Cheaha Mountain Skyway

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Alabama

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 5 visitors

State: Alabama
Date Submitted: September 1, 2007
Submitted by: Chris Frank
Motorcycle Road Length: 44 Miles

Written Directions

This route starts just south of a small town called DeArmanville, AL. From DeArmanville, take US Hwy 431 south. Go about a mile or two and you will come to the intersection of Route 281 and take a right and head west towards the state park on Route 281 (This is the beginning of this route). (WARNING: The Eastern most five miles of this road are extremely dangerous to motorcycles as the asphalt is covered in loose stone. Do not attempt any sharp turns or high speeds!) After you pass through Cheaha State Park Route 281 will dead end abruptly and you must turn around and go back through the park. Once you get through the state park and come off the mountain look for Route 49 and take it to the right (south). Follow 49 sown to the routes' end point of Lineville, Alabama.

Scenery

281 Runs along the spine of Cheaha Mountain in Eastern Alabama near Talladega and offers beautiful scenic views of 20 miles. The countryside is unspoiled by urban sprawl and is heavily wooded inside the Talladega National Forest. Wildlife abounds and it is not uncommon to see deer, hawks and other animals. Route 49 comes off the south side of the mountain and rolls through farms, meadows and small towns. If you like scenery, this route is for you!!

Road Quality

Route 281 sweeps along the back of Cheaha Mountain at a blistering pace. There are several slower switchbacks and decreasing radius turns that will make even the most experienced motorcyclist grin from ear to ear. The asphalt along 281 is pristine and well marked. 49 offers up several miles of tight twisties as it comes off the mountain on good asphalt.

Roadside Amenities

The state park store on the top of the mountain offers most of the basic necessities including gas. The Cheaha State Park has some fantastic cabins that include whirl pool Jacuzzi hot tubs. The are also a couple of gas stations in Lineville.

Additional Info

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

Nickname (optional) Chris Frank

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Reviewed by Guest on August 31, 2010 (1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Corey
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: This was a great ride, we did it this past weekend. I have to tell you though, the best ride was country road 12, just south of Cheaha park. Right as you are going down the mountain heading south, you will see a sign pointing to the right for Anniston/Talladega. This is a tight little old road with a TON of fun turns. I loved the beauty and fun of the main skyway, but this backroad was a ton of fun!
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Reviewed by Sooner805 on January 2, 2012 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Great trip with lots of scenery and curves. The road quality varies as some of it is paved with oil and gravel chips and has some loose gravel. The road has plenty of turns and hills and is a wonderful ride but like all roads caution must be used. The road has limited access so turning cars and driveways are limited. Our ride through here was in the December and most of the trees were bare but it is still a great ride.
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Reviewed by Guest on March 24, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Iris W
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Honda
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: Just a note: 281 does end but now you can take a small paved road to the left now (watch for loose gravel) and when it dead ends after about 2 miles, you can take a left to end up on 49 or a right to end up on 77. I just like to have a continuous ride and not have to back track so this road helps you do that.
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Reviewed by Guest on February 13, 2009 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rick W.
motorcycle_year: 2006
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I would like to this ride this spring but one biker forum says the Skyway road quality is terrible now. They mentioned "tar snakes". If the road is ok I will go to see the Dogwoods.
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Reviewed by Guest on August 22, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Larry
motorcycle_year: 2003
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Cruiser
Comment: The only thing that was no mentioned that should have is the state park has many things to see and do if your want to take a break, or even stay the night at the motel with pool or swim in the lake atthe foot of the hill and a great restaurant to eat at with a wonderful view out the glass side over the mountain
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