BRP from Roanoke, VA to the Southern end at Cherokee, NC

[Guest]

Has anyone ridden this entire stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway? I am wondering on the realistic number of hours that would take? Thinking of riding down, spend the night in Roanoke, then hit the BRP the next morning. Maybe stop for a night in Asheville, then complete the ride the next day on my way to Robbinsville. Or, I could reverse the trip. Head straight to Robbinsville for a couple days, then hit the BRP at Cherokee and ride north. Very flexible with that.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[cowboyup3371]

I rode it last summer from Skyline Drive all the way south and it is a slow ride both for speed limit and traffic reasons in some areas. Depending on what your intent is, expect a couple of days especially if you are going to stop and take a lot of pictures. Check out my Blue Ridge thread - https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?243085-My-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-Ride-2016

I started that ride in 2016 but wrecked then redid it this last year

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I actually did read your thread earlier. Great trip you had and the write up/pics!! I have a few places I want to stop along the way, but I mainly just enjoy the riding. Do you you think I can make it in 1 day to Asheville? There are 3 stops I am planning before Asheville. Thinking maybe 1/2 hr each stop. Then of course Lunch and a gas stop in there. Already changed my plans and looks like I'll be riding it on a Sunday. Not ideal, from the traffic issue. Thinking it may not be too bad until around Boone.

I rode it last summer from Skyline Drive all the way south and it is a slow ride both for speed limit and traffic reasons in some areas. Depending on what your intent is, expect a couple of days especially if you are going to stop and take a lot of pictures. Check out my Blue Ridge thread - https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?243085-My-Blue-Ridge-Parkway-Ride-2016

I started that ride in 2016 but wrecked then redid it this last year

 

[cowboyup3371]

It really depends on how you ride so I cannot say for sure but it would be a very long day. Virginia's speed limit is 35 and it won't turn to 45 until NC but then turns back to 35 for awhile. I highly suggest you don't try to speed. Of course, I also dealt with heavy fog the first day so YMMV. Also, the parkway is closed between mile markers 121 and 135 near Roanoke from the road damage that still isn't fixed. They detour you through Roanoke and you'll come out the south side of town. Great hill to climb (loved it) and it's fast but pay attention as the curves are VERY TIGHT in that area.

I will add, please treat the road as it's meant to be - a touristy look see; treating it like a race track will only get you into trouble between the traffic, cops, weather, and the road itself

 

[Guest]

Man, that is great info on the road closure. I was planning on staring around Mile Marker 120 from Roanoke, or the nearest entrance to MM 120. ha ha. Thank you! Nah, I'm not a racer. I do like to ride fast in the twisties, but I've slowed down in my old age. lol Getting a ticket on the BRP, I imagine, isn't fun at all. Being Federal land. edit: I have ridden on the BRP many times down near Asheville. Just never this far. So I do know how it is. Especially on weekends. Just wasn't sure on that many miles in a day.

After looking into it more, and your advice, I think I'll ride from Roanoke (South of MM 135 ;-)) to Boone for the night. Finish it up the next day. Going to spend 3 or 4 nights in Cherokee. So no rush. Thanks for the info man.

It really depends on how you ride so I cannot say for sure but it would be a very long day. Virginia's speed limit is 35 and it won't turn to 45 until NC but then turns back to 35 for awhile. I highly suggest you don't try to speed. Of course, I also dealt with heavy fog the first day so YMMV. Also, the parkway is closed between mile markers 121 and 135 near Roanoke from the road damage that still isn't fixed. They detour you through Roanoke and you'll come out the south side of town. Great hill to climb (loved it) and it's fast but pay attention as the curves are VERY TIGHT in that area.

I will add, please treat the road as it's meant to be - a touristy look see; treating it like a race track will only get you into trouble between the traffic, cops, weather, and the road itself

 

[GS1150Pilot]

It's on my bucket list to ride the whole thing, but I'd want to spend 3-4 days doing it.

 

[Chuck78]

The views from the BRP within an hour or so either side of Asheville are some of the best in the Eastern US without a doubt... Really starting just south of the Linville Gorge area if I recall?

I don't quite have the patience for the low speed limits and occasional tourist/pirate party caravans though, so I don't foresee myself anytime in the near future trying to ride the entire duration... But I most certainly do enjoy jumping on it for 45 minutes or 90 minutes when I'm down in the mountains near Asheville NC. There are so many amazing roads that come up and over the parkway and nearby mountains... All of my favorite routes end up being extremely convoluted zigzagging between the best of all the twistiest paved roads I can find...

