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Deals Gap - Nantahala Gorge
Turn left out of our driveway and stay on US #19 through the Cherokee Indian Reservation (did you know they now have a casino?) and Bryson City. While in Bryson City, check out the "road to nowhere", a curvy, scenic road started by the Goverment, then abandoned at the top of the mountain. Walk through the tunnel that ends at a hiking trail on a beautiful little pateau, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the area.
Once you're back on #19, continue on into the Nantahala Gorge, home of numerous whitewater rafting companies. While following the River which switches sides under the road a couple of times, be sure to look for the many rafts full of people enjoying this sport. Continue on #19 to Hwy #28. Turn onto #28 and wind past Fontana Dam and merge onto Hwy. # 129 and enter Deal's Gap, a favorite of most bikers for its 318 curves along its 11 mile length, and ride to Hwy #411. Head toward Maryville, TN, on #411, keep going through Gatlinburg, and turn onto Hwy #441 which will take you through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where you will reach elevations in excess of 6000'. There are trips you can take in the Park, but we'll tell you about those in a different tour. When you exit the Park turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and follow it to Maggie Valley (milepost 455.7) and come down two miles to the ABBEY INN. This tour is approx. 180 miles long and takes 5 hours, not including meal stops or side trips
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