Foothills Parkway Ride (North) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

10.1
PDI
31.7 mi
DISTANCE
4,367 ft
GAINED
-0.32 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Tom and Carla Morton, Garland, Indiana

INTRO

The Foothills Parkway is a scenic and peaceful 32 mile ride in the foothills of the northern Great Smoky Mountains. This ride begins at Chilhowee Lake and includes three rises with a total elevation gain of 4,915' until reaching Wears Valley at the northern end of the Parkway.  There are nineteen scenic but unnamed overlooks along the Foothills Parkway.  

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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There are four ascents along this 32 mile route:  (a) 4.5 miles at 4.2% at the beginning of the climb, (b) 1.5 miles at 5.4% beginning at mile 8.5, (c) 3.1 miles at 5.8% beginning at mile 14.8, and (d) 3.2 miles beginning at mile 19.2 averaging 4.6%.  

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway: This is a two lane road in excellent condition with a narrow shoulder throughout most of the ride.

Traffic: Mild.

Parking: On the side of the road at the start of the climb (MapStreet View). 
Provisions:  At Marathon Gas at the start of the climb or in Townsend at the mid-point (4.5 miles south of Walland on Highway 321: Map), or 3.7 miles west of the finish at the Highway 129 store next to the helipad to medivac Tail of the Dragon victims 🤕 (Map; Street View), or seven miles west at Dragon 318 Market (Map). 
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
A scenic and challenging cycling route is to ride Foothills Parkway as an out-and-back, which is 63 miles gaining 8,370' (Map). 

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area. 

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NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

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ROUTE MAP
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Cycling Foothills Parkway

This is a national parkway traversing the foothills of the northern Great Smoky Mountains just north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Parkway is supposed to be 72 miles long, but its construction has stalled since it was approved in 1944 and less than half has been completed.  

        

Thank you Tom and Carla!!