Tail of the Dragon
US 129Deals Gap to Tabcat · North Carolina
Distance13.2mi · 21 km
Drive time32 minon the road
DifficultyExpert
ForestMountain
318 curves in 11 miles, America's most famous driving road.
The US 129 'Tail of the Dragon' at Deals Gap packs 318 curves into 11 miles along the Tennessee–North Carolina line, with no intersections or driveways to interrupt the flow, a place of pilgrimage for drivers and riders. Relentless and demanding; mind the crossing-the-line traffic, the photographers, and the off-camber bends.
Where it runs
Deals GapStart · North Carolina
TabcatEnd · United States
Character
Corners70bends
Tightness9of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Climb204 mtotal ascent
Summit623 mhighest point · 2044 ft
Range356 mtop to bottom
SpringSummerAutumn
Elevation
356 m rangeKnow before you go
- Relentless blind, off-camber bends
- Riders crossing the centre line
- Roadside photographers
Along the road
- viewpoint View to the dam
In these collections
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Tail of the Dragon.
