going... to gatlinburg week of july 4th to get married and do some riding....my third trip to the area..

of course will hit the dragon...cheraola skyway and hywy 28 that follows river up to base of dragon(my fav road)

anyone got any other ideas for rides for us and maybe good steak house that doesnt cost the bank....LOL.... or good waterfalls in area?

i just love the area up there...spent most of my life in calif.....the area reminds me of the sierras....without the cliffs

 

I would suggest the Trout House if you cannot find a steak house. As far was waterfalls take the BRP out about 15 miles west to Laurel falls.

 

Last year we ate at a place in Pigeon Forge, Bullfish Grill. Really good. When the waitress took my order for a ribeye medium rare, she asked if I needed steak sauce. I told her I certainly hope not. She said you will not be disappointed. Everything was awesome.

The best part, we rode up and people told us there was a 40 minute wait. We actually had two guys leave. We walk around front, people sitting everywhere waiting. We are all in leather, one of our guys goes in tells them a table for eight. The hostess asked if the big table was ready, and it was, my buddy comes to the door and hollars out come on lets eat.

 

Americaridesmaps.com.lots of great riding. A waterfall map is a available I believe. Lots of traffic that week, be safe and check out that website

 

I don't know which direction you will be riding the Cherohala but coming from Tellico Plains, about 3-5 miles on the Skyway is a right hand turn that will take you to Bald River Falls. Not the biggest but still really pretty and a lot of folks visit.
The turn is marked but you have to pay attention.

 

Sorry I can't remember off the top, but near Gatlinburg there a small road, not much wider than a golf cart road at a golf course, anyway it's called the wildlife loop. I stumbled onto it a few years ago about mid-day. It's a slow 10 mile ride and very beautiful. It was a hot I mean very hot day so I didn't expect to see much wildlife, but saw close up more whitetail deer than I could count. Then to my surprise I saw a black bear walking along in a field maybe 80 to 100 yards away. It always amazes me just how black and shinning the coat is on a healthy black bear. It had to be well over 300 pounds. I wish I could be more help, but ask around and somebody will have the directions to the wildlife loop.
Have a good time, it's a beautiful area and you've picked some great roads to ride.
chappy

 

Just came back today from 2 weeks in Gatlinburg.
We went to ride all over the area and ride we did .
Gatlinburg as a city is not worth the time of day but in a heart beat your out of twon and any direction any rode is a great ride.
We had made arrangements last winter for the trip and the place we wanted to stay.
But we noticed every place had opening and offer big discounts for walk in lodging. Pigeon Forge had some real low prices being put up .
This maybe the Road your talking about is Roaring Fork Motor nature trail road you take it right out of Gatlinburg. Zoom in on this map you will see it.

 

This road is called Cades Cove Loop. From Gatlinburg to Cades Cove is a very nice ride. This is a must ride everytime I go. I like to go very early in the morning at opening to beat the traffic. I have developed a system to get the cages off my back. I tell my buddies that if they see me stop in the road and point or pick up the camera and it looks like I see something to play along and start pointing and pretend to take pictures also. Everyone behind will stop to see what you just saw and take pictures. This usually buys me a few minutes.
Was up there a few years ago and stopped at the visitor center near Cherokee. The old lady in there heard us talking and say to me you from the river. I asked here what? She say I'm from Thibadaux, La. been here for about 10 years and I reconized your accent, you from the river. I was suprised and said yep sure am.

 

Hi Smitty, I think that is the little Rd I stumbled onto. Thanks for helping me with my memories. When I'm away and in the beauty of such areas as we're talking about, Ilike to set my GPS for some point on the map that's maybe 25 miles away and then select shortest distance and allow dirt roads but avoid tolls, interstate, and all that makes the ride just another ride. And Man, I've been and seen sights that I would have not only never seen but never could believe. The stories I could tell when my best friend and riding buddy, Delta and I have from doing that. GA, NC, TN, KY and WV is just a few states where we had no idea where we were (lost by GPS). Totally enjoyable never a panic when we need gas or get hungry or need to sleep. Just got to say, I love riding and on roads I've never seen or could ever find again, simply the best. Then there's the ride home. When I'm asked, where am I going, I answer, Home. Best part there's never a half way point where the ride is X miles from home and the same X miles back to home. You just know at some point that home is just down the road. If you haven't experienced it before, try it on at least once in your life the longer the better.
Sam aka chappy

 

You can take what is called the Waterfall Ride which is a long ride but worth it. It is located from Bryson City NC on Highway 28 south to Highland NC. Check it out on Google Maps and see if you are interested. It is a full day ride but a very scenic one for sure.