This last weekend the new "Missing Link" section of the Foothills Parkway opened. Its roughly a 17 mile stretch that begins where the Foothills parkway ended near Townsend TN and goes all the way to Wears Valley or essentially Pigeon Forge TN. I Traveled it the day it opened. Although there were like 13 million people there it was Absolutely Awesome. Truly the best views that I have seen in that part of the country. The views are better then or equal the best views from the BRP. The pavement is pristine and the layout of the pull offs for picture taking and viewing the mountains are well thought out. If you have traveled across the Linville Viaduct on the BRP this road has the same thing only better and longer. One section has like 8 or 9 bridges. I was impressed and loved the new road. Now to just travel it with very few people on it. A great new addition to that area. When the foothills parkway is complete it will connect with I 40.
So now if you were to stay in the area and leave early in the morning you could travel the Cherohala Skyway, stopping at Bald River Falls and then continuing on to Telico Plains for gas and snack then back to pick up 360 to 411 to 72 to the bottom of the foothills parkway and the Dragon. You could ride up to Pigeon Forge on the foothills parkway for lunch then ride halfway back to Townsend TN on the foothills parkway. Turn left and go to Cades Cover or to Clingmans Dome and then back to the foothills parkway and take it to the bottom of the Dragon. Turn left, do the dragon and then down to Tapoco Lodge for dinner and then back to Robbinsville or wherever you stayed. If staying in Robbinsville. This is a long day of riding and could easily be divided up into 2 days of riding. But absolutely some of the best roads in North America. Especially on the east coast.
The new "Missing Link" section of the Foothills parkway truly is ICONIC and is a fantastic new addition to the already great rides in that area.
Google "Missing Link Foothills Parkway" There is a small video to watch.
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