The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the areas surrounding it, provides bikers with some of the most beautiful riding anywhere in the United States. From steep, winding passes through rock bluffs, to gorges running along rivers and backroads heading to little known waterfalls, this area has it all.
Your lovable Grey Beard Biker heads to East Tennessee every chance he gets. We are very fortunate to have close friends who know the area well and have helped us discover some beautiful places away from the traffic and tourists. One of these places is Bald River Falls. While it’s very close to the Cherohala National Scenic Byway, most of the tourists don’t notice the sign to Bald River Falls and drive right by River Road. Many times when we have visited the falls, we have only had to share its majesty with ten or twelve other admirers.
But Bald River Falls is only the destination. The journey is just as special. You get to Bald River Falls by riding east, approximately 4 miles, on Tennessee Hwy 165 – the Cherohala Skyway – from the junction of Tennessee Hwy 360, in Tellico Plains. You will have started climbing into the mountains by this point and will see a sign for River Road and Bald River Falls. Turn right on River Road and follow it approximate seven miles to Bald River Falls.
This section of River Road is paved, with beautiful views of the Tellico River, its bluffs and other small waterfalls. While not overly technical, there are plenty of tight curves and narrow bridges to navigate. While River Road continues past Bald River Falls, it does turn to gravel – so rider beware. Your lovable Grey Beard Biker highly suggests that you turn around at this point and ride back to the Cherohala Skyway and ride it into North Carolina. From there you can ride lots of other great roads like Moonshiner 28, the Tail of the Dragon or Wayah Road.
Now, get our there and do some riding!
The Grey Beard Biker™️
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@Biker4Life on Gab
