Southern Road on List of Most Jaw-Dropping in the US

Outside Magazine just named this road on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line one of the most jaw-dropping in the US.

What road? Hard core motorcycle and performance car owners already know this one. I have yet to cruise this beauty on my bike, but I’ve seen my share of photos of wrecked cars and motorcycles alongside the shoulder and in the trees, complemented by a healthy dose of road rash. Even so, it’s long been considered one of the best motorcycle roads in the country.

The 11-mile section of highway we’re referring to is on US Highway 129 near Bryson City, NC, affectionately called Tail of the Dragon. If you keep around or below the posted 30MPH speed limit, the whole thing should take you about 30 minutes to complete.

Many of the 300+ curves have cool names like Mud Corner and Wheelie Hell, necessary for describing locations without any crossroads or major landmarks. And as a way of letting folks know where you’ve run off the road and need help. Let’s keep it on the roads, folks. I don’t have an exact number of total fatalities, but in a ten year stretch there were 27 lives sacrificed to the Dragon.

It will take you just over 3 hours to drive there from Atlanta. For a scenic drive take 400 N through Dahlonega to Highway 60 North to 129. From Asheville take 74 through Bryson City.

I should add, avid bicyclers also love the Dragon. Reports indicate they’re not too bothered by the gas-powered two-wheelers – but watch out for those trucks!

You can see all the roads in this list by clicking here.