How long is the Cherohala Skyway?

As MotoCurve routes it, Robbinsville to Tellico Plains is about 53 miles, roughly 1 h 30 min of riding without stops.

How high does the Cherohala Skyway go?

The route runs between about 870 and 5,430 feet above sea level.

Can I get turn-by-turn directions for the Cherohala Skyway?

Yes. Open it in the free MotoCurve planner, change the start to your home or hotel, and send it to the MotoCurve app for voice navigation on Android or iPhone. You can also download the GPX for a Garmin or another GPS.

NC 143 / TN 165 · North Carolina and Tennessee

Cherohala Skyway motorcycle ride

The Cherohala Skyway crosses the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, which gave it its name. Where the Tail of the Dragon is tight, the Skyway is fast and open: long sweepers, wide views and overlooks along the ridge, climbing above 5,000 feet.

Distance

53 mi

Riding time

1 h 30 min

Lowest

870 ft

Highest

5,430 ft

Plan this ride Download GPX

Opens Robbinsville to Tellico Plains in the MotoCurve planner on the Curvy style. Change the start to your home or hotel, then send it to the app for voice navigation.

Highlights

Big sweeping curves and long sight lines, a different ride from the Dragon next door.
Many overlooks across the Smoky Mountains along the high ridge.
Tellico Plains at the Tennessee end and Robbinsville at the North Carolina end both have food and fuel.

Before you ride

There are no services along the Skyway itself, so fuel up at either end.
It is much higher than the valleys at either end: expect it to be cooler, and fog or ice up top when the valleys are clear.

When to ride

Open all year, but the high section can close for snow and ice in winter.

Questions

How long is the Cherohala Skyway?: As MotoCurve routes it, Robbinsville to Tellico Plains is about 53 miles, roughly 1 h 30 min of riding without stops.
When can you ride the Cherohala Skyway?: Open all year, but the high section can close for snow and ice in winter.
How high does the Cherohala Skyway go?: The route runs between about 870 and 5,430 feet above sea level.
Can I get turn-by-turn directions for the Cherohala Skyway?: Yes. Open it in the free MotoCurve planner, change the start to your home or hotel, and send it to the MotoCurve app for voice navigation on Android or iPhone. You can also download the GPX for a Garmin or another GPS.

Put this road on your site

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<a href="https://motocurve.com/motorcycle-roads/cherohala-skyway?utm_source=embed"><img src="https://motocurve.com/embed/roads/cherohala-skyway.svg" alt="The Cherohala Skyway on MotoCurve: map, GPX and turn-by-turn directions" width="600" height="360" style="max-width:100%;height:auto"></a>