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- Motorcycle Roads in Appalachian Mountains
- Claw of the Dragon - Outer Loop
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GPX FILE
1 in Southeast of 8 Routes 234 Miles 5 Followers 3 Rode it 28 Want to Ride it
Overall Route Rating
4.75 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.75
5 Reviews
Claw of the Dragon - Outer Loop
Motorcycle Route Author
By CoftheD (5 McR Points)on May 29, 2018
Rider Reviews
Nupe Rider
12 McR Points
February 12, 2021
This was a great ride. It was interesting to see…
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Fatboy58
2 McR Points
December 6, 2018
Have been riding around that area for 30 years,…
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Written Directions
Start at 105 E Grayson St, Galax, VA 24333, USAHead west on E Grayson St toward N Main St118 ftTurn left at the 1st cross street onto S Main St1.35 miTurn left onto VA-97 S/Pipers Gap Rd8.96 miTurn right onto State Rte 620/VA-97 SContinue to follow State Rte 6207.24 miTurn left onto State Rd 6903.20 miTurn left onto US-52 N13.4 miTurn right onto E Stuart Dr0.300 miTurn left onto Floyd Pike1.43 miTurn left onto VA-100 N18.3 miContinue onto US-11 N5.08 miTurn right onto US-11 N/5th St NEContinue to follow US-11 N6.90 miExit on the left onto VA-100 N/Cleburne BlvdContinue to follow VA-100 N9.45 miTurn left onto VA-42 W23.5 miTurn right onto US-52 N6.43 miTurn left onto State Rte 61413.5 miTurn left onto VA-61 W9.38 miTurn left onto E Riverside Dr3.26 miTurn left onto State Rte 16 Alt/VA-16 Alt S/Fairground RdContinue to follow State Rte 16 Alt/VA-16 Alt S1.60 miTurn right onto US-19 BUS S/US-460 BUS W/Crab Orchard Rd1.74 miTurn left onto VA-16 S9.38 miTurn right onto State Rte 6019.17 miSlight left onto VA-91 S2.11 miTurn right to stay on VA-91 S6.75 miTurn left onto Worthy Blvd89 ftHead southeast on VA-107 S/Worthy Blvd toward Preston LnContinue to follow VA-107 S8.39 miContinue onto Whitetop Rd3.59 miContinue onto St Clairs Creek Rd1.13 miContinue onto Whitetop Rd0.267 miKeep right to continue toward Whitetop Rd981 ftContinue onto Whitetop Rd6.12 miTurn left onto Co Rd 600/Whitetop RdContinue to follow Co Rd 6001.86 miContinue onto Whitetop Rd3.33 miContinue onto State Rte 6002.92 miTurn left onto US-58 E46.2 miTurn right onto N Main StPass by Wells Fargo Bank (on the right)0.333 miTurn left onto E Grayson St82 ftEnd 105 E Grayson St, Galax, VA 24333, US
Scenery
It would be a challenge for motorcycle riders to find a more beautiful driving trail than the scenic back roads of Southwest Virginia. Looping through the Blue Ridge Mountain range, The Claw of the Dragon is becoming one of the most popular destinations in the South for motorcycle enthusiasts.With the charming town of Wytheville, Virginia, as the trail's center or hub, the trail features loops totaling over 350 miles as it ventures over to the community of Marion to the west and Galax to the east. The drive meanders through parts of seven Virginia counties but is easily accessible from Interstates 77 or 81 as a starting part.Additional and extensive information is available on theClaw of the Dragon official website.
Drive Enjoyment
The loops really engage the rider to give them all types of riding from switch backs to leisurely riding down by the beautiful New River. This is just a taste of great riding in the Beautiful Southwestern Virginia the roads are state maintained and you may encounter some gravel from time to time that has been tossed up from the side either by a cage or rain.
Tourism Opportunities
Along the way, riders have the opportunity to stop at many interesting and authentic attractions. After a heart-stopping trip on the ride that follows Virginia Route 16, the two-lane ribbon over three mountains between Tazewell and Marion called Back of the Dragon, don't miss some of the unique attractions nearby. Harkening back to the grand movie palaces of yesteryear, The Lincoln Theatre is the home of the nationally syndicated bluegrass music television series, "Song of the Mountains." This beautiful facility is one of only three remaining Mayan Revival theaters in America. The General Francis Marion Hotel is a favorite of riders with its restaurant called The Black Rooster and a bar with 27 beer taps. Nearby, Virginia Sweetwater Distillery and Appalachian Mountain Spirits offer a unique taste of local flavor. Wolf's Barbeque is also a hometown favorite with several other restaurants also available. Other interesting attractions include The Lincoln Theatre, Hungry Mother State Park, and the Museum of the Middle Appalachians.Next, continue on to the Wytheville area. Many people will recognize this area as the location where two interstates converge, but there's a lot more interesting roads within the historic community. Riders will enjoy a challenging ride up Big Walker Mountain. As the 16-mile scenic byway makes it way to the top, the rider is immersed in breathtaking flora and fauna of each season. At the top, take arest at Big Walker Lookout, climb the 100 foot tower, and enjoy a snack in the country store. A variety of other local attractions such as Beagle Ridge Herb Farm, West Wind Winery, and Fort Chiswell Animal Park, offer the opportunity to enjoy some distinctive "homegrown" experiences. Wytheville's downtown historic district allows visitors to leisurely walk the streets and discover the history that has made this a town of hospitality for over 200 hundred years. Interesting shopping, museums, and the historic flavor of the 1776 Log House Restaurant are just a few of the must-see stops along the way. An evening of music can be enjoyed at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre or one of several music venues nearby. Wytheville has a variety of lodging accommodations from all-suite hotels to bed & breakfasts and cabins. A historic boutique hotel is now open in the downtown district as well as several new antique malls!The newest anchor community for The Claw of the Dragon is Galax. This Virginia city is steeped in the history of music. The Galax Old Fiddler's Convention held the second week of August each year has earned the community the distinction of the "World Capital of Old Time Mountain Music." Festivals and special events are held at the Rex Theatre and in the downtown showcasing the area's authentic sound. Capitalizing on the wealth of local artisans, the area is also home to the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts. A variety of classes offer a hands-on opportunity to explore an art or hone a craft with a local artist. The words "Galax" and "barbecue" are synonymous, so much so that the annual Smoke on the Mountain, Virginia State Barbecue Championship is held in downtown Galax each July.This is but a sampling of all the interesting things you can see and do as you ride The Claw of the Dragon and explore the interesting communities along the way.
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Nupe Rider February 12, 2021 12 McR Points Motorcycle Type : Touring This was a great ride. It was interesting to see all of the old coal mining towns on the ride. It was colder than I had expected, but all in all it was great to be out with the guy for some "wind therapy." Was this road review helpful? Thumbsup 2 riders found this road review useful
Fatboy58 December 6, 2018 2 McR Points Motorcycle Type : Standard Have been riding around that area for 30 years, and am looking forward to checking this route out! Love the local flavor. Some of my favorite memories are coming down a mountain road drifting in to a small hamlet . Was this road review helpful? Thumbsup 1 riders found this road review useful
NCScout16 July 4, 2018 0 McR Points Motorcycle Type : Touring Thank you for your detailed review of this route; I look forward to exploring it soon! Was this road review helpful? Thumbsup 1 riders found this road review useful
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