Deal's Gap (AKA "The Dragon" or "Tail of the Dragon") - By Noica

Nice ride. I rode it the first time around 2002 on a rented bike from Pigeon Forge. A lot has changed in the past years...more bikes, more cars, more cops, more wrecks, and also more semi's trying to cut a few miles off of their trip (WATCH THE CURVES). When in the area, I usually ride the Foothills Parkway, Cherohala Skyway, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (Gatlinburg, TN.) and Great Smoky Mountain Parkway. You can make a loop around from Gatlinburg, through Townsend (great little sandwich shop in the gas station - great homemade pimento cheese), picnic on the side of the mountain just outside of Townsend, ride the Foothills Parkway, ride the 'Dragon' to Deals Gap (stop and take a short break), leave on NC 28 South and ride down past Fontana Village and Lake (check out the Fontana Dam overlook...real nice), head toward Cherokee, NC on 441, blow some money at Harrah's, and cruise through the Smoky Mountain Park back to Gatlinburg. About a good days ride with beautiful scenery and several rest stops.