Cherohala Skyway

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > North Carolina
Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Tennessee

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 21 visitors

State: Tennessee
Date Submitted: March 1, 2004
Submitted by: (note: this route starts in TN and ends in NC) Anonymous
Motorcycle Road Length: 45 Miles

Written Directions

To take the Cherohala Skyway, just get yourself to Tellico Plains, TN which is located about 25 miles south of I-75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga, TN. From there you take Highway 165 east which at the TN/NC border will change names to "National Forest Road." Its a little difficult to describe at that point but I recommend you take a right on to Cherahala Skyway and take that only about a mile and then you want to take a left on to "National Forest Road" which will initially have you running north east but overall will take you east through the mountains and into Robinsville North Carolina. Overall, just make sure you follow the signs to Robinsville, NC.

Scenery

This cyclist's dream road connects Robbinsville, North Carolina, with Tellico Plains, Tennessee. It can be desolate at night and extremely dangerous in the winter months. There are no facilities other than restrooms for the entire 40 miles. There is little evidence of civilization from views that rival or surpass any from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Tellico River, at the lower elevations on the Tennessee side, is famous for it's trout fishing, and when the water is up, can be quite a challenge for canoers and kayakers. The river leads you to the sleepy town of Tellico Plains where you can gas your tank and feed your belly.

Road Quality

THE CHEROHALA, WITH ITS SWEEPING CURVES, WILL TEMPT YOU TO RIDE FASTER. THEN YOU WILL BE IN ONE OF THE TIGHTER CURVES WITH TOO MUCH SPEED. DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY CAN RESULT.

Roadside Amenities

Nothing on route but gas and eating at both ends.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Cades Cove web site - Great Smoky Mountain National Park web site

