Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 04 The 8th Wonder of the World
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RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 04-06-2025
Route Summary This route of the Southern Dozen "The 8th Wonder of the World" is the 4th part and originally a 33 mile ride from Johnson City Virginia to the Natural Tunnel State Park. The original route is on Interstate 26, The original route is on Interstate 26, we take a different route that has been adjusted to avoid as many Interstates as possible and has been expanded with some beautiful roads.
I rate this route 4 stars because of the beautiful winding roads and interesting sights.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
8h 7m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
226.25 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review This is part 4, dubbed the "8th wonder of the world" by William Jennings Bryan, which will take us to the Natural Tunnel State Park. The natural tunnel is over a million years old and has been attracting visitors for over two centuries. Ride the chairlift to hiking trails, picnic tables, and of course, the incredible tunnel itself.
The ride is officially 41 miles round trip from Johnson City to Natural Tunnel State Park and is mostly on Interstate I-26. To make the ride and the day more interesting, we will take a different route and take some interesting back roads. We will drive through Blackwater back to Johnson City.
The first part of the journey takes us to Natural Tunnel State Park. Here you can see the Natural Tunnel, which was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years and is over 800 feet long and 10 stories high. William Jennings Bryan called it the “eighth wonder of the world.” Other scenic features include a wide gorge between steep rock walls, surrounded by several peaks or “chimneys.” There are campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store, and a gift shop.
After enjoying all the fun rides in the park, we take the Dry Creek Road to Blackwater, this is a beautiful scenic route with many curves through a beautiful landscape. Along the route there are a number of stops possible.
In Duffield, you can visit Fannon's Train Museum, founded by the late Kenny Fannon to preserve railroad history in Southwest Virginia. Today, his grandson, Ruston Fannon, continues the tradition. The collection includes a restored authentic N&W Railroad boxcar, a Blue Diamond Coal Company diesel engine, and an ETW&NC; tender car called the Tweetsie Line. The depot is filled with old photographs, lanterns, whistles, schedules, and all things railroad. You can also plan a lunch break in Duffield.
For a prehistoric adventure, visit the Natural History Museum in Pleasantville, which is the Gray Fossil Site, a place where visitors can explore and learn about an active fossil dig site from the Pliocene Epoch. Scientists believe the site was formed when an underground limestone cave collapsed and created a sinkhole. This created a massive fossil deposit that dates back about 5 million years, revealing saber-toothed tigers, alligators, tapirs, rhinoceroses, short-faced bears and a mastodon, as well as hundreds of plants and other animals.
The ride ends in Johnson City, where you can relax with dinner at Cootie Browns.
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Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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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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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 
15Amount of RX reviews (Virginia )
15722Amount of visitors (Virginia )
317Amount 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.
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
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
• 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