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Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 01 The Snake Ride
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 07-06-2025
Route Summary
The Southern Dozen are twelve scenic routes that start in Johnson City Virginia and travel throughout the region.

Each is an adventure in itself that takes you through winding bends, breathtaking natural landscapes, historical sites, local landmarks and fun attractions.

This is part 1 of the Southern Dozen, this 112 mile round trip featuring “The Snake Ride” with 489 turns, 3 mountains and 1 valley packed into 33 miles.

I rate this route 5 stars because of the beautiful scenery and winding roads through the mountains.

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Verdict
Duration
7h 34m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
183.25 km
Countries
Watauga Lake
RouteXpert Review
The Southern Dozen are twelve scenic routes that start in Johnson City Virginia and take you throughout the region. Each is an adventure in itself that takes you through winding turns, breathtaking natural landscapes, historical landmarks, local attractions, and fun rides.

Whether you fancy exploring Bristol Caves, spotting wolves, visiting historic sites, leaning into some heart-pounding bends or simply enjoying the view, you'll find a ride to suit you.

This route is part 1 of the Southern Dozen and is a 112 mile ride that starts in Johnson City Virginia. It is a mix of beautiful winding roads through the mountains and rolling Virginia countryside. Along the way you will pass through several towns where you can plan a break.

Take “The Snake Ride” through the Tennessee mountains, through Stoney Creek and on into the bucolic Shady Valley, where you can plan a break and pick up some souvenirs at the US-421 Country Store.
It is said that “The Snake Ride” has 489 bends, 3 mountains, 1 valley packed into 33 miles!" The southern portion of the snake is not included in this route. We continue to the extraordinary Backbone Rock, with outcroppings, hiking trails and great photo opportunities. One of these is the Backbone Rock Waterfall, there is a small parking lot on the right side of the road from where you can take a nice photo of the Backbone Rock Tunnel, the shortest tunnel in the country.

Continue to Damascus, home of the Virginia Creeper Trail, where you can plan a lunch break. Through peaceful Mountain City, the drive continues along beautiful Watauga Lake.
We make a brief stop at Carter Mansion, the oldest standing frame house in Tennessee, dating back to the mid to late 1770s and built by John Carter and his son Landon, the Carter Mansion is located about three miles from Sycamore Shoals (our next stop).

The final stop is a visit to the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, which protects land that was the site of several important historical events that took place in the late 18th century. From here it is a 15-minute drive to the end point.


TN-133 Shady Valley
TN34 The Snake
Links
Promotional video of The Snake Ride
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area
Source of The Snake Ride
Bristol Caverns
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Disclaimer
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.

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Virginia
About this region
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are shaped by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, which provide habitat for much of its flora and fauna. The capital of the Commonwealth is Richmond; Virginia Beach is the most-populous city, and Fairfax County is the most-populous political subdivision. The Commonwealth's population in 2020 was over 8.65 million, with 36% of them living in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area.
The area's history begins with several indigenous groups, including the Powhatan. In 1607, the London Company established the Colony of Virginia as the first permanent English colony in the New World. Virginia's state nickname, the Old Dominion, is a reference to this status. Slave labor and land acquired from displaced native tribes fueled the growing plantation economy, but also fueled conflicts both inside and outside the colony. Virginia was one of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolution, becoming part of the United States in 1776. The state was split by the American Civil War in 1861, when Virginia's state government in Richmond joined the Confederacy, but many in the state's western counties remained loyal to the Union, helping form the state of West Virginia in 1863. Although the Commonwealth was under one-party rule for nearly a century following Reconstruction, both major political parties are competitive in modern Virginia.
Virginia's state legislature is the Virginia General Assembly, which was established in July 1619, making it the oldest current law-making body in North America. It is made up of a 40-member Senate and a 100-member House of Delegates. The state government is unique in how it treats cities and counties equally, manages local roads, and prohibits governors from serving consecutive terms. Virginia's economy has many sectors: agriculture in the Shenandoah Valley; high tech and federal agencies, including the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense and Central Intelligence Agency, in Northern Virginia; and military facilities in Hampton Roads, the site of the region's main seaport.
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Statistics
15
Amount of RX reviews (Virginia )
15741
Amount of visitors (Virginia )
317
Amount of downloads (Virginia )
Route Collections in this region
The Original Southern Dozen Motorcycle Rides in Tennessee Virginia and North Carolina
The Southern Dozen; hit the throttle and hold on tight!

There’s no better place to leave the daily grind in the dust than roaring around the curves of the Southern Dozen! Surrounded by some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the country, you’ll find the freedom of exhilaration as you wind through the foothills and mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Western North Carolina.

Whether you’re looking for heart-pumping curves, breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, local gems, or nearby attractions, the Southern Dozen has rides worthy of even the most seasoned road warrior. Explore the Original Southern Dozen and see all that Johnson City and the surrounding region have to offer.

Johnson City is a regional gem where big-city amenities meet small-town Southern charm. Here you’ll have access to everything you could want or need and more! Perfect for the casual rider and those who “live to ride,” Johnson City hosts numerous bike rallies each year. So plan your trip and book one of the many biker-friendly accommodations.


View Route Collection
13 Routes
2720.38 km
111h 13m
A USA Road Trip East from LA
This is a 20 day trip that was 2 Years in the planning. Across 13 US States ticking off bucket list entries along the way.
• Riding up the Pacific Coast Highway and then visiting Yosemite Park in California.
• The extremes of Death Valley and LAs Vegas in Nevada.
• The scenic overload that was Utah, Zion and Bryce National Parks, Monument Valley and the Moki Dugway.
• Colorado and the Million Dollar Highway and San Juan Skyway
• New Mexico and the Rio Grande and the Cimarron Canyon State Park
• To Texas and the wide open spaces and the biggest steak known to man.
• Oklahoma will deliver Route 66 and iconic picture opportunities
• Arkansas offers up the Pig Trail and a chance to ride through The Ozarks.
• Tennessee gives us Memphis and Nashville a musical overload as well as The Jack Daniels Distillery
• Mississippi means you can travel along the Natchez Trace Parkway and just take it easy.
• Georgia and The Carolinas are home to The Blue Ridge Parkway that winds through The Smoky Mountains.
• Virginia brings you the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline drive
See a different horizon around each corner that just seems to beat the previous one for beauty. All the while marvelling at how each few miles the surrounding scenery can be so vastly different.
Ride some of the top roads in America who’s names appear on Top Ten list all over the internet. 3 even appear in the World top 20.
• Pacific Coast Highway
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Tail of the Dragon
• Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument Ride
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Million Dollar Highway
• Cherohala Skyway
• San Juan Mountain Skyway
• Pig Trail Scenic Byway
• Moki Dugway
This trip is about maximising memories to last a lifetime


View Route Collection
20 Routes
8673.89 km
174h 30m
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