Roads

Discover the best roads in Tennessee and beyond. Community-shared routes with scenic ratings, difficulty levels, and saved GPS geometry.

Intermediate

Tail of the Dragon

US-129 at Deals Gap on the Tennessee–North Carolina line: 318 curves in 11 miles, and the most famous motorcycle road in the country. No intersections or driveways along it, but it draws heavy traffic and law enforcement on weekends. Ride your own pace.

11 miIntermediate

Scenic

Ocoee Scenic Byway (US-64)

US-64 follows the Ocoee River gorge west of Ducktown, past the whitewater course from the 1996 Olympics. A flowing riverside run of moderate curves with plenty of pull-offs — scenic rather than technical.

26 miScenic

Beginner friendly

Natchez Trace Parkway (TN)

The Tennessee stretch of the Natchez Trace runs southwest from near Nashville toward the Alabama line. A 50 mph national parkway with gentle curves, no commercial traffic, and no billboards — the most relaxed long ride in Middle Tennessee.

100 miBeginner friendly

Intermediate

The W Road (Signal Mountain)

US-127 up Signal Mountain outside Chattanooga — a short, steep set of switchbacks named for its shape on the map. Tight and low-speed, with a valley overlook at the top. A quick local favorite.

4 miIntermediate

Scenic

Cherohala Skyway

TN-165 from Tellico Plains across the mountains to Robbinsville, North Carolina — 43 miles of wide, sweeping curves climbing above 5,000 feet. Long sightlines, few services, and cool air at the top even in summer. A calmer alternative to the nearby Dragon.

43 miScenic

Scenic

Roan Mountain Highway (TN-143)

TN-143 climbs from Elizabethton to the grassy balds of Roan Mountain near the North Carolina line. A quiet, steep, curvy run to one of the highest points in East Tennessee, famous for its June rhododendron bloom.

15 miScenic

Scenic

Newfound Gap Road (US-441)

US-441 climbs from Gatlinburg over the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains to the North Carolina line at Newfound Gap — about 30 miles of steady switchbacks and overlooks through the national park. Spectacular, and busy in season.

31 miScenic

Intermediate

The Snake (US-421)

US-421 from Mountain City toward Bristol: 489 curves over three mountains in about 12 miles. Fast, technical, and lightly trafficked, with a well-known overlook and a rider stop partway along.

12 miIntermediate

Intermediate

The Devil's Triangle

TN-116 through the ridges near Wartburg and Oliver Springs — roughly a 44-mile loop of tight, low-traffic pavement. Remote and technical: watch for gravel and coal-truck wear on the surface.

44 miIntermediate

Scenic

Foothills Parkway

A National Park Service scenic road skirting the northern edge of the Smokies between Walland and Wears Valley. Smooth, sweeping, and built for the view, with overlooks the whole way. Well-suited to newer riders.

33 miScenic