MAP GPX 
RouteType: DESTINATION, TOURING BIKE FRIENDLY, EZ NAVIGATION, SHORT
Navigation difficulty: SIMPLE
Distance: 136 miles
Lunch Stop: None
Direction from STAR HQ: SE, COUNTERCLOCKWISE
Comments: Our shortest loop begins with getting out of town fast on I-140 aka Pellissippi Parkway. After crossing the Tennessee River, exit at Topside Road. Follow the route until you are on US129. Fuel is not available on the parkway so gas up at Fast Lap Market if necessary. This is not the section known as the “Dragon”, but it’s really scenic along the lake. Turn onto the Foothills Parkway and enjoy. It climbs up onto Chilhowee Mountain and runs for 18 miles to Walland. The parkway used to end here, but now continues 14 more miles to Wears Valley and the newer section is superb.

Be sure to stop at the overlooks to see a great view of Townsend and also look at the construction of the road. They basically built viaducts to avoid excavating so much out of the mountain. It’s truly an engineering feat.

Gasoline is available in Wears Valley. The drive through Wears Valley can be heavily trafficked by tourists in the summer months but relief is coming. Turn off at Russie Gap Rd and follow the route to US441/411 to avoid Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. The remainder of the ride back to west Knoxville is less rural but avoids the worst of the urban congestion.