From left to right: It never fails that I find a lucky clover when out on a ride. Sunset on my way to Tellico on a July Friday evening. The bakery is one of the best parts about Tellico. Just look at that pizza!
Appalachians. Unlike some of the region’ s better-known viewpoints, Maple Springs feels surprisingly peaceful. Layers of blue-green mountains stretch toward the horizon with very little evidence of civilization. Bring a snack, drink some water, and give yourself permission to linger. The view deserves more than a quick photo.
From there, it’ s only a short ride to Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort. Even if you aren’ t planning to tackle the Tail of the Dragon, it’ s worth stopping for fuel, a restroom break, or simply watching the parade of motorcycles arriving from every direction. First-time visitors should absolutely experience U. S. 129 at least once and pick up the obligatory Dragon sticker afterward. If it’ s a busy weekend, though, I usually skip it. I’ ve learned that some of the best riding in this region happens away from the crowds.
Instead, I head south on North Carolina State Route 28 before cutting across Yellow Creek. It’ s a quieter route that reconnects with Joyce Kilmer while avoiding much of the congestion around Deals Gap. Eventually, every curve points back toward one road: the Cherohala Skyway.
No matter how many times I ride it, the Cherohala never feels ordinary. The road climbs effortlessly above 5,000 feet, weaving across mountain ridges with long sweepers that seem purpose-built for motorcycles. One overlook after another invites you to stop, each offering another panorama of endless Appalachian ridgelines fading into blue haze.
I’ ve ridden across the Skyway beneath brilliant blue skies, and I’ ve ridden it through dense fog where visibility shrank to only a few hundred feet. I’ ve crossed it wearing mesh gear while temperatures hovered near 90 degrees in Tellico, only to reach the summit in cold rain wondering why I
didn’ t pack another layer. On this ride it happened again. The bottom fell out of the clouds, and we were instantly soaked through our mesh gear. My rain jacket was left back at camp, of course, so I was stuck paying for my mistake. However, the frigid rain felt refreshing considering most of the country was in the middle of a July heat wave.
By the time the road descended back into Tellico Plains, I was mostly dry again and had worked up an appetite. There’ s only one place I want to end the day, and that’ s Tellico Grains Bakery. Walking through the front door, I was greeted by the unmistakable smell of fresh bread baking in a wood-fired oven. Riders fill the tables inside and out while locals stop in for coffee and pastries. Everything on the menu is excellent, but my favorite remains the wood-fired pizza topped with Benton County bacon – a smoky Tennessee staple that tastes even better after a full day on the motorcycle.
The ride itself covers roughly 140 miles, blending pristine pavement with easy gravel roads, waterfalls, mountain overlooks, old-growth forests, and some of the best scenery the southern Appalachians have to offer.
It isn’ t the fastest, most technical, or even the most famous route I’ ve ever ridden. But when I think about the kind of ride that leaves me completely satisfied – one that combines great roads, incredible scenery, a little adventure, and an unforgettable meal at the end of the day – this loop out of Tellico Plains is the one that always comes to mind. It’ s as close to the perfect motorcycle ride as I’ ve ever found, and it’ s without a doubt one of my favorite rides.
MORE INFORMATION:
• Cherokee National Forest: FS. USDA. gov / r08 / cherokee
• Nantahala National Forest: FS. USDA. gov / r08 / northcarolina / recreation / nantahala-national-forest
• Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center: VisitMonroeTN. com
• Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground: CMTrails. com
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / SEPTEMBER 2026 / 49