Overall Route Rating
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4.08 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.08
53 Reviews

Great Smoky US441

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Mark B. (262 McR Points) on Jan 20, 2019

Rider Reviews

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Marshman
28 McR Points
May 4, 2019
This road is beautiful but I've ridden it three…
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Akumu
3916 McR Points
November 23, 2019
Chances are good that if you've been down TN/NC…
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Written Directions

US441 from Cherokee NC to Gatlinburg TN is the only major road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Scenery

GSMNP is the most visited national park in the world. With significant altitude changes as you ride through Newfound Gap you have several scenic pullouts that afford long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The brief side trip to Clingman's Dome puts you at the highest point in Tennessee. On a clear day looking east you can see more than a dozen distinct mountain ridges.

Drive Enjoyment

Well maintained and most of it was resurfaced in 2018. Frequent pullouts reduce the traffic backups that can occur during peak tourist season. A few switchbacks as you cross the gap, but the national park speed limit makes them easy to negotiate. On the Tennessee side is a full corkscrew where you ride under the road you were just on. Do watch your speed, a violation is a federal offense. Park rangers and forest service personnel are everywhere.

Tourism Opportunities

In Cherokee and Gatlinburg are all the amenities a person could ask for. Inside the national park are restroom facilities, but no retail stores. At the beginning and end of this 42 mile ride are well stocked visitors centers were you can purchase GSMP gear and mementos.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

GSMNP, by federal law, is not allowed to charge an entrance fee. The elevation change means the top is noticeable colder than the start and finish areas. As the name implies, the mountains can fill with fog (Great Smoky) without warning. There is a large herd of Elk in the park that sometimes cause elk jams.
 

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Christopher Kmet
May 21, 2021
327 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
This should be in the top 25 rides on the east coast.
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Wayward1
April 14, 2022
10 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
took 2 bikes/ 3 people up from Cherokee to Gatlinburg. It was a nice scenic ride, there was some salt and gravel on the road, due to snow 3 days prior. A lot of looky-loos pulled over on either side of the road due to a bear, which isn't a bad thing just something to be mindful of if you choose to take this route. Its worth it!
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CRBMoto
February 15, 2020
26 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
Scenic but very slow paced and heavy traffic
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