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

NC Hwy 261- Roan Mountain Road

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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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Miss_Mo
6 McR Points
July 25, 2017
Did this route as part of a ride from Roan…
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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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Shemp
August 2, 2015
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
shhhhh! Don't tell anyone! The roads of WNC in the summertime can be full.....this one August 2,2015 was desolate. Twisties,sweepers,good surface, very little traffic........I'll be back. I live within a couple hours and haven't rode it till today. I thought i had done them all...???
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6 riders found this road review useful
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Miss_Mo
July 25, 2017
6 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Did this route as part of a ride from Roan Mountain to Marion, including the Devil's Whip. We enjoyed this section more than the Whip, as there was very little traffic, even on a Sunday in July. While it was about 90 in the low areas down the mountain, we were really comfortable in the high 70s-low 80s on this part of the ride. We did come across gravel in the corners quite a bit, but you just have to be aware.
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5 riders found this road review useful
COG-528
September 22, 2015
8 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
This road is as good as any of the named roads, The Snake, The Devil's Whip, The Rattler, etc.,) in North Carolina. The advantage is it is not being pushed as a motorcycle tourist road so there is a lot less traffic. . . at least on a Tuesday in Mid-September.
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5 riders found this road review useful