One of the best biker destinations in the Smokies is Cades Cove Loop Road, a scenic 11-mile loop road where you can experience a bit of everything that the Smoky Mountains have to offer! You’ll want to allow at least 2 to 4 hours to explore Cades Cove at a leisurely pace, but will want even more time if you plan to hike some of the area trails! Here are the top 3 reasons to take a motorcycle ride along Cades Cove Loop Road:
1. Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
Since Cades Cove is a beautiful wide open valley, it offers some fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities! As you cruise along on your motorcycle, you’ll have the chance to see white-tailed deer, coyotes, groundhogs, turkeys, raccoons, skunks, and other critters! You may even get lucky enough to spot the iconic black bear on your journey, but just remember to keep a safe distance at all times! Consider bringing a pair of binoculars for your ride and scan the trees in the distance, as bears are often known to spend their days among the branches!
2. Unique Historical Buildings
Another reason to take a motorcycle ride along Cades Cove Loop Road is to see some of the unique historical buildings from the area’s early settlers! The first Europeans settled in the area sometime between 1818 and 1821, and Cades Cove offers the widest variety of historic buildings of any area in the national park! Pull over at the entrance to the loop road to pick up a self-guided tour booklet, which provides information about Cades Cove and the people who lived there. Some of the restored 18th and 19th-century structures that you’ll see along the way include several churches, a working gristmill, barns, and log houses!
3. Excellent Hiking Options
Take a break from your ride and stretch your legs with some of the excellent hiking options along Cades Cove Loop Road! If you prefer a relatively short trail, consider the Cades Cove Nature Trail which is about 2 miles roundtrip. While hiking along this trail, you’ll discover the area’s indigenous plant life and perhaps even see some wildlife! The 5-mile round trip hike to Abrams Falls also begins in Cades Cove, and you’ll want to allow about 3 to 4 hours to travel to the falls and back. While this hike is considered moderately strenuous, it is well worth the effort once you see the huge volume of water rushing over the 20-foot tall waterfall!
Where Bikers Love to Hang Out After Touring Cades Cove
After spending a few hours touring Cades Cove Loop Road, come on over to our Pigeon Forge bar to hang out with your fellow bikers! We offer all of your favorite brews, as well as a tempting menu of tasty bites to satisfy your appetite! You’ll also want to try our Iron Boar Lager, a local favorite brewed specifically with motorcycle riders in mind! We’re conveniently located just off the Pigeon Forge Parkway and across from Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson, so don’t miss the chance to cruise on over for the evening!
Check out the full menu at our Pigeon Forge bar today to see what you can look forward to after riding along Cades Cove Loop Road!! We hope to see you soon!
