Discover the Snake on US 421

Some motorcycle roads are famous worldwide, known by evocative names like the Tail of the Dragon or Moonshiner 28. Others are humbler, going simply by their designation—but they’re still a hoot to ride.

US 421 is one of the latter. And there’s a snake in the middle of it.

Specifically, I’m talking about the section of US 421 between Richmond, KY, and Boone, NC. It draws a squiggly line on the map, stretching for some 270 miles through the rural Kentucky-Tennessee-North Carolina border region.

This ride is a relaxed, no-rush affair past peaceful farms, wooded hills, lakes, and small rivers. For the most part, the curves aren’t overtly technical, but there are plenty of them. There are admittedly some straighter parts, but they’re very scenic.

However, there is one section of the road where the going gets twisty enough to have earned a special nickname. The Tennessee section of US 421 between Bristol and Mountain City is known as the Snake.

The Snake packs nearly 500 curves and three mountains into 33 miles, slithering past South Holston Lake and up into the tree-covered mountains. Its curves are tight and thrilling, and although you can’t see far from the trees, the greenery in the Cherokee National Forest is gorgeous.

Being a federal highway, US 421 is paved throughout its length and the surface is in good condition. Any motorcycle should be able to ride this road, as there are plenty of gas stations along the way.

That said, some parts of US 421 are very rural, so you should always keep an eye out for wildlife. Additionally, the tree-lined roads can get slippery with wet fallen leaves in the fall. Remember to ride with care.