Overall Route Rating
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4.61 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.61
94 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Oct 31, 2006

Rider Reviews

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Guest
December 29, 2007
I've been to this road twice in two years…
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dhornick
August 16, 2012
This review shows only from Stecoah to Deals Gap…
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Written Directions

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Scenery

Heading north on the Hellbender 28, you find a completely different road experience with sweeping curves and drop offs, all lakeside in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are few drives in America that can equal the views as you travel this beautiful byway along Fontana Lake in North Carolina. The 22 mile stretch is surrounded by water and dense, forested mountains. The 22 mile stretch ends at Deals Gap and begins what is then called the famous "Dragon."

Drive Enjoyment

These two lane mountain side roads are in great shape. There is little commercial traffic which leaves plenty of wide open space for the cycling public.

Tourism Opportunities

At the halfway point on this roadway, you come to Fontana Village at Fontana Dam, NC. The motorcycle friendly resort looks directly into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers a lodge, cabins, camping and even houseboats for rent. They have a great selection of restaurants, retail outlets and amenities for the vacationing cycle enthusiast. Many cycle clubs use this resort to base their events out of because the Hellbender 28 intersects the famous Dragon at Deals Gap. In addition, the resort has a great roadside pitstop called "Hellbender 28 Pitstop" with food, gear and plenty of great tee shirts. And, the route is not far from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and its great amenities.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

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Jim823
December 15, 2020
209 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
At the time that I rode this the locals and the T-shirts called this "Moonshine 28". I actually like this better than The Tail of the Dragon, on track with Cherracola Skyway. More casual ride and not everyone was not acting like it was some kind of a race. Stayed at Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge just off 28.
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tngoldwingpapa1
May 31, 2021
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!
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papafern
January 15, 2016
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.
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