Nickname (optional) (note: this route starts in TN and ends in NC) Anonymous

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Reviewed by Guest on November 16, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Chip Bouton
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I couldn't say enough good things about this GREAT ride! Of course I've only been riding for 49 years and my opinion is that of a newby.
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Reviewed by GIJoe on January 3, 2012 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: GIJoe
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Great ride . . . after the crazy twisties of the Dragon and Devils Triangle this is a good road to get some wind in your face! Highly suggest you do this one if you are in the area!!
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Reviewed by Kafkasrecruit on December 29, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: kafkasrecruit
motorcycle_year: 2012
motorcycle_make: Heritage Softail
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Haven't riden this on two wheels but know the road and it is beautiful. Leafy and slick even for cars when wet in late fall. Beautiful area! The movie "Nell" starring Jodie Foster and Liam Nelson was filmed in the Nantahala National Forest, and the orignial Nell's house was on the Santeetlah. A big boulder on the east side of hwy 129 used to be painted with her name. It marks the spot above where she lived. "The Fugative" and "Witness" with Harrison Ford were also filmed in Graham County, North Carolina.
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Reviewed by jbarnes on December 23, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Doc Barnes
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: ULTRA CLASSIC
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Great riding folks. Much better than the Dragon. There is a wonderful little eats place on the west end on the side of a river. Not far from the Harley Store. Have fun on this one but be very careful.
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Reviewed by jbarnes on November 13, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: JL BARNES
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: ULTRA CLASSIC
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: WHAT A GREAT RIDE. Much better than the Dragon. Nice folks on the west end at a small eatery next to a beautiful stream.
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Reviewed by Pouge on October 6, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Pouge
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Road Star
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: How could you put three of the worlds greatest roads this close together?! This is a great companion road to "The Dragon" and the Blue Ridge Parkway. A beautiful ride in the clouds, and to stop at a rest area and hear the motorbikes roaring through the hills is music to my ears. A very well done road...
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Reviewed by Guest on January 10, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Brian Gravell
Comment: In 2008 my wife and a Group of 6 bikes rode to Tenn. to do the tail of the Dragon. that was a kool ride but it couldnt compare to the beautiful sights of the Cherohala Skyway its a ride you got to do before you die. Breath takeing . W9ERE GONNA GO BACK
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Reviewed by Guest on November 24, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Kenneth Harris
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: This is a fantastic road trip on a bike. It has nice curves and beautiful views of the mountains. Go in the fall, you wont believe the colors this place has. It has plenty of rest stops but make sure you have drinks all there is up there is restrooms, nothing else. Make sure you get gas before you start and give yourself plenty of time before it gets dark, no lights would be very dangerous at night. Please dont let this stop you from taking tis trip. Once you've been you will go back. This is a ride you will wont to do over and over, I know me and my riding partner will.
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Reviewed by Guest on November 1, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Steve
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Just rode this weekend. Probably wouldn't have given the road a 10 because at the highest elevation it looked like most of the trees were dead and ugly. From 4,000 feet down, the leaves were spectacular. The entire road was great for the motorcycle, and the great views topped the uglier ones.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 16, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Denny E
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Being from Michigan, I am not used to all the elevation changes, twists and turns, but I would not have missed this ride for anything. The scenery was fantastic. The road is in great shape. The people we met were friendly. It was a 10 out of 10 for sure.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 20, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Colin
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I made the trip this April along with my son in law to get away from a long Michigan winter.We had plans of riding the Dragon. Because of a rock slide the dragon was closed and we happened upon the "Cherohala Skyway". My wife & I usually spend a month every summer riding in the Rockies which is hard to beat but I must say the Skyway was a great start to a great year of riding. The views were spectacular with a hint of snow still on the ground and no leaves on the trees. We are planning a return trip mid July to spend a week. Yes the Dragon is on our agenda ! Colorado trip planned for September.
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Reviewed by Guest on June 19, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Judy
motorcycle_year: 1998
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Other
Comment: This is a wonderful place to ride. Great scenery, great places to ride from Tellico include Etowah, Ducktown, Helen Georgia, beside the Hiwassee, the Ocowee and over to Maggie Valley. Best place to stay is the Cherohala Motorcycle Resort on Reliance Road. Nice, clean, friendly people. Very Safe. Great Barbecue in Tellico Plains as well.
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Reviewed by Guest on March 27, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: jerry miller
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
Comment: dont miss this one, nice easy riding, prime scenery, good pavement, plenty of scenic pull offs,(bet ya use one to put a jacket on) we try to ride the smokies every 2 to 3 years, this road is always a must for us.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 14, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Scott L.
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: BMW
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Nice views and elevation changes. Be prepared for changes in weather. On a ride in during fall '08 the temperatures dropped to near freezing with a foggy mist on my descent. Visibility was about 10 feet and cold. Had to raise the visor and lower the windscreen to see.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 5, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Hoot
motorcycle_year: 2001
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Rode the Skyway Saturday, Oct 3rd from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains. This is a slower paced , more scenic route to travel. Several places to pull over and shoot pictures of the mtn's. Still a lot of curves and good riding. Lots of bikes travel this road also. The trees are still mainly green, just starting to change color. Road was clean, no construction, and no enforcement seen.
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Reviewed by Guest on October 4, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Marshall D.
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I vacationed in the area for 10 years and never missed a chance to ride the Cherohala Skyway at least once each trip. It's great riding surface, combined with the gentle to somewhat sharp turns, makes a most memorable biking day. Many bikers from all over make each pull-off stop a social experience worth repeating. Have fun and enjoy the magnificent views.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 7, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Fran McAndrew
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Especially nice after completing the "Tail of the Dragon," only a few miles away! The sweeping turns and ability to see the scenery make it great!
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Reviewed by Guest on July 13, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Deano
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: Ridden 3 times. Much better, I think, than the "Dragon". One of my favorite roads. D
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Reviewed by Guest on July 8, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: steve webber
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I rode the skyway june 29 2009. It was great. Met biker from all over at the pic. stops.This is a must.
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Reviewed by Guest on April 8, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: rick
motorcycle_year: 2002
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I am staying at Hunts Lodge 4/23-4/25/09 will update upon return
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Reviewed by Guest on May 17, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Melissa
motorcycle_year: 1994
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: A new place to stay in Tellico Plains has opened up that is motorcycle specific. It's called Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground. www huntslodge com Great place, super-friendly owners. They ride, too.
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