12.9
PDI
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.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. 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 (Map; Street View).
Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area.
ROUTE MAP
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NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY
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