US Route 421 - KY, VA, TN, & NC

AKA: The Snake

Lexington, KY - Deep Gap, NC

Distance/Driving time: 301 miles/6h, 45m

County(ies): Sullivan, Johnson

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• Just rode 421 from Fayetteville NC to just south of Valparaso Indiana. more...
  We rode the Mountain City to Shady Valley twice in three days while visiting the area. I must say it was a beautiful ride with tons of twisties, glorious mountains and valleys. Have ridden 43 of the lower 48 states in the last 5 years and my wife and I decided this was the most pleasurable trip we have taken of all. We judge rides by the criteria of what can we experience vs. how much it cost us to do it. We live in Wisconsin and have found that we can get to the Carolina's quicker and stay less expensively then to go the Teton route. I am looking forward to more excursions along the various parkways leading off the 421. If you get to Asheville NC stop at the Days Inn West, Donna is the hostess there and she makes a wonderful beef noodle soup for her guests in the evening, clean rooms and charming employees at a reasonable cost. - Doug Bennett, Platteville, Wisconsin (7/12/12)
• This road is a blast to ride with lots of twisties and switchbacks. more...
  Beautiful scenery to boot! Stop in the country store half-way through in Shady Valley, TN. - Rider from Mt. Pleasant, SC (5/22/12)
• I live relatively near this road so I have the opportunity to ride it frequently. more...
  It truly is one of the best roads that I’ve ever had the opportunity to ride on. I had heard so much about 'The Dragon' which is about an hour and a half south of where I live, so I had to go down and ride it at least once. Well, in my opinion, 'The Snake' is just as good a ride and it’s a lot closer to me. I’ve ridden it a lot and probably will get together with some friends (one of which has never ridden 'The Snake' before) and ride it next weekend. I always look forward to stopping by the store in Shady Valley. Very biker friendly. - Michael from Jonesborough, TN (7/31/11)
• Extended road trip from Columbus, Ohio to experience the thrill of Route 421; we arrived in Mountain City, TN. more...
  Late afternoon, checked into Prospect Hill B&B, which was absolutely beautiful, and spent the remainder of the day and the next day riding on "The Snake" otherwise known as Route 421. We had an absolute blast! Route 421 is awesome, with breathtaking scenery, and more than 400 curves. I felt like I was on roller coaster. We rode through Shady Valley and the Country Store, which was also a neat experience and one that I would recommend to all riders. The roads are very nice and lots to see; making the trip definitely worth it. - Jeff & Denise Brooks (7/26/10)
• Rode for 7 days out of Bristol on US 421 to Shady Valley and points all around the area (TN VA NC)...this is an awesome place to ride!! more...
  There is something for everyone, twisters, sweepers and beautiful views everywhere you ride. The locals were very friendly and helpful. You will not be disappointed riding US-421! What a great time. - Steven Smith (5/5/10)
• Hilton, Va, home of the Carter family and country music. more...
  - Rider from Blountville, TN (4/17/10)
• Rode Route 421 from Richmond, Ky to Bristol. more...
  Lots of little towns and nice county side roads, and a few National Forests. A few mountain passes. If you pass thru on a Saturday, and you like old bluegrass/country/folk music, The Carter Family for a live show every Saturday Night, in Hiltons, Va. ( I missed it this year, will most likely go next time.)
  Stayed overnite to get a fresh start at 'The Snake'. Was up and on the road at 07:00 AM. Ran 421 to Boone and looped around 321 back to Bristol. Very good roads. A must ride.. Beautiful country! Will be doing it again. - Jimmie C. (4/15/10)
• Leaving Boone, NC the road is like any other US highway. more...
  Once you get to Mountain City, TN the fun begins! From there to Shady Valley, TN is one of the best rides in the south east. Stop at the Country Store in Shady Valley and see what true southern hospitality (and cooking!) is all about. The entire area is a hoot to ride. Don't miss it! - Anonymous (8/11/08)
• Just got back from Boone and rode from Boone, NC to Mountain city, TN. more...
  I was not impressed, mostly sweeping curves that I took at 50-60 MPH. Maybe I didn't go far enough? - Joe Padgett, Johnston, SC (6/9/08)
• This road goes thru Shady Valley where the store caters to bikes & cars that frequent the "Snake", as the road is named. more...
  - Rider from Mountain City, TN (5/8/08)
• Bristol, TN to Blowing Rock, NC. Lots of curves on this one. more...
  Part of the appeal is the area called the SNAKE--411 curves in about 12 miles with a store that makes the best hamburgers and fried bologna sandwiches. Go on a little farther to check out more scenery toward NC. - Rider from Gate City, VA (2/14/08)
• Rode from Lexington, Kentucky to Shady Valley, Tennessee. more...
  Lots of twisties along the way. Left out of Lexington at 2:30pm Friday afternoon. Arrived in Harlan, KY. around 7:00pm. As I was passing by a Holiday Inn Express I seen that it had my name all over it. Stayed the night. Woke up early and left in the fog towards Shady Valley. Arrived at the Highway 421 store around 11:00am. Spoke with a few bikers and relaxed for about an hour. Headed back towards Lexington. When I came to Highway 23 and 421, I headed north on 23. Came back through Wise, VA and then Pikeville, KY, Prestonsburg, KY and back up Mountain Parkway. Arrived back home @ 7:00pm. This was avery nice ride. Once I passed through McKee, the sun was out in full force along with the hot temperatures. Total trip was 544 miles round trip. I recommend this trip to anyone with riding experience. I would have really enjoyed following 421 on over to the coast. I will take this route another time in the near future. - Van Vickers, Lexington, KY (9/9/07)
• Rode this from Deep Gap (where 421 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway) out to Harlan, Kentucky. more...
  The fun part is between Boone and Bristol, Tennessee, through Shady Valley. Miles and miles of twisties and hairpins on both sides of the valley, light traffic (on a Friday) and sensible riders. The store at Shady Valley is very rider-friendly, and Boone is an excellent college/resort town with lots of good food and entertainment. West of Bristol the road is primarily sweepers, which gives you a chance to kick back and enjoy the scenery, and drop by the Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia. All in all, one of the best rides east of the Mississippi. Do it (at least) once if you're anywhere in the region. - Rider from Durham, NC (6/25/07)
• Somewhere around 3-400 curves in 11 miles. more...
  Really not a good place for beginner riders. A lot of full suit riders ride this road. 4 strong switchbacks on this ride. Not recommended for Harley riders unless you want to drag some chrome. Take 421 west from North Carolina and don't get off. It will take you straight into Tennessee. - Jimmy Walker
• 489 curves in a twelve mile radius of country store. Very biker friendly. more...
  - Carroll Long