Rt 80 a ways North of the BRP/Little Switzerland (north of a big four lane super slab) was one of my favorites in recent years. It is labeled as a scenic byway. Rural residential, not so much National Forest, but absolutely amazing graceful curves that I was scraping my boots on considerably around every other corner. The portion of 80 (Buck Creek Road?) that goes over the BRP was not nearly as exciting and had some deteriorating pavement the past two visits.
The Little Switzerland 226/226a loops got repaved last year however, and wow that was amazing... I've blown it off in previous years as being perhaps overrated, until the new pavement...

 

[Guest]

Interesting, I was reading earlier about Little Switzerland. Thought about checking that out. Amish country in Ohio, out past Berlin, Sugarcreek, Oh has a little Switzerland. And unless I missed the correct spot, it was sort of a joke. I thought about checking this one out. Thanks for the tip. And as you mentioned, the BRP, that is all we did in the past, a 20-60 min jaunt and off again around Asheville. That was many years ago. My current plan, I'll stop in Boone for the night and ride the rest of the way south on a Monday. I'm hoping that keeps traffic light on the Southern section.

The views from the BRP within an hour or so either side of Asheville are some of the best in the Eastern US without a doubt... Really starting just south of the Linville Gorge area if I recall?

I don't quite have the patience for the low speed limits and occasional tourist/pirate party caravans though, so I don't foresee myself anytime in the near future trying to ride the entire duration... But I most certainly do enjoy jumping on it for 45 minutes or 90 minutes when I'm down in the mountains near Asheville NC. There are so many amazing roads that come up and over the parkway and nearby mountains... All of my favorite routes end up being extremely convoluted zigzagging between the best of all the twistiest paved roads I can find...

Rt 80 a ways North of the BRP/Little Switzerland (north of a big four lane super slab) was one of my favorites in recent years. It is labeled as a scenic byway. Rural residential, not so much National Forest, but absolutely amazing graceful curves that I was scraping my boots on considerably around every other corner. The portion of 80 (Buck Creek Road?) that goes over the BRP was not nearly as exciting and had some deteriorating pavement the past two visits.
The Little Switzerland 226/226a loops got repaved last year however, and wow that was amazing... I've blown it off in previous years as being perhaps overrated, until the new pavement...

 

[Guest]

https://diamondback226.com/details/

This is near Little Switzerland. Sounds must do.

"He's old enough to know what's right
And young enough not to choose it"
Rush.

 

[Chuck78]

Yes that is the route that I was talking about with 226 and 226a...
Rt 80 north of Rt 19E was also a top pick as of my past few trips down that way. 80 from 19E north to 226A near Bakersville. North a ways from Little Switzerland but not too far. If you have a reason to stray a little further away, I recommend that, but I understand if you are on a time constraint. So many great roads, never enough time!

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips and the closure around Roanoke. As of now, my rough itinerary is:
Day 1: Ride down to Roanoke, spend the night. Day 2: Head south and hit the BRP around MP 136 (Thanks Cowboy). Got a few stops planned, but nothing to time consuming. Mabry Mill, a few over looks. I'll stop in Boone, which looks to be about MP 290 ish. Spend the night there, check out Blowing Rock, etc. Should be an easy day. Day 3: Hit the BRP south, stop off around Little Switzerland. Ride the Diamond Back loop (Thanks Chuck). May check out the town also, we'll see. Get back on the BRP south. Maybe a few more stops, but I've ridden that area before several times, around Asheville. Will see how time goes. I will be spending 3 to 4 nights in Cherokee, so if I need to hop off the BRP and bee line to Cherokee if it starts getting dark, that's fine. I can ride the rest of the BRP the next day.
As for my time in Cherokee, lol. Yeah, got lots of plans. Figure Foothills Pkwy. May make a loop of that , the Dragon and the Cherohala Skwy. Want to make sure I get my time on 28. LOVE that road. Another day, I'll ride thru the park, maybe over to Townsend. Got no real plans for those 3 days, just riding and enjoying life.
If anyone has other suggestions, please share. Thanks all!!

 

[Chuck78]

Sounds like a fantastic plan! I'm envious!
If you have time towards the leisurely end of your trip, North Carolina 215 and US 276 criss crossing over the Blue Ridge Parkway like a really nice figure 8 loop.

