Townsend and Wears Valley Ride

Motorcycle Route Author

By SamZzz (7 McR Points) on Apr 19, 2018

Rider Reviews

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Bbeck

54 McR Points

March 30, 2021

Beautiful ride but heavy traffic most all year.

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TheFryedaddy

80 McR Points

May 26, 2021

Ride is better on the Wallen end, moderate to…

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Written Directions

Start at Walland Center on US-321 headed away from Maryville past Foothills Parkway. Once you pass the parkway, the lanes merge and the fun begins. When you get to the red light in Townsend (there's only one, can't miss it) take a left and continue on 321, not called Wears Valley Road until you get to Pigeon Forge. We run this route to get to Rocky Top H-D.

Scenery

As the road goes from 4 lanes to 2, you'll carve your away between a winding river and a mountain until you get to Townsend. Townsend is a small town that offers food, fuel and lodging to Smokies visitors. After you turn at the stoplight, you begin your climb up the mountain and soon emerge into a scenic valley with a few tourist spots such as a moonshine distillery, restaurants and an alpine coaster that runs down the side of the mountain before you spill out into Pigeon Forge. There's a little of everything along this route.

Drive Enjoyment

Normally this would be a 5 star road, however as of this posting (Apr 2018) there is a section currently under construction due to a previous rock slide. They have the road down to one-way with a stoplight in that spot and there are some potholes just above it but after that you're back on pristine smooth pavement.

Tourism Opportunities

This area has a little of everything. Once you get into Wears Valley and over the mountain you'll find plenty of places to grab a bite, fuel up and do some shopping. Hillbilly's (you'll know it by the truck perched precariously on top of the sign) has a really good breakfast buffet but be prepared for a wait. Sign their truck inside while you wait. If you need anything for your bike, you'll find Rocky Top Harley-Davidson on the left as Wears Valley Road enters into Pigeon Forge. There's also a campground on the right just before that area. Keep going to the Pigeon Forge Parkway and you'll definitely find plenty to do, but also plenty of traffic.