Overall Route Rating
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3.3 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.3
14 Reviews

Cades Cove Run

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Dec 31, 2003

Rider Reviews

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Guest
June 18, 2009
Weekends and weekday afternoons will find Cades…
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Graybush
March 11, 2012
This is one of my favorite roads in the area. I…
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Written Directions

You'll find this route in the western part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. To get to Cades Cove Road, you'll need to start in the main entrance to the park which is near Gatlinburg Tennessee on US 441. Head into the park on US 441 and after only a mile or two, look for the signs for Cades Cove. Just follow the signs from there on out and get ready for Cades Cove Loop which is an 11 mile one way loop that takes a few hours to get through on account of the traffic density.

Scenery

This is one of the most beautiful rides I know of. It's 27 miles in and 27 out. This ride follows a river and has scenery that will take your breath away. Update provided by Miller5573 on 5/30/12: ""

Drive Enjoyment

This two-lane road is nothing but mountains and river. Cades Cove is in a National park so the road is very well maintained. It basically follows the contour of the river so it's exciting as it twists and turns. There are rock overhangs and a couple of small bridges. However, take is at a reasonable pace so you wont miss the natural beauty.

Note: Please keep the speed to something reasonable. Running 110 in a 45 gives us all a bad name and spoils the fun for everybody.

Tourism Opportunities

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee are right at the entrance to this natural area. However, once you get in there are no amenities. So fill up immediately before taking this ride. Update provided by Miller5573 on 5/30/12: "The is a winding two lane highway that traverses rolling hills with trees on both sides and some trailheads for nature walks (hikes). A mouton stream follows alongside a good portion of the road. The road ends in Cades Cove, a secluded, primitive community located in a beautiful valley within the Great Smokey Mtns. There is an eleven mile, one way, loop road that takes you around the perimeter of the valley with abundant wildlife viewings possible, mostly bear, deer, and wild turkey. An absolutely gorgeous place in the Spring and Fall."

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Update provided by Miller5573 on 5/30/12: "Many hiking trails, camping in Cades Cove. No restaurants however there is a general store by the campgrounds that has cold sandwiches and snack food including ice cream." - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Cades Cove web site - Great Smoky Mountain National Park web site
 

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HidingUnderMyRock
April 3, 2022
29 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
The loop can be a 3-hour crawl with traffic
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Spirit01
May 8, 2018
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
The ride from Gatlinburg to Townsend exit through the park is a great ride but my advice is to avoid the Cades Cove loop - unless you really like duckwalking your bike 11mi and cooking your engine and clutch. The valley is gorgous, don't get me wrong and from the comfort of an air conditioned cage its a pleasant waste of 3hr or more depending on how many deer there are to distract the tourists. I suggest a better use of your day would be to exit to Townsend, go through town and get on the Foothills Pkwy to 129.
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Brainsprain
January 29, 2016
36 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
My girl friend and I had a great time on this road. The original poster said there is nothing once you get on the road. Once you get toe Cades Cove Loop that is true. However there is a considerable distance from the park entrance to the Loop on Little Gorge Road, one can follow the signs to Townsend where there is a nice entrance. One nice part of the trip is places to pull off and lie by the creek in near private despite the road being close by. We took a nap and other things without being disturbed for about an hour. The day was as busy as I'd ever want to be on the road.
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