“twisting and turning driving road”
Deals Gap is a popular and internationally famous destination for motorcycle and sports car enthusiasts, as it is located along a stretch of two-lane road known since 1981 as "The Dragon". The 11-mile stretch of the Dragon in Tennessee is said to have 318 curves. Some of the Dragon's sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner's End, and Brake or Bust Bend. The road earned its name from its curves being said to resemble a dragon's tail. The stretch bears the street name "Tapoco Road" in North Carolina and "Calderwood Highway" in Tennessee and is signed entirely by U.S. 129. State Route 115 is included on maps, and is the name used by Tennessee Department of Transportation for highway contracts. Since part of the road is also the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is no development along the 11-mile stretch, resulting in no danger of vehicles pulling out in front of those in the right of way. It mostly travels through forested area and there are a few scenic overlooks and pull-off points along the route. The speed limit on the Dragon was 55 mph prior to 1992; it was reduced to 30 mph in 2005. The presence of law enforcement on the Tennessee portion has dramatically increased in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Tail of the Dragon is great! But this address is totally wrong for it. Please google before making the trek. It's in Robbinsville.
Road most of this on our motorcycles, it was so beautiful!! A great experience until we came upon a horrific accident involving a trike and a pickup truck pulling a boat. The people riding the trike were killed. All I can say is, be careful. As much of a thrill that it is to ride those curves, take your time, lives are precious.
Drove this and loved it! Traffic stopped both ways for mama bear and two little cubs. Saw an 18 wheeler (obviously lost) jackknife his rig trying to make a curve on it.
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Tail of the Dragon, Deal's Gap
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