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Motorcycle Roads, Rides, Maps and More | OpenRoadJourney.com

Cherohala Skyway

Ride Rating:

6
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Ride Stats:

  • Distance: 54 miles / 86.9 km
  • Ride Time: 2-4 hours
  • Approximate Fuel Costs: $4.10
  • States Visited: Tennessee, North Carolina
Submitted by:
felon pro

This road was completed in 1996. One of the most scenic and fun to ride roads anywhere. Be sure to take advantage of side trips into the parks and to see Bald River Falls. Stopping at the market in Tellico Plains to buy items for a picnic at the park next to the lake was a memory that will last a lifetime. The turn-off for the falls is about 5 miles into your ride and is very well marked. It is a beautifull ride of about 6 miles back to the falls. You come back out the same way. There is a asphalt pull-off just across the bridge to park. If you go past this pull-off the road quickly becomes unpaved! Parking your bike in the middle of the bridge with the falls in the background makes for a great picture!!! Just time it so no traffic is coming. Most we have seen just sit and wait. Make sure to gas up and eat while in Tellico Plains. There are two place to stop and eat at the beginning of the Skyway, and then nothing until you reach Robbinsville. My wife and I have ridden this many times, and always look forward to bringing others who have never been.

This is a motorcycle ride in the states Tennessee, North Carolina. This motorcycle route has 6 scenery characteristics and other road conditions to help you plan your road trip. This motorcycle map was created by felon in July. Click here to see other Motorcycle Roads by felon

Rider Photos:

No Photo's Available

Ride Scenery:

ParksFall ColorsLakesForestMountainsRural

Best Time to Go

Spring, Summer, Fall

Road Characteristics:

Sweeping Curves RoadTwisty RoadHillyNo TrafficSmoothRare Gas StationsAdequate

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Previous Comments from other Riders:

rtcoker says:

Cherohala Skyway is a perfect motorcycle ride. It's about 55 miles from Tellico Plains, TN to Robbinsville, NC with no stops in between (be sure to gas up and eat up). About 90 minutes, or longer if you stop at all the great picture opportunities. If you have ridden the Blue Ridge this is very much like it with less traffic. Temps will cool down about 20 degrees from bottom to top when you hit the mile high elevations. Be sure to take a jacket, even in the summer. The best part of this road is that on either end great riding can be found. In tennessee highway 68 takes you south on great riding for about 30 miles to the Georgia border and great rafting opportunities on the Ocoee river. on the North Carolina side is the Joyce Kilmer Virgin forest with giant old growth trees. And in 20 minutes you will be at the Tail of the Dragon, for that 318 curve 13 miles challenge. Or not, by taking Hwy 28 through Fontana past the largest dam in the eastern US. Then Cherokee NC at the entrance to the Smokies is about 2 hours from Robbinsville, so you can pick and chose many great bike roads in between.
Sat Jun 29, 2019 at 3:22 PM

KC10FE says:

Great view at top. Join this with Tail of the Dragon and you have a weekend planned!
Thu Feb 18, 2016 at 10:38 AM

bamadave says:

correction...Bald River Falls
Sat Feb 2, 2013 at 10:50 PM

bamadave says:

I have rode the Cherohala 3x's and plan on a stop at Baldy Falls.
Sat Feb 2, 2013 at 10:49 PM

bikergrady says:

Excellent route, I try to do this ride once a year or when ever I am riding in the area.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM

BobMyers says:

WIfe and I have ridden this road 2 or 3 times per year, every year since the week day it opened in July of 96, never, ever a dull ride. We've seen wild hogs and eagles, hawks and about everything you can imagine in between!
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM

calabash says:

The North Carolina side of the road is newly paved and it is a delight to ride into Robbinsville now.

Also if the temp is near 70 it will be cold when you get to the top, usually about 15 degrees cooler.

The curves here are best described as sweepers with some tight curves in places.

There are some pull-off right in the middle of curves which can be dangerous at times. I have seen people that have pulled off and were chasing their dog that was standing in the middle of the road in the middle of a curve.

There are some sports bikes that will take the curves going 60-80 miles an hour so be careful and keep a watch in your rear view mirror.

Not as crowded or as dangerous as the Dragon. Just be sure and fill up with gas when you start either in Tellico or Robbinsville, there are no gas stations for about 50 miles.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM

cdm91501 says:


Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM

felon says:

I have ridden this road several times now, and we try something a little different each time, lunch on the river in the beginning few miles. Pack a picnic and take to the park down by the lake, etc.
I know why they spent all those years and millions to build!
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:10 AM

josephep2003 says:

The road needs a lot of work on the NC side. Great restaurant in Tellico Plains called Tellico cafe.
Fri Jan 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM






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