Overall Route Rating
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4.18 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.18
17 Reviews

NC Hwy 261- Roan Mountain Road

Motorcycle Route Author

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By MCR Contributor (1039 McR Points) on May 17, 2011

Rider Reviews

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Shemp
August 2, 2015
shhhhh! Don't tell anyone! The roads of WNC in…
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dragonflyTN
April 25, 2013
Rip roarin' curves and TONS of scenery. When you…
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Written Directions

The road is very curvy going up and back down. Many switch backs and very few straights. You can stat this ride in Bakersville, NC and you will end up in Roan Mountain, TN. Or you can start it in TN and come over to NC. Great rode and very few cars. Great ride in the late spring and early fall.

Scenery

Fantastic views from the overlook at the top of Roan Mountain at the NC-TN line.

Drive Enjoyment

Road has many curves and very few cars. You basically climb Roan Mountain on one side and back down the other.

Tourism Opportunities

For the most part, nothing on the mountain except an overlook and hiking area. But at the bottom of either side you have Bakersville on the NC side and Roan Mountain on the TN side. Bakersville is a very nice little town with a restaurant/coffee shop, Helen's, and antique shop. You are not far from Elizbethton and Johnson City on the TN side.
 

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Akumu
November 23, 2019
3916 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Only managed to catch this road in the wet, but even with reduced speed (in my hot hatchback) it was plain to see that this was a great road, especially leaving TN and entering NC. It got a little more interesting before Bakersville, NC, too. All in all a solid ride, and I dare say one worth trekking to. Do yourself a favor and take 80 south off of 226A right next door. It's properly silly and you're just a few miles away.
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red bud
December 3, 2019
344 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring
great road near a lot of other great roads,
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Mrm19149
January 4, 2020
31 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Good ride through the mountains.
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