Purists will tell you it is all about the ride, but there are also craft stores and antique stores, and great scenic views. The Dragon’s Den Pub and Grill is there, as well as The Tree Of Shame, a sobering tribute to those who did not conquer the Dragon it is made up of helmets and fenders and many other bits and pieces they left along the road. The first weekend in May each year, the Tail of the Dragon hosts “Mini’s on the Dragon” a gathering of Mini Cooper drivers that can include more than 800 of the cars. It has become known as an international gathering place for motorcyclists. Just expect that.ĭeals Gap is at the heart of the Tail of the Dragon it’s the gap in the mountains where North Carolina and Tennessee meet. The Tail of the Dragon’s thrills used to be known only by word of mouth, but the word is out and the route can be very busy. The curves in the road have some pretty colorful names to capture just how challenging they can be, including: Beginner’s End, Copperhead Corner, Shade Tree Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Brake or Bust Bend, Gravity Cavity, Sunset Corner, and Mud Corner. “318 Curves in 11 Miles” isn’t just the Tail of the Dragon’s slogan it is an invitation to twists, turns, bends and bows galore in a forested mountain setting on US 129, which has been called the most challenging drive east of the Mississippi.

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