Also, if it is open when you are passing through, the cafe in Little Switzerland makes a real nice stop. There's a bookstore / coffee shop next door. It's at the top of 226a right where it nears the Parkway and runs parallel to it over to 226. Directly across from the post office.
I just checked and they do appear to be open for the season, but closed on Tuesdays. Hours are 11-4 pm.
https://switzerlandcafe.com/

 

[bwringer]

The poop straight from the NPS on the closures:
https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Yeah, you could plonk from one end to the other in a couple of days, I guess, but why would anyone want to do that unless you really enjoy minivan spotting and pirate parades?

I will echo the above; the BRP's popularity, ridiculous speed limits, and often zealous Federal enforcement (not to mention the legendary un-friendliness of the Gendarmes in Virginia) do not make a fun combination for longer jaunts. You'll definitely want to avoid all but short stints on the BRP, especially on weekends.

Anyway, if you think of the BRP more as the "spine" connecting "rib" routes to either side, you can use it as the basis for any number of absolutely epic riding days in the mountains. So instead of just plodding from one end to the other in a couple of days breathing Hawg fumes, I'd take five days or a week or more.

There's also lots of hiking at various points if all the Federale radar guns are starting to make your brain warm and mushy.

Much the same goes for the Cherohala; the really fun parts are all the unpaved roads off to the sides.

 

[Chuck78]

I have hardly been on the BRP in Virginia, but I'm very familiar with how strict their traffic enforcement regulations are especially regarding offenses that motorcyclists can commit (SPEEDING!). I believe anything over 5 mph above the limit is considered Reckless Operation in Virginia. In Ohio, 20 mph over the limit constitutes a Reckless Operation charge, which is a hefty 4 points against your license, of a maximum allowable 12 points. Or maybe you lose your license at 12 points accrued within 2 years?

Honestly I think I've only seen police with radar guns out one time in my many visits to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the North Carolina area which have all been primarily during prime riding season.
Have others experienced a heavy frequency of speed traps on the BRP in this vicinity?

 

[Chuck78]

One funny story about my bike tuning experiences at 5,000+ feet on the BRP... I changed engine configurations but did not spend much time rejetting my mains at home, 900 ft above sea level, before departing on my road trip... I noticed I was lacking in passing power on the BRP. I stepped down 2 sizes on main jets. Yet still, this was not enough, as my friend was no longer following 100-150 ft behind me after many long hours riding per day. Eventually at our next stop, he said the reason he was niw consistently 500 ft back was because of the fumes of my bike running too rich, particularly on the high altitude sections! Oops...

 

[Guest]

Good points Brian. I am basically using the BRP as a more scenic route to Cherokee. Thought it'd be fun. I think I will have plenty of time once I get to Boone to check out their local twisties. Plus I'll have 3, maybe 4 days of riding to do, since I'm staying in Cherokee. Should be able to hit all the really fun stuff. Saving your SE rally route maps also.

Anyway, if you think of the BRP more as the "spine" connecting "rib" routes to either side, you can use it as the basis for any number of absolutely epic riding days in the mountains. So instead of just plodding from one end to the other in a couple of days breathing Hawg fumes, I'd take five days or a week or more.

There's also lots of hiking at various points if all the Federale radar guns are starting to make your brain warm and mushy.

Much the same goes for the Cherohala; the really fun parts are all the unpaved roads off to the sides.

 

[Guest]

DOH! lol Not the same thing, but a guy and myself travelled to Harrisburg for work several years ago. He rides a Harley. Open pipes. On the way home, I stayed behind him for maybe 10 miles. I had the Concours at that time. Told him, and he knew, that it was too loud behind him. lol

One funny story about my bike tuning experiences at 5,000+ feet on the BRP... I changed engine configurations but did not spend much time rejetting my mains at home, 900 ft above sea level, before departing on my road trip... I noticed I was lacking in passing power on the BRP. I stepped down 2 sizes on main jets. Yet still, this was not enough, as my friend was no longer following 100-150 ft behind me after many long hours riding per day. Eventually at our next stop, he said the reason he was niw consistently 500 ft back was because of the fumes of my bike running too rich, particularly on the high altitude sections! Oops...

