Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.67 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.67
24 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Oct 31, 2004

Rider Reviews

No Image Found
Guest
September 16, 2008
I live 5 miles from this road and have ridden it…
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
August 11, 2010
Wonderful road to ride. Very little traffic,…
Thumbsup

Written Directions

Exit 45 on Interstate 81 in Virginia puts you right on route 16 and in the town of Marion, VA. From here you simply go north on route 16 which turns north off of U.S.11 as you follow it north out of Marion and is an awesome road. Take it about 35 miles all the way up to the town of Stony Ridge. Continue on into West Virginia and check out The Berwind Lake Public Park (https://www.berwindlake.com/recreation.html) from about that point on Route 16 really snakes along as it hugs the river and takes you into the Route's end point in Yukon, WV.

If you liked that route, you also could start at Marion and go south and you will ride about 30 miles to the state line of North Carolina ... good ride but not as good as going north out of Marion on 16.

Scenery

Awesome mountains and countryside, 2 state parks, Hungry Mother State Park to the north of Marion, VA at exit 45 on I-81 and Grayson Highlands State Park to the south on 16 at exit 45 on I-81 towards North Carolina. North from Marion takes you to Tazewell, VA which is very near Burke's Garden.

Drive Enjoyment

From Marion, VA. north on 16 the pavement is well kept and smooth with some awesome scenery and plenty of twists and turns as you cross 3 mountains into Tazewell, VA. If you take 16 south from Marion, VA. at exit 45 off I-81 the road is scenic but not as twisty as the northern route out of Marion.

Tourism Opportunities

At Marion you will find the usual fair of chain restaurants and some local mom n pop places too. South on 16 there is not much till you get near the town of Mouth of Wilson near the North Carolina line. Going north after you leave Marion there is nothing until you reach Frog Level just outside of Tazewell, VA.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

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

Top Images

Share Your Comments ( 24 )
  Earn McR Points
No Image Found
Guest
March 18, 2009
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
To me this is better that the Dragon, road is much better, scenic, three mtns, longer, less traffic and great fun. If you enjoy roads like 129 @ Deals Gap and Shady Valley 421 you should really enjoy route 16. I normally ride this on Sundays to from Tazewell Va to Marion Va. stop at the sonic and head back. Lots of fun.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
Akumu
November 21, 2019
3916 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
The Back of the Dragon. What a great ride, if you can have a clear run. I was fortunate enough this year 2019 to have a completely clean run going north the whole way. Motorcycling Nirvana. Fortunately there are a good few pull-offs for if you get stuck behind the people that insist on doing 25 miles an hour on the road. And for those pull-offs there's plenty of nice views. I can only imagine how great it looks in October. The route can't be recommended enough.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
I RYD
January 30, 2017
157 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Run this from Frog Level to Marion, 9/6/2016. Back of the Dragon has great twisties and elevation change. Not a lot of civilization along this stretch.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful