It looks like you had beautiful weather. Bright sunny skies. When we rode it, we hit clouds at the top. We had to ride at a crawl because you literally couldn't see the bike in front of you. We rode from the opposite direction and ended up in telico plains. We were starving also and stopped at that iron works grill. It was amazing.
I think I would call it the Died and Gone to Heaven Ride! Looks spectacular and particularly a fireside lunch at the lodge although the ice on the road spooked me.
I’ve been riding the Cherohala for over 25 years. It never disappoints and is my favorite road, followed by Angeles Crest Highway. Luckily I live three hours away from the Cherohala so I get to ride it often.
I drove the Skyway for the first time in August of '23. I ran it westbound in my 2016 F-150. Even in a pickup, it was fun. In early-October, I ran it on a bike for the first time. Eastbound this time on my 2023 BMW R1250RS. I left Murphy NC around noon where it was 70 degrees. At Unicoi Crest on the Skyway, it was 50. I took NC294 northwest from US64/74 across the state line to TN68 then 68 north to the Skyway. Hwy 68 is a lot of fun, also. The cool thing about 68 is the fact that it carries little traffic. If you're heading down from Robbinsville and really want to try something special, go north on US19/74 a few miles and take Wayah Road past Nantahala Lake and Wayah Bald and down to Franklin. Wayah Road is another favorite of mine. If you have time after you get to Franklin, try NC28 north to US74 near Bryson City. The opportunities for killer riding are almost limitless in this part of the world. Be safe!
Yup - the loop from Robbinsville down to Franklin and back up to Deals gap (129S, 74E, Waya RdS, 64E, 441BusN, 28N) is one I do every trip now. Once on 441 Business in Franklin there are signs saying "To 28 North" for those without a phone mount like me.
I have ridden it many times. At a few spots you have incredible views many miles east and west at the same time. It is beautiful at sunup or sundown! It has great turns, great pavement and it is one of my favorite rides!
My first trip to Robbinsville was in late March of 2022. I got to see the Cherohala like you did - with the frost in the trees near the summit. I will never forget it. I've been over many times now and always wondered what the Snowbird was like. Hate to tell you, though, you missed an amazing water fall right off 143. It's called Bald River Falls. Drop a pin there so you can see it next time. Also, I love the burgers & fries at the Tellico Beach Drive In. Nice video and commentary. For anyone who isn't in a rush to keep from starving, make sure you plan plenty of time to check all the pull-offs. They all have amazing, photo-worthy views on that road.
Beautiful! I have that on our 2024 travel plan...along with the Tail...and a couple days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thanks for sharing. I'm subscribing and looking forward to watching more of your stuff, and supporting a fellow small creator! ✨✨😊
Great video! This is one of my bucket list rides that I plan on crossing off this year. Going to check out the Ironworks Grill myself! Another small creator here, subscribed and hope to see more of your content!
yep its nice year round if you don't mind the temps and road conditions..winter though not so much a motorcycle riding road though a good part for the season due to ice and snow. I go riding up there all the time. There is a seasonal camp store at the indian border that has some stuff otherwise you gotta wait til you get to the other end of the skyway to find anything for food,drink, and gas....glad you had a great time up on the mountain. it's one of my favorite places to ride when im out riding.
The Skyway and the BRP are the best scenic rides. The curves on the Skyway are technical and fun as well. The speed limits are reasonable....not artificially low due to rider abuse....and it is not that chocked with riders or RVs. Joyce Kilmer is a nice side ride as is the River Road with the falls. There are few modern stops except in Robbinsville or Tellico proper and Tellico doesn't have too much...so lunch on entering. There is one campground/place to stay on the Skyway which is Indian Boundary Park (bathrooms and camp store) or Citico Creek (undeveloped dispersed). There are similar dispersed campsites on the river road about 8 miles past the Falls. Moonshiners and Lake Fontana is probably better for riders that like to stop at restaurants mid ride.
Snowbird Lodge at the NC east start of the Skyway offering lunch is a new thing. Stays there are 350 to 600 a night and I thought the restaurant was just for the provided breakfast to lodgers. I will consider it this spring ...thanks for the video
You have some of the country's best roads there. Cherohala, Tail of the Dragon, loop up through Vonore from Tellico Plains, back through the Dragon, then a wonderful little known road , turn off the Nantahala Whitewater putin spot, and head down to Franklin, goes by a yurt community, and Nantahala High School. There's also Hellbender, from Deals Gap back towards Bryson City.
I road the Skyway a few years ago, and I didn't get any wow factor at all. I thought the Foot Hills Parkway was a lot better and more scenic ride. Ride safe.
Great job on the video. You are right when you say you cannot experience the wonder and awe of nature unless you brave the elements. You cannot, however, have the same experience locked inside a cage on four wheels. Life lived on two wheels is special and I feel blessed to be able to do it. Even when it's cold, raining, windy, or just plain miserable weather. That's why I produce the content I do on my channel. Thanks for the tip. Can't wait to try this skyway out next month and stop in for a stay at the lodge.
Good report. Note The Skyway is not in the Smokys... Its in the Cherokee NF and Nantahala NF. Hince the name... Same w/ the infamous Smokey Mountain 500 route.... It never goes into the Smokys.
It's absolutely in the smokey mountains just not smokey mountains national Park. It's a range of mountains in the Appalachian chain. I'm in western North Carolina in the blue ridge mountains and just east of me is the Black mountains. Smokey mountain range covers a lot of territory
"Best" is subjective........define "best"..... To me, the best roads down here are not on CZcams. Hopefully it stays that way. Dont want our handful of curvy roads with great views, no hidden driveways, no cops, no car clubs and minimal traffic to turn into CSW,TotD, DW,DB ectect. Theyre all tourist traps, and it has ruined our once prestine rides
Black ice might not matter to you, but on two wheels it's not adviseable. Learning that going down especially on mountain roads and off the road or the side of the mountain, at a lesser traveled time of year could be tragic. Respect the conditions.!!
John, thanks for your concern. I was unaware of the ice until I was in it. There were no signs of warning. I had to choose between exiting the area east or west, both of which had the risk of ice that day. All I could do was back off the pace and get down smartly. Have you ever been caught with a dilemma like this? What did you decide?
Nice ride but you are in the part of the country that has tons of quality riding. Dragon and Cherohala too busy most of the time. Disney world for riders. Try to learn and ride the none published roads.
Ah yes…black ice. Those patches can be treacherous, especially with only two wheels. Sometimes you have to wait for the temperature to come up. Always pack snacks because the mountains are RURAL. Jerky, energy bars, fruit.
It looks like you had beautiful weather. Bright sunny skies. When we rode it, we hit clouds at the top. We had to ride at a crawl because you literally couldn't see the bike in front of you. We rode from the opposite direction and ended up in telico plains. We were starving also and stopped at that iron works grill. It was amazing.
Great adventure! Thanks for watching!
I think I would call it the Died and Gone to Heaven Ride! Looks spectacular and particularly a fireside lunch at the lodge although the ice on the road spooked me.
Thanks for watching!
Great ride along, man! Beautiful scenery with the ice on the trees too. I need to ride the Skyway again! Subscribed.
Thanks for watching!
I’ve been riding the Cherohala for over 25 years. It never disappoints and is my favorite road, followed by Angeles Crest Highway. Luckily I live three hours away from the Cherohala so I get to ride it often.
Thanks for watching!
I drove the Skyway for the first time in August of '23. I ran it westbound in my 2016 F-150. Even in a pickup, it was fun. In early-October, I ran it on a bike for the first time. Eastbound this time on my 2023 BMW R1250RS. I left Murphy NC around noon where it was 70 degrees. At Unicoi Crest on the Skyway, it was 50.
I took NC294 northwest from US64/74 across the state line to TN68 then 68 north to the Skyway. Hwy 68 is a lot of fun, also. The cool thing about 68 is the fact that it carries little traffic.
If you're heading down from Robbinsville and really want to try something special, go north on US19/74 a few miles and take Wayah Road past Nantahala Lake and Wayah Bald and down to Franklin. Wayah Road is another favorite of mine. If you have time after you get to Franklin, try NC28 north to US74 near Bryson City.
The opportunities for killer riding are almost limitless in this part of the world. Be safe!
Heck yeah that sounds awesome!!
Yup - the loop from Robbinsville down to Franklin and back up to Deals gap (129S, 74E, Waya RdS, 64E, 441BusN, 28N) is one I do every trip now. Once on 441 Business in Franklin there are signs saying "To 28 North" for those without a phone mount like me.
Really miss riding up there. Could totally feel it. Thanks for sharing. Subd. 👍🏻
Thanks for watching!
I have ridden it many times. At a few spots you have incredible views many miles east and west at the same time. It is beautiful at sunup or sundown! It has great turns, great pavement and it is one of my favorite rides!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing our sweet lodge, it’s such a special place! I hope you’ll bring your wife to stay soon! -Cori (your server)
You are too kind!! I can’t wait until next time!!
My first trip to Robbinsville was in late March of 2022. I got to see the Cherohala like you did - with the frost in the trees near the summit. I will never forget it. I've been over many times now and always wondered what the Snowbird was like. Hate to tell you, though, you missed an amazing water fall right off 143. It's called Bald River Falls. Drop a pin there so you can see it next time. Also, I love the burgers & fries at the Tellico Beach Drive In. Nice video and commentary. For anyone who isn't in a rush to keep from starving, make sure you plan plenty of time to check all the pull-offs. They all have amazing, photo-worthy views on that road.
Thanks for watching! I live in the dangerous world of avoiding a snack so I don't ruin my wonderful lunches! I'll try to find those falls!
Beautiful! I have that on our 2024 travel plan...along with the Tail...and a couple days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Thanks for sharing. I'm subscribing and looking forward to watching more of your stuff, and supporting a fellow small creator! ✨✨😊
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed!
Great video! This is one of my bucket list rides that I plan on crossing off this year. Going to check out the Ironworks Grill myself!
Another small creator here, subscribed and hope to see more of your content!
Thanks!
yep its nice year round if you don't mind the temps and road conditions..winter though not so much a motorcycle riding road though a good part for the season due to ice and snow. I go riding up there all the time. There is a seasonal camp store at the indian border that has some stuff otherwise you gotta wait til you get to the other end of the skyway to find anything for food,drink, and gas....glad you had a great time up on the mountain. it's one of my favorite places to ride when im out riding.
Thanks for watching! I can’t wait for my next visit.
The Skyway and the BRP are the best scenic rides. The curves on the Skyway are technical and fun as well. The speed limits are reasonable....not artificially low due to rider abuse....and it is not that chocked with riders or RVs.
Joyce Kilmer is a nice side ride as is the River Road with the falls.
There are few modern stops except in Robbinsville or Tellico proper and Tellico doesn't have too much...so lunch on entering.
There is one campground/place to stay on the Skyway which is Indian Boundary Park (bathrooms and camp store) or Citico Creek (undeveloped dispersed).
There are similar dispersed campsites on the river road about 8 miles past the Falls.
Moonshiners and Lake Fontana is probably better for riders that like to stop at restaurants mid ride.
Snowbird Lodge at the NC east start of the Skyway offering lunch is a new thing. Stays there are 350 to 600 a night and I thought the restaurant was just for the provided breakfast to lodgers.
I will consider it this spring ...thanks for the video
Definitely new! I hit it DAY ONE, and it's Sunday only so far. After freezing my bum off up there it was just what I needed!
You have some of the country's best roads there. Cherohala, Tail of the Dragon, loop up through Vonore from Tellico Plains, back through the Dragon, then a wonderful little known road , turn off the Nantahala Whitewater putin spot, and head down to Franklin, goes by a yurt community, and Nantahala High School. There's also Hellbender, from Deals Gap back towards Bryson City.
It's a special place for sure. Being from Michigan, when I'm in the area I hit all the roads I can!
“Oh dear”. Will have to find Ironworks on another trip!
Next time!
My cousin and I did this run on our BMWs and it was awesome.
Nice!
Yes, it's awesome, better than most roads around, but they all are really great.
They are so great!
I've ridden all over the world and not only is the Cherry-Cola the best road in the Smoky Mountains, IMPO its the best road in the entire world!
Thanks for watching!
Those mountains though!
Yeee!
I road the Skyway a few years ago, and I didn't get any wow factor at all. I thought the Foot Hills Parkway was a lot better and more scenic ride. Ride safe.
You need black ice for that extra kick!
Yes, that's ice and no, there ain't no food on the Cherohala Skyway! Enjoy the ride and get BBQ in Robbinsville! WooHoo!
Thanks for watching!!
Great job on the video. You are right when you say you cannot experience the wonder and awe of nature unless you brave the elements. You cannot, however, have the same experience locked inside a cage on four wheels. Life lived on two wheels is special and I feel blessed to be able to do it. Even when it's cold, raining, windy, or just plain miserable weather. That's why I produce the content I do on my channel. Thanks for the tip. Can't wait to try this skyway out next month and stop in for a stay at the lodge.
Thanks for watching!
It's March in the high elevation means morning black ice. Yea up the road a piece in the south means around the corner 😅. Y'all come back now,ya hear?
Love it!
Good report.
Note The Skyway is not in the Smokys... Its in the Cherokee NF and Nantahala NF. Hince the name...
Same w/ the infamous Smokey Mountain 500 route.... It never goes into the Smokys.
Generally speaking I guess!! At least I didn’t say Rockies!
It's absolutely in the smokey mountains just not smokey mountains national Park. It's a range of mountains in the Appalachian chain. I'm in western North Carolina in the blue ridge mountains and just east of me is the Black mountains. Smokey mountain range covers a lot of territory
"Best" is subjective........define "best".....
To me, the best roads down here are not on CZcams. Hopefully it stays that way. Dont want our handful of curvy roads with great views, no hidden driveways, no cops, no car clubs and minimal traffic to turn into CSW,TotD, DW,DB ectect. Theyre all tourist traps, and it has ruined our once prestine rides
Thanks for watching! Subjective is the whole idea. That's why the title asks a question. Enjoy!
Black ice might not matter to you, but on two wheels it's not adviseable. Learning that going down especially on mountain roads and off the road or the side of the mountain, at a lesser traveled time of year could be tragic. Respect the conditions.!!
John, thanks for your concern. I was unaware of the ice until I was in it. There were no signs of warning. I had to choose between exiting the area east or west, both of which had the risk of ice that day. All I could do was back off the pace and get down smartly. Have you ever been caught with a dilemma like this? What did you decide?
Unlessyou are no a rice rocket sport bike, the Skyway is more enjoyable and yes the ice happens alot
The iron horse can be slow. Food is good. Cooks are slow.
I'm glad I could help them out by not stopping!
Nice ride but you are in the part of the country that has tons of quality riding. Dragon and Cherohala too busy most of the time. Disney world for riders. Try to learn and ride the none published roads.
Yep! My favorite thing is to run popular roads in unpopular times. Rode the Dragon this same day and didn’t have any traffic!! Thanks for watching!!
Ah yes…black ice. Those patches can be treacherous, especially with only two wheels. Sometimes you have to wait for the temperature to come up.
Always pack snacks because the mountains are RURAL. Jerky, energy bars, fruit.
Thanks for watching!
I think the rough going through the park, the Great smoky Mountain National Park, All the way down to cherokee is the best road in tennessee
Cool!