you drive a car on the Tail of the Dragon?
0:468:18Drive the Tail of the Dragon | The List #0318 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's an 11 mile stretch of road with relentless switchbacks that has evolved over the years fromMoreIt's an 11 mile stretch of road with relentless switchbacks that has evolved over the years from animal paths to carriage trails to the pavement were on. Today.
Is Tail of the Dragon part of the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Blue Ridge Parkway – Tail of the Dragon Tours. An excellent source for information about the Blue Ridge Parkway and many other routes are the Motorcycle Adventure books written by Hawk Hagebak. He has published three volumes. Vol 2 covers the southern part of the BRP from Asheville to the NC/VA state line.
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 tail of the dragon?
Beginning at Deals Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line is the Tail of the Dragon. It is considered by many as one of the world's foremost motorcycling and sports car touring roads. Anyone looking for an exciting highway will enjoy this 11-mile stretch of US 129.The Dragon is desolate and can be a real adventure in the winter months.
How far away is the tail of the dragon?
Many people confuse traffic deaths from as far away as 100 miles as being "on the Dragon". The Tail of the Dragon is only 11 miles long and the following facts pertain only to those 11 miles. There are more motorcycle deaths on other roads in Blount County Tennessee than there are on the Dragon each year.
Where does the dragon start?
To some the Dragon begins on the North Carolina side at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped from in the movie The Fugitive. The dam and old single lane bridge were also in the 1971 movie Two Lane Blacktop that has become a cult classic.
How long is the average one way ride in Deals Gap?
The Deals Gap Riding Society record for an amateur rider was a 22 minute round trip run, which averaged out to 11 minutes one way (50.7 mph average). The overall record was 18 minutes, or 9 minutes one-way (62 mph average).
Who was the rider who crashed in Horns of the Dragon?
The second death occurred on Sunday August 4 when Lendry R. Obanna Jr., 24, of Jacksonville, Florida, lost control of his 2000 Yamaha R6.
Is there elevation change on the Dragon?
There is very little elevation change. And many of the curves are banked like a race track. Watch out for a few twists that are off-camber and several that are decreasing radius curves. After riding many other twisty roads, we always come home to the Dragon and rate it the most fun of them all.
When did the tail of the dragon change?
That all changed in 1992 when an Atlanta motorcycle enthusiast formed the Deals Gap Riding Society and began to refer to the roadway as the Dragon. The name stuck, at least until around 2000, when the Tail of the Dragon website went live and that moniker became well known.
How fast can you drive in Tail of the Dragon?
If you’re in the mood to sightsee, use the designated pullouts along the Dragon. Don’t pull over along the roadway. Stick to the posted speed limit, which is 30 mph, and don’t tailgate. Prior to hitting the road, take a look at the route on a Tail of the Dragon map so you know what to expect.
How far away is the Cherohala Skyway?
For the ultimate driving experience, pair the Dragon with a ride on this road, located about 36 miles away. It took 34 years and more than $100 million to construct the Cherohala Skyway, but when it finally opened in 1996, the 43-mile National Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway was a winner, offering some of the most glorious views in the region. As it twists and turns across the rugged mountain ridges, the Skyway gains more than 2,700 feet in elevation. Along the way, you’ll find picnic areas, trailheads, and safe places to pull over and admire the landscape.
How to ride the dragon?
Safety tips for riding the Dragon 1 Stay in your lane. Not only do the center lines tend to be slick, but the Dragon is also rife with blind curves and hillocks that bend just past the crest, making head-on accidents a real risk if you’ve drifted into oncoming traffic. Keep as close to the white line as you can. 2 Stick to your skill level. Many of the Dragon’s turns actually tighten as they curve, making them even more challenging than they seem. Brake gently, and downshift when necessary. 3 Keep your eyes on the road…but be sure to glance up occasionally to be sure you’re not headed for a collision with one of the deer, wild pigs, or bears that roam the surrounding forest. 4 If you’re in the mood to sightsee, use the designated pullouts along the Dragon. Don’t pull over along the roadway. 5 Stick to the posted speed limit, which is 30 mph, and don’t tailgate. 6 Prior to hitting the road, take a look at the route on a Tail of the Dragon map so you know what to expect.
How long does it take to drive the dragon?
It will take about 30 minutes to drive the Dragon’s 11 exhilarating miles.
What to do once you tamed the dragon?
Once you’ve tamed the Dragon, stick around to explore the region’s towering waterfalls, crystal-blue lakes, atmospheric mountain towns, and truly scenic highways. Before you hit the road, make sure you have these essential road planning tips and the following important information about the Dragon.
Is Tail of the Dragon scenic?
Most road trips are about the scenery. Not Tail of the Dragon. While it’s certainly scenic, this trip is really all about the ride, and if you’re the one who’s driving, you’ll definitely want to keep your eyes fixed on the road. Twisting between the perimeters of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest, ...
Where is the tail of the dragon?
The Tail of the Dragon is a two lane stretch of road on US 129, also known as Tapaco Road in North Carolina and Calderwood Highway on the Tennessee side. With more than 300 curves over a stretch of 11 miles, it has been featured in movies and TV shows like Top Gear, Thunder Rod, The Fugitive and more. Scenic Routes.
How many miles is the tail of the dragon?
This stretch of road in the Great Smoky Mountains boasts 318 curves in just 11 miles, and promises fun and excitement for anyone who dares to conquer it.
Is it safe to ride the tail of the dragon?
With all the hairpin turns, passing on the Tail of the Dragon can be unsafe. Mind all speed limits. Though it might be fun to push your car or bike’s capabilities, safety on the road is paramount. Additionally, the Tail of the Dragon is heavily policed and speeding fines can be hefty.
