Foothills Parkway Ride (South) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

0.5
FIETS
31.7 mi
DISTANCE
4,898 ft
GAINED
0.3 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Carla and Tom Morton, Granger, IN, USA

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.  

There are three primary ascents on this route: (a) 5.1 miles beginning just before mile one and averaging 5.4%, (b) 2.3 miles at 6.7% beginning at mile 17.1, and (c) 3.9 miles beginning at mile 23.1 averaging 5.9%. 

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 a wide out on US 129 just west of the parkway (Map; Street View). 
Provisions:  There are no spots for food or beverages on the route,  but there are food and drinks 3.7 miles west at the Highway 129 store next to the helipad to medivac Tail of the Dragon victims 🤕 (Map; Street View), or in Townsend at the mid-point (4.5 miles south of Walland on Highway 321: Map), or seven miles west at Dragon 318 Market (Map), or there is a gas station with snacks and beverages at the finish of the route. 
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.
If you are up for a workout and scenic challenge, consider the 63 miles gaining 8,360' out-and-back of this route (Map). 

If you are nutso, the start of the Tail of the Dragon is only 3.2 miles from the start of Foothills Parkway South (MapStreet View). 

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

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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!!