 

[Guest]

While I'm at it, any suggestions for Day trips out of Cherokee are welcome. I have 1 day sorta planned. 74 out of Cherokee to 28 up to Deals Gap. Prolly ride the Dragon up and back, buy my ceremonial pink dragon and move on. Then ride the Cherohala towards Tellico. This would be a week day, so hoping the traffic and LEOs won't be abundant. I'm undecided on this section of my plan. Another option is to skip the Dragon at that point, ride 129 S From Deals Gap to the Cherohala. Catch 360 N out of Telico, up to 411 N to 72 S and ride 129 south, thus the Dragon on the south run. I can't tell if 360 N out of Tellico is pavement or gravel. ha ha. The FJ can handle gravel, but eh. Anyone have experience on that 360 N out of Tellico?
After those decisions, I would head down 129, catch 74 N at Topton. Catch 28 south, as I just can't get enough of 28. Prolly 28 to 23 N and meander back to Cherokee.
As for another day, I figured the same route to the Dragon, ride it North and catch the Foothills Pkwy to Townsend. May do some sight seeing, catch Cades Cove. I am fairly familiar with that area, Townsed/Pigeon Forge, as we have rented cabins around there before. I know some cool back roads up into the park, bypassing all the tourists crap. But open for suggestions. I would prolly end up riding the main drag thru the park back to Cherokee. But any suggestions would be great.
Day 3, not got there yet.

I should change the name of this thread to "Help Me Plan my Twisty Get Away to NC".

 

[bwringer]

Yes, 360 out of Tellico Plains is paved. The area is pretty populated, so it's going to be more of a cruise.


Cades Cove is best avoided if at all possible. It's a bleak inescapable hellscape of brainless minivan pilots from Nebraska going .00001 mph and stopping dead in the middle of the road whenever exotic creatures like squirrels or deer are spotted.

And yes, black bears are often spotted, which leads to an instant half-mile backup as people abandon their vehicles in the middle of the road to get as close as they can to the wild animals with claws, teeth, and immense strength. If there are bear cubs, there will instantly be a couple dozen people competing for their Disney moment, waving corn chips, cameras, and Slim Jims at the beasts... it's honestly pretty terrifying, even if you're not sitting on an overheating motorcycle with your tasty flesh exposed. It's kind of amazing we don't read daily news stories about eviscerated tourists.

I'm not exaggerating in the slightest; Cades Cove used to be the route to a few interesting dirt roads (AFAIK, Parson's Branch is still closed, and it seems unlikely they'll ever re-open it; Rich Mountain road back to Townsend is neat, but not worth the aggravation), so I've been on it many times while dual-sporting. Overall, it's a horrible experience and not even that incredibly scenic.

I guess you know what 441 is like already... I've always done my absolute best to avoid it unless I'm headed to a hiking trail or something. As long as you're fine with breathing diesel and staring at RVs at 5mph for a few hours, it's fine. It is mighty damn scenic, and you'll have plenty of time to gawk!


South of Townsend, off 74, Wayah Road and many or most of the surrounding roads are paved and a lot of fun. Some parts can get a lot of traffic. Many are paved but only one lane, so you have to be super-careful about sight lines. There are tons of great roads around and through Franklin, Highlands, Cashiers, etc. and down into Georgia.

 

[Chuck78]

Ahhhh yes...Wayah Rd!
Go that direction!

Also, I just remembered River Rd through Cherokee National Forest... This sort of runs parallel below the Cherohala Skyway down far below it (elevation) whereas the Cherohala is like a ridge running BRP type road but more wide open turns that you wouldn't have to slow down below 90mph to navigate 97% of them... After jaunts on the BRP, & tons of amazing WV / VA / NC / TN tighter twisties and breathtaking scenery starting from Southern Ohio & running the course of nearly my entire route by the time I usually make it to the Cherohala (usually right after US129), I'm over the Cherohala with not as tight of curves and more similar views...

So River Rd is my preferred last run through that area, typically on my week long journey to Barber Vintage Motorcycle Festival every October, usually my last mountain motorcycle camping road trip of the year every season, ending the 1st weekend of October.

River Rd is jaw dropping in a remite back country way, following an amazing boulder filled bedrock bottom river with abundant cliffs and rock outcroppings the entire way... And a couple of very epic waterfalls nearly roadside. I believe one is called Bald River Falls?
If starting at the Western end of the Cherohala Skyway, River Rd starts/ends not far into the Cherohala on the south side of the Skyway - quite a good return trip option to Cherokee I'll add!
Eventually River Rd heads south deep into the forest and away from the Skyway, but you'll have opportunities to run back up to the Skyway before the two part ways. I believe there's also a River Rd East extension or something of that sort, which goes under the Cherohala Skyway at some point by a National Forest service building, and then you can link back up onto the Skyway, but that route is partial gravel iirc?

Definitely look into this scenic gem of a paved forest service road... It took my breath away in a scenic backcountry sense...
Keep in mind, it's not a twisty racetrack whatsoever, but does have nice pavement.