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40 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I sometimes ride this route after riding the "Tail of the Dragon". It's a nice combination for me!

19 McR Points

Motorcycle Type :

Easy to find as it is just south of Deal's Gap and the easiest path to Cherokee

15 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This was a really awesome ride. Definitely a warm up for the Tail of the Dragon. Lots of twists and curves.

72 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice ride, not the greatest but after riding the Dragon it's a change of pace.

327 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Not the dragon however still a great ride.

33 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Fantastic

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

The road is fantastic. We stayed at Mountain Vista, right in Stecoah, so were right in the middle of fun. Great road and not as crazy as the Tail of the Dragon.

197 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

After you stop and catch your breath at Deal's Gap, from riding the Dragon, take this run. A really fun one. Speed limit WAS 55 up until 2018. now its 40 and patrolled a little bit heavier. But fun none the less. lots of twisties, a couple hair pins and you drive right by the bottom of Fontana Dam. It's the biggest dam in the Eastern US. tallest and widest. You can also ride up to the top and if it isn't under construction (as it has been the last couple years) you can ride across the top to a great picnic area and overlook on the far side. Fontana Resort is a popular place to stay for motor cyclists as well as car enthusiasts who want to enjoy the surrounding area and roads. Plenty of bragging goes on in the evening over everyone's wheels and rides. Hellbender follows the shore line of Cheoah Lake. Cheoah Dam at the bottom of the lake and bottom of the Dragon is the dam from which the Stunt double for Harrison Ford actually jumped for the film "The Fugitive". And so locals call the dam Fugitive Dam. The road doesn't allow commercial traffic and is usually lightly traveled. no side roads or driveways, mean the only thing you have to watch for is curves, oncoming traffic and an occasional rock from the Smoky mountains right alongside the road.

22 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Fun!

344 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

another great road amongst many

36 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice ride to pair with The Dragon.

4000 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

I'm sorry, maybe it's just me, I haven't read all of the other reviews, but this road is SEVERELY hobbled by it's speed limit 25/35 in MANY spots and traffic. There is SO MUCH traffic going to the Dragon this way, so they can do 25mph on the Dragon, too, that you spend the whole time falling asleep behind the wheel/handblebars. If this was a regular rode with a regular speed limit it would be great. As it is, it's just the conveyor belt to the Tail of the Dragon, and while it's a damn site better then coming to the Dragon from the North it's just...meh. (Unless you get a completely clear run. God help you. Then it's QUITE good, actually. 3 years now and that's never happened for me.)

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

My wife and I agree that , that strech of road was one of the best scenic roads we've been on. We were lucky and got to run it during the week and the traffic was light, which added to it being a very enjoyable ride. The road is maintained very good which too, adds to enjoyment of the ride. Great state and great area.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Excellent warm-up leading to The Dragon. In some respects its better than Hwy129 due to the widely differing types of turns along this road. It has a mix of tight uphills/downhills, blind hairpins, and graceful turns. The scenery is especially beautiful as you near sunset with a fine mist settling over the water. Also very fun in a cage if that's all you brought with you that day.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Great ride. Enjoyed every mile. Fontama Dam was beautiful. Hope to return in the near future.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

This road on this bike was like a slow dance with a soft woman that lets me lead. That was Aug. '09, I can't wait for this years dance. Ride with care and a smile everyone!

80 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

Rode in Route to the Dragons Tail. Well worth the time and fun.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Coming from Canada, did the "250 hwy" then the "Blue Ridge Skyway" then "The Dragon". Big Mistake. The hype of the Dragon was a little bit of a let down due to all the Harleys stuck in first gear spewing unburnt fuel and after the first 2 roads AND the police presence - - Fortunately, this route saved the day. An enjoyable short ride with a good mixture of hills, corners, sweepers, scenery and boiled peanuts- - - who the hell eats boiled peanuts? Good with beer though! I recommend the guy selling them halfway down the route cooking them on an open fire. This road is complimented BY the Dragon. At least here you can get some speed up and enjoy!!! Harleys.........please move to the side and let us enjoy.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is an awesome road that we use when we go to the Dragon. We normally travel from Cherokee over to the Dragon and this has a very flowing road with all types of scenery. Fun to ride.

18 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Rode "The Hellbender 28" south after riding The Tail of The Dragon recently. 28 runs along some very beautiful scenery and is a very nice ride. I enjoyed the trip down this stretch of road very much and recommend it if you're riding The Dragon and aren't heading toward th Cherohala Skyway, which is to the south.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Beautiful road. Love the sweeping curves and the scenery. I've done the Dragon numerous times. This is a much nicer and relaxing ride. I don't care for the competition of the sport bikes.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This route is often overshadowed by the two other great rides in this area (Tail of the Dragon & Cherohala Skyway). But this is a beautiful ride that will keep your interest and shouldn't be missed.

4 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is the rocking chair leg of a trifecta ride that we took that started in Tellico Plains, TN and took the Cherohala Skyway through Robbinsville, NC to Route 28 and started the Hellbender 28. Road was great with a lot of river views and finishes up at Deal's Gap, and then rode the Tail of the Dragon. Doesn't get much better!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

The dragon is only 11 miles long. This is a road that you should definitely ride after you get tired of going back and forth on the dragon.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Mine (and my wife's) favorite road so far. Riding in the mountains by the lakes, plenty of foliage and color. The roads are in great shape and you still get the twisties. Take Hwy 28 all the way to Hwy 64 and ride into Highlands for some more great roads.

8 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

great ride, beautiful scenery, a very nice break from the dragon ,

157 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Like this road better than the dragon, especially from east to west to deals gap. I like coming down to cross the lake and see the big bluff.

29 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great ride

54 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Do not skip this road. It is worth riding over and over again every year when you visit.

61 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

I usually start this ride by leaving Clayton, GA on WARWOMAN RD. Turn left (north) where you "T" into HWY 28. Great ride all the way to the Dragon. Highlands, NC is a good place to get coffee or lunch.

66 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Good warm up for dragon if coming from the SE

59 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Great warm up before riding the tale of the dragon

79 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Take this on the way too the Dragon from eastern NC.

198 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Outstanding ride. Good for new riders and veteran riders. Great views of Fontana Dam.

8 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

WE HAVE RIDEN THIS RIDE IN THE PAST, TOOK IT ALL THE OVER TO MAGGIE VALLEY, MY FRIENDS ENJOYED THIS BETTER THAN THE DRAGON .. ITS GOOD SCENIC, LOTS OF FUN .. I'LL RIDE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN, TOOK MY FRIENDS FROM LA, & OH THERE TOO..COONASS ENJOYED IT A LOT... LOL...

37 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

Rode it right after Tail of the Dragon at the start of a long riding day. Not the best decision. It is beautiful, but worth taking your time and riding both ways.

19 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great road

262 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great road that extends all the way into Georgia. The section near the TN border gets most of the press and traffic. Head to the eastern side for lots of waterfalls and some tight curves with zero shoulder margin.

50 McR Points

Motorcycle Type :

Nothing like it. So many curves. Ride it, you won’t regret it!

61 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great views of the mountains and lakes

105 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Great road, got to it in between storms so the roads were a little damp - still a great ride and great scenery

86 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport

Great ride nice road great view can’t wait to ride again!

124 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Another great ride in the Smokies what can I say. I haven't found a bad road to ride out there.

100 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

The Hellbender 28 was an awesome and unexpected ride! Very nice and you should ride it if you get the chance!