Johnson City Roundtrip The Southern Dozen Ride 12 Two Rivers One Mountain and Ten Million Trout Eggs
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert René Plücken (MRA Master)
Last edit: 14-06-2025
Route Summary Route 12 of the Southern Dozen takes you through the Tennessee Mountains, to Rocky Fork State Park and the famous Cherokee National Forest. On the way back you will drive through an infamous area that was once known for its whiskey distilleries and smugglers. You will visit a trout hatchery and other fun things
I rate this ride 5 stars because of the beautiful winding roads, sights, and gorgeous Tennessee scenery.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
7h 14m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
184.05 km
Countries
RouteXpert Review This route is based on the 12th ride, “Two Rivers, One Mountain and Ten Million Trout Eggs” and goes up and back through the Tennessee Mountains, riding along the mountain rivers, visiting a trout hatchery and other cool stuff. Enjoy some of the largest trout hatcheries in