Written Directions
Start at 105 E Grayson St, Galax, VA 24333, USA
Head west on E Grayson St toward N Main St
118 ft
Turn left at the 1st cross street onto S Main St
1.35 mi
Turn left onto VA-97 S/Pipers Gap Rd
8.96 mi
Turn right onto State Rte 620/VA-97 SContinue to follow State Rte 620
7.24 mi
Turn left onto State Rd 690
3.20 mi
Turn left onto US-52 N
13.4 mi
Turn right onto E Stuart Dr
0.300 mi
Turn left onto Floyd Pike
1.43 mi
Turn left onto VA-100 N
18.3 mi
Continue onto US-11 N
5.08 mi
Turn right onto US-11 N/5th St NEContinue to follow US-11 N
6.90 mi
Exit on the left onto VA-100 N/Cleburne BlvdContinue to follow VA-100 N
9.45 mi
Turn left onto VA-42 W
23.5 mi
Turn right onto US-52 N
6.43 mi
Turn left onto State Rte 614
13.5 mi
Turn left onto VA-61 W
9.38 mi
Turn left onto E Riverside Dr
3.26 mi
Turn left onto State Rte 16 Alt/VA-16 Alt S/Fairground RdContinue to follow State Rte 16 Alt/VA-16 Alt S
1.60 mi
Turn right onto US-19 BUS S/US-460 BUS W/Crab Orchard Rd
1.74 mi
Turn left onto VA-16 S
9.38 mi
Turn right onto State Rte 601
9.17 mi
Slight left onto VA-91 S
2.11 mi
Turn right to stay on VA-91 S
6.75 mi
Turn left onto Worthy Blvd
89 ft
Head southeast on VA-107 S/Worthy Blvd toward Preston LnContinue to follow VA-107 S
8.39 mi
Continue onto Whitetop Rd
3.59 mi
Continue onto St Clairs Creek Rd
1.13 mi
Continue onto Whitetop Rd
0.267 mi
Keep right to continue toward Whitetop Rd
981 ft
Continue onto Whitetop Rd
6.12 mi
Turn left onto Co Rd 600/Whitetop RdContinue to follow Co Rd 600
1.86 mi
Continue onto Whitetop Rd
3.33 mi
Continue onto State Rte 600
2.92 mi
Turn left onto US-58 E
46.2 mi
Turn right onto N Main StPass by Wells Fargo Bank (on the right)
0.333 mi
Turn left onto E Grayson St
82 ft
End 105 E Grayson St, Galax, VA 24333, US
Scenery
It would be a challenge for motorcycle riders to find a more beautiful driving trail than the scenic back roads of Southwest Virginia. Looping through the Blue Ridge Mountain range, The Claw of the Dragon is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the South for motorcycle enthusiasts.
With the charming town of Wytheville, Virginia, as the trail's center or hub, the trail features loops totaling over 350 miles as it ventures over to the community of Marion to the west and Galax to the east. The drive meanders through parts of seven Virginia counties but is easily accessible from Interstates 77 or 81 as a starting part.
Additional and extensive information is available on the
Claw of the Dragon official website.
Drive Enjoyment
The loops really engage the rider to give them all types of riding from switch backs to leisurely riding down by the beautiful New River. This is just a taste of great riding in the Beautiful Southwestern Virginia the roads are state maintained and you may encounter some gravel from time to time that has been tossed up from the side either by a cage or rain.
Tourism Opportunities
Along the way, riders have the opportunity to stop at many interesting and authentic attractions. After a heart-stopping trip on the ride that follows Virginia Route 16, the two-lane ribbon over three mountains between Tazewell and Marion called Back of the Dragon, don't miss some of the unique attractions nearby. Harkening back to the grand movie palaces of yesteryear, The Lincoln Theatre is the home of the nationally syndicated bluegrass music television series, "Song of the Mountains." This beautiful facility is one of only three remaining Mayan Revival theaters in America. The General Francis Marion Hotel is a favorite of riders with its restaurant called The Black Rooster and a bar with 27 beer taps. Nearby, Virginia Sweetwater Distillery and Appalachian Mountain Spirits offer a unique taste of local flavor. Wolf's Barbeque is also a hometown favorite with several other restaurants also available. Other interesting attractions include The Lincoln Theatre, Hungry Mother State Park, and the Museum of the Middle Appalachians.
Next, continue on to the Wytheville area. Many people will recognize this area as the location where two interstates converge, but there's a lot more interesting roads within the historic community. Riders will enjoy a challenging ride up Big Walker Mountain. As the 16-mile scenic byway makes it way to the top, the rider is immersed in breathtaking flora and fauna of each season. At the top, take a
rest at Big Walker Lookout, climb the 100 foot tower, and enjoy a snack in the country store. A variety of other local attractions such as Beagle Ridge Herb Farm, West Wind Winery, and Fort Chiswell Animal Park, offer the opportunity to enjoy some distinctive "homegrown" experiences. Wytheville's downtown historic district allows visitors to leisurely walk the streets and discover the history that has made this a town of hospitality for over 200 hundred years. Interesting shopping, museums, and the historic flavor of the 1776 Log House Restaurant are just a few of the must-see stops along the way. An evening of music can be enjoyed at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre or one of several music venues nearby. Wytheville has a variety of lodging accommodations from all-suite hotels to bed & breakfasts and cabins. A historic boutique hotel is now open in the downtown district as well as several new antique malls!
The newest anchor community for The Claw of the Dragon is Galax. This Virginia city is steeped in the history of music. The Galax Old Fiddler's Convention held the second week of August each year has earned the community the distinction of the "World Capital of Old Time Mountain Music." Festivals and special events are held at the Rex Theatre and in the downtown showcasing the area's authentic sound. Capitalizing on the wealth of local artisans, the area is also home to the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. A variety of classes offer a hands-on opportunity to explore an art or hone a craft with a local artist. The words "Galax" and "barbecue" are synonymous, so much so that the annual Smoke on the Mountain, Virginia State Barbecue Championship is held in downtown Galax each July.
This is but a sampling of all the interesting things you can see and do as you ride The Claw of the Dragon and explore the interesting communities along the way.
