Overall Route Rating
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4.36 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.36
11 Reviews

The Cherokee Run

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on May 31, 2009

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Guest
July 1, 2009
Yes, these roads stated here are some of the best…
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Guest
November 23, 2010
Rode this parkway in October 2010, with leaves…
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Written Directions

Just south of Lake Junaluska, NC, off of US 23 (exit 103), take "US 19 South" as it takes you west to the town of Cherokee. At the end of this route you will run into route 441 which goes north in to Tennessee or back down south to "The Hellbender 28" or you can take 74 west for a trip to Deals Gap.

Scenery

The scenery along this route is some of the prettiest I have ever seen, with the road carved out of the mountain. The mountain is so close to the edge of the road if you have a passenger they could probably reach out and touch the rock. There is water at the bottom of the valley you are traveling through for most of the trip. For part of this road you will enter the Cherokee Nation's reservation. It carries you also through Maggie Valley which is worth the trip just by itself.

Drive Enjoyment

the road because of being cut through from the mountainside is narrow, and the top speed is about 40 at best. Some of the turns are difficult so if you are going through this route as a warm up to riding the Tail of the Dragon this would get you in the mood. Good twisties with large elevation changes along the way.

Tourism Opportunities

Cherokee itself offers a full up casino, and all the amenities that would involve. Getting gas along this route is chancy at best. If you have a thirsty bike it would be best to fill up at Lunaska Lake first. There is a gas station at Cherokee. Maggie Valley is a really nice tourist stop with camping, and food as well as shopping in a beautiful setting.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .
 

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jim.w.watson@comcast.net
September 23, 2021
35 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Pretty road, but pretty sedate for this area.
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Akumu
November 23, 2019
3916 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
A good solid cruise out to Cherokee. It's a bit hard to not take BRP west when you cross by it, but if the weather is poor or you want to stay warm, or just want to cruise 19 will do it for you. It's not boring by any means, just sedate, by comparison to many other roads around. Sure, it has its spikes of twisties, but nothing nuts. It certainly was great fun riding this in the dark and rain the first time I rode it after a long day with a few mapping errors. I don't recommend this kind of 'fun.'
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