Overall Route Rating
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4.67 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.67
24 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Oct 31, 2004

Rider Reviews

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Guest
September 16, 2008
I live 5 miles from this road and have ridden it…
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Guest
August 11, 2010
Wonderful road to ride. Very little traffic,…
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Written Directions

Exit 45 on Interstate 81 in Virginia puts you right on route 16 and in the town of Marion, VA. From here you simply go north on route 16 which turns north off of U.S.11 as you follow it north out of Marion and is an awesome road. Take it about 35 miles all the way up to the town of Stony Ridge. Continue on into West Virginia and check out The Berwind Lake Public Park (https://www.berwindlake.com/recreation.html) from about that point on Route 16 really snakes along as it hugs the river and takes you into the Route's end point in Yukon, WV.

If you liked that route, you also could start at Marion and go south and you will ride about 30 miles to the state line of North Carolina ... good ride but not as good as going north out of Marion on 16.

Scenery

Awesome mountains and countryside, 2 state parks, Hungry Mother State Park to the north of Marion, VA at exit 45 on I-81 and Grayson Highlands State Park to the south on 16 at exit 45 on I-81 towards North Carolina. North from Marion takes you to Tazewell, VA which is very near Burke's Garden.

Drive Enjoyment

From Marion, VA. north on 16 the pavement is well kept and smooth with some awesome scenery and plenty of twists and turns as you cross 3 mountains into Tazewell, VA. If you take 16 south from Marion, VA. at exit 45 off I-81 the road is scenic but not as twisty as the northern route out of Marion.

Tourism Opportunities

At Marion you will find the usual fair of chain restaurants and some local mom n pop places too. South on 16 there is not much till you get near the town of Mouth of Wilson near the North Carolina line. Going north after you leave Marion there is nothing until you reach Frog Level just outside of Tazewell, VA.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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Ridden
October 6, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Standard
I've been riding this road for the past eight years and it's been a great little secret. Until 2011. The Tazewell Dept. of Tourism decided that they should get the same recognition as the "Dragon" so they've been plugging it to get lots of MC tourists. That's going to crowd the road, increase accidents and add heavy LEO patrolling. Too bad.

I usually make an annual trip to go camping with friends from all over the eastern half of the US in Hungry Mother state park. We just try to avoid the "Back of the dragon" rally weekends...

Great road although some sections were getting a little rough. Views are incredibly distracting...try to ride it before the squids ruin the secrecy of the area...
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Guest
April 24, 2011
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Very nice ride, beautiful scenery. Just be careful not to drag the frame on those larger cruisers :)
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2 riders found this road review useful
ThomSS
September 17, 2019
3642 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
Only rode the stretch from Marion to Tazwell, went up and back twice... what a great ride! Road surface is in good shape, plenty of twisties and switchbacks along with elevation changes! One of the best rides I've been on! Be sure to check out Back of the Dragon store in Tazwell, big selection of shirts and stuff, the new store is set to open May of 2020, sounds like it's going to be really nice! Macado's in downtown Marion is a great place to eat. Old Post Office converted, really cool place to see, great food, generous portions!
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