ROAN MOUNTAIN

ROAN MOUNTAIN
The ride over 6000 foot high Roan Mountain from Tennessee to North Carolina is a well known classic motorcycle route enjoyed by many. There are so many great motorcycle rides found in the surrounding peaks it's usually part of a long day of riding. Here's a "quick" loop ride around the mountain so those on a schedule can enjoy the best of what it has to offer.

The ride starts and ends at the town of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, on US 19 E just 7 miles from the border with North Carolina. Follow TN 143 South into Roan Mountain State Park.

The road will wind along a river then start to climb as you cruise by the picnic sites, pavilions, and campgrounds.In 5.3 miles watch for Cove Creek Road forking off to the right. A small gas station sits across the road from it. Cove Creek Road cuts along a flank of the mountain in a rolling and twisty ride with occasional views of valleys and horizons few ever see. The road gets smaller and smaller as you near the state line and the pavement ends when you reach it.Crossing into North Carolina, there is a 0.3 mile section of road which is not paved, but typically in excellent shape. You're soon on tarmac again, and in the new state the road becomes Hughes Gap Road. Hughes Gap Road flows through a picturesque valley to intersect NC 226. Turn left onto NC 226 and proceed south for 3.9 miles. Turn left again when you reach Fork Mountain Road. Fork Mountain Roads leads you east on a 4.1 mile course through a narrow valley and ends when you reach NC 261. Turn left onto NC 261 to make the last and best leg of the loop with the climb over the mountain. The road twists and snakes through switchbacks as you gain altitude approaching the state line with Tennessee at the crest. There's a parking area here where you can enjoy the views and access the trails out onto the 6000 ft. high balds. It's all downhill into Tennessee from here. There are several good paved overlooks so you can savor the glorious long range views of the Volunteer State. Near the bottom of the grade you'll pass by the gas station across from Cove Creek Road and the remaining ride to US 19E is on familiar turf.(Source from Blue Ridge Rides)