Free AI Website SoftwareBe sure to download and read the GPS User Guide to correctly set your GPS to use these routes.
For individual routes:
Click on the MAP link of each route to see a complete map
Click on the GPX link of each route to download the GPS route file
Click on the PDF link of each route to view/download the PDF printable route file
If you want to use your phone as a GPS, download the OsmAnd+ app and follow the tutorial HERE
(Do not use ZIP versions if there are last minute route changes- individual route files will be most up-to-date)
Note: To download ZIP files, right-click or control-click the links. Otherwise you may get a 404 error.
All Routes GPX format
Each route has TWO GPX file versions-
1. A "Standard" version with Way and Via points for Garmin zumo 660, 450, 550 and earlier models, other GPS brands.
2. A "Trip Planner" version designated by a "TP" suffix at the end of the file name. This version uses mostly shaping points for compatibility with Garmin zumo XT, 390 series, 590 series, as well as BMW Nav5 and Nav6. Be sure to use the TP version if you have one of these models or any Garmin GPS that uses the Trip Planner App on the device to access routes. "TP" versions usually work best with TomTOM and phone apps as well.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY, TECHNICAL
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 207 miles
Lunch Stop: Mattie's Place, Burkes Garden, Virginia
Direction from Sparta: N COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: The route starts out East from Sparta for a few miles onto some beautiful technical county roads before taking you back to US21 where you go North to Speedwell and on to Burkes Garden. Along the morning leg of the route you'll pick up US52 to Big Walker Lookout where you can enjoy beautiful valley views and climb the old fire tower. After crossing the Appalachian Trail, you head West on route 614, a beautiful twisty technical ride to route 61 and Burkes Garden road, another twisty delight.
In Burkes Garden, this year's lunch stop is at Mattie's Place where you can order all kinds of sandwiches on fresh homemade breads. (The sourdough is wonderful) Note: Mattie's Place is CASH ONLY
After lunch you can do a loop around Burkes garden to see nice Amish farms and rural life.
After Burkes Garden, the route heads West through Tazewell for a run down BF Buchanan highway route 16 to Sugar Grove where you pick up Flat Ridge road for many miles of technical fun. Near Mouth of Wilson you pick up route 93 and follow back to Sparta
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 193 miles
Lunch Stop: Janes Country Café is located in Meadows of Dan just a quarter mile off track.
Direction from Sparta: NE, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This route follows Rt 18 (lots of nice sweepers and some twisties from Sparta into VA.)
Directions to Janes Cafe: In Meadows of Dan you will get to the intersection of Squirrel Spur Rd (Rt. 614) and U.S. Hwy 58 (this is also Blue Ridge Parkway Meadows of Dan entrance) GPS has you taking LEFT onto U.S. Hwy 58. Instead, take RIGHT on U.S. Hwy 58 and go quarter mile to Jane’s Country Café on your RIGHT.
After lunch you head North through VA following and crossing the Little River. As you transition West and then begin heading North back to Sparta you follow the New River with lots of small bridge crossings. Before arriving back to Sparta you will pass through Independence VA. If you’re up for some good homemade ice cream, stop at The Frosty Monkey on E. Main Street!
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 242 miles
Lunch Stop: The Pharm House, Floyd, VA
Direction from Sparta: NE, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: : The Pharm House. A small hidden gem of a restaurant located within the pharmacy on Main Street in Floyd, VA. Great fresh food made to order. There are lots of other options for lunch in Floyd. Ride up and down Main Street and you’re sure to find something you like. Some local favorites include the Café at Floyd Country Store, Blue Ridge Diner, and Bootleg BBQ.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 219 miles
Lunch Stop: Choice of several places in Abingdon VA
Direction from Sparta: NW COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: Jim Wagner created this route that took you to one of his favorite small-town restaurants. Unfortunately, this restaurant (Harvest Table Restaurant on map) is no longer in business but this route is worth taking anyway. Lots of twisty backroads in this one. You will ride through Independence VA and follow RT 21 through Speedwell VA and then along Cripple Creek as you cross I-81 heading north. You then head west along the Blue Grass Trail which includes plenty of twisties. Within a few miles of Meadow View VA where Harvest Table Restaurant was, you will head west on Rt 11 into Abingdon VA. Abingdon is a quaint town just off I-81 with multiple places to choose from for lunch. After lunch enjoy some excellent riding as you cross Holston Lake and return to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 297 miles
Lunch Stop:
Direction from Sparta: SW, CLOCKWISE
Comments: Due to BRP closure South of Sparta that extends past Boone NC, I recommend skipping this route in 2024. This section of BRP is scheduled to re-open in 2025 so I will revise after the BRP section re-opens.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 256 miles
Lunch Stop: Southern Ridge Café
Direction from Sparta: SW, CLOCKWISE
Comments: This is an all-day ride that starts by taking you down the mountain on Rt 16 (stop at the scenic overview) before heading SW through the Yadkin Valley. After several miles of scenic riding through the valley you will head back into the mountains and encounter great curves before hitting the real twisties on Rt 226A (The Diamondback) as you climb to Little Switzerland. Be sure to stop at the Switzerland General Store at the top of the Diamondback! From Little Switzerland, you head North to Bakersville for lunch at Southern Ridge Café. (At the intersection of 226 and 261 in Bakersville take a right and then first left onto N. Mitchell Ave and you will see Southern Ridge Café on your left). After lunch, the route takes you through some quaint towns including Roan Mountain, Banner Elk, and Boone before returning to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 264 miles
Lunch Stop: Bonnie & Clyde’s Drive Inn (Rt. 226 A & Rt 80 in Bakersville)
Direction from Sparta: SW, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: NOTE: Due to Temporary BRP closure, please see instructions below to avoid BRP access point during last portion of this route.
This route leaves Sparta on Hwy 88 which has lots of fun curves. It passes through Jefferson and W. Jefferson. If you have never been to W. Jefferson, it’s worth hopping off the Route and checking out the downtown area! Tons of cool shops and restaurants. From Jefferson the route crosses from N.C. into TN. You will pass through Mountain City TN and then Shady Valley TN (Be sure to check out the Shady Valley Country Store- they have good food if you’re looking for an early lunch). From Shady Valley you will head back into NC and into the small town of Bakersville where Bonnie and Clyde’s (corner of 226A & Rt 80) the designated lunch stop is located. From there, you will ride to Roan Mountain and then Rt 421 through Banner Elk and Boone. NOTE: Just past Deep Gap on 421you will see sign to get on the Blue Ride Parkway North Access Point. Your GPS Route will try to take you this way but BRP is temporarily closed. Instead, take Rt 221 N towards Jefferson and follow 221 N. back to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 242 miles
Lunch Stop: Louise’s Rock House Restaurant (Corner of 221 & 183 in Linville Falls, NC)
Direction from Sparta: SW, CLOCKWISE
Comments: This route leaves Sparta on Rt 21 to 221 and travels past Jefferson and West Jefferson. If you have never been to W. Jefferson, it’s worth hopping off the Route and checking out the downtown area! Tons of cool shops and restaurants. After getting through Boone NC you hit some excellent twisties as you approach Roan Mountain. The curves continue all the way to Linville NC, the home of the designated lunch stop at the famous Louise’s Rock House Restaurant (Corner of 221 & 183). From there you head east along the mountain range through Yadkin Valley and across the Yadkin River until you hit Rt 18 and enjoy the twisties back up the mountain to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 207 miles
Lunch Stop: Macado’s Restaurant (142 E. Main Street Marion VA)
Direction from Sparta: SW, CLOCKWISE
Comments: This route leaves Sparta and takes you through Independence VA and on to Rural Retreat VA. (If you like good homemade ice cream stop at the Crossroads Creamery on your left as you come into Rural Retreat). From Rural Retreat you will cross I-81 and travel North and then west into Tazewell VA. Be sure to stop at the Back of the Dragon HQ in Tazewell for a snack) From Tazewell you pick up the famous Back of the Dragon (Rt 16) to Marion VA. Marion is the location of the designated lunch stop at Macado’s Restaurant, where you can get an awesome deli sandwich. There are also many other eateries in Marion. After lunch enjoy the approximately 1.5-hour ride back to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 154 miles
Lunch Stop: Jane’s Country Kitchen (2588 Jeb Stuart Hwy, Meadows of Dan)
Direction from Sparta: NE, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This route leaves Sparta and takes you down the mountain to Mt. Airy NC (A.K.A. Mayberry and Andy Griffith’s birthplace). As you descend into Mt. Airy there is a hidden gem of an ice cream shop right along Rt 89 called Scoops Ice Cream and Such (5091 W. Pine Street Mt. Airy). It’s an old bus that has been converted with outdoor seating. It’s easy to miss so if you plan to stop, put the address in your phone/GPS before heading down mountain. From Mt. Airy you will climb the mountain to the Village of Meadows of Dan, the designated lunch location for this route. Jane’s is a small no-frills restaurant patronized by the locals. From there, this route travels NW over three mountain ranges and then south to Independence VA. If you didn’t stop in Meadows of Dan, Independence has several good eateries,
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 224 miles
Lunch Stop: Paigel’s Restaurant (403 U.S. Hwy 321, Hampton TN)
Direction from Sparta: W, SW, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This route navigates NC, VA, and TN. It leaves Sparta and takes you through the Grayson Highlands in VA. As you leave the Grayson Highlands, you climb the mountain range that leads you into Damascus VA, home of the VA Creeper Trail. The road leading into Damascus is twisty to say the least (plenty of 15 mph curves). If you have never been to Damascus VA, it’s worth a stop. If you leave the hotel late and find yourself in Damascus and hungry, the Damascus Diner (103 S. Shady Ave) is great. Also good ice cream at Main Street Coffee and Ice Cream). From Damascus you travel a short distance to Shady Valley and then ride the sweepers along Watauga Lake before stopping for lunch at Paigel’s in Hampton TN. After lunch it’s on to Roan Mountain then back east through Boone NC and back to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: TWISTY
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE
Distance: 250 miles
Lunch Stop: D.J.’s Drive Inn (701 E. Main Street Floyd)
Direction from Sparta: NE, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This route leaves Sparta and takes you down the mountain to Mt. Airy NC (A.K.A. Mayberry and Andy Griffith’s birthplace). As you descend into Mt. Airy there is a hidden gem of an ice cream shop right along Rt 89 called Scoops Ice Cream and Such (5091 W. Pine Street Mt. Airy). It’s an old bus that has been converted with outdoor seating. It’s easy to miss so if you plan to stop, put the address in your phone/GPS before heading down mountain. From Mt. Airy you will climb the mountain to the Village of Meadows of Dan and then onward to Floyd VA, the designated lunch stop for this route. The lunch stop is D.J.’s Drive In, which has been serving Floyd for 70 years and has outdoor seating. Floyd has plenty of other options as well. After lunch, the route heads north and zigzags north and west across the mountains until finally heading back south along the New River and back to Sparta. This is a long ride!
MAP GPX
RouteType: ADVENTURE
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE, TRACKS ONLY
Distance: 233 miles
Lunch Stop: Because rider pace will vary considerably when traveling off-road, there is not a designated lunch stop on Dual Sport (DS) rides. There will be places to eat along the trip but Lou recommends packing food and water.
Direction from Sparta: N,CLOCKWISE
Comments: This is a big-bike friendly ride that combines asphalt, gravel, and dirt. You will enjoy great sections of Mt. Rogers National Recreation area and Jefferson National Forest.
MAP GPX
RouteType: ADVENTURE
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE, TRACKS ONLY
Distance: 158 miles
Lunch Stop: Because rider pace will vary considerably when traveling off-road, there is not a designated lunch stop on Dual Sport (DS) rides. There will be places to eat along the trip but Lou recommends packing food and water.
Direction from Sparta: NW COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This is a big-bike friendly ride that combines asphalt, gravel, and dirt. 15 A ends at the intersection of Farmer’s Store Rd and Whenlin Ridge Rd. (see waypoint). After completing 15 A you have the choice of either 15 B which takes you back to Sparta (56 miles) OR 15 C which is a 9-mile-long optional track that is more technical and re-connects with 15 B. “Navigation difficulty” is very subjective so take a look at 15 C and decide if you want to take it. You can always turn around as it’s a short option. If you pick up 15 B where 15 A ends, it is about 56 miles back to Sparta.
MAP GPX
RouteType: ADVENTURE
Navigation difficulty: AVERAGE, TRACKS ONLY
Distance: 173 miles
Lunch Stop: Because rider pace will vary considerably when traveling off-road, there is not a designated lunch stop on Dual Sport (DS) rides. There will be places to eat along the trip but Lou recommends packing food and water.
Direction from Sparta: N, NW COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: This is a big-bike friendly ride that combines asphalt, gravel, and dirt. You will enjoy great sections of Mt. Rogers National Recreation area and Jefferson National Forest.
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