After doing the "Gap" I'm looking at some roads toward the BRP. I'm looking at taking the Foothills Pkwy from Chilhowee to rt 321. 321 to Bethel then rte 73 to 441 south to the BRP. How are these roads. Also are there any gas stations between Bethel and where the BRP begins? How is the southern route? Loks like rt 28 to 19 might work but this Foothils pkwy looks good?? Oh. 4 of us are planning the Gap run from Providence RI the 3rd week in September. Figure we will take the interstates there then the mountain roads back to Front royal Va.

 

I take it, by your directions, you are going down the Dragon then on to the BRP. If so, I wouldn't go the way you are intending. I'd start that way , but in Townsend, TN leave 321 and take Little River Road to 441 Then south to BRP Before entering Cherokee, NC. It's shorter, much more scenic, much less traffic (due to by-passing Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg). I personally would rather ride up the Dragon, past Fontana Lake, through Brsyon City, into Cherokee, north on 441 to the BRP...might not be an option for you though.

Have fun all routes are fun and scenic!

Oh yeah, all the roads you and I noted are in great shape.

 

DragonNester is right: Little River Road is a great ride! Hang a right at 441 and you'll actually do a spiral before you get to the BRP where the road turns back over itself. Nice ride. 441 can get crowded, but its still a good ride.

There is a nice pulloff or two on Foothills where you can look out over the Valley.

We are going up Sept 20 and can't wait. Glad to hear the roads are in good shape.

 

Just an FYI...according to all of my maps...Little River Road IS 73...so he had the route right the first time...but the town names seem to be a little off. Not sure where Chillowee or Bethel are. Like a few others posted...Townsend is the town that 321 turns into 73 (Little River Road). Sounds like he's doing the Dragon from south to north...ending up on Foothills Pkwy...where he would turn left onto 321 until it becomes 73 heading into Great Smoky Nat'l Park where it intersects with 441 at the Sugarlands Visitor Center...then heading south on 441 to BRP in Cherokee.

 

nscrbug. Yes that is what I have in mind. It seems like if I use different map servers I get different names. Anyway, We are going to do the Dragon in both directions. South then North. and then head east via the routes mentioned.

Again thanks to all. I really enjoy this site.

 

You want to turn right from Foothills Parkway onto 321 into Townsend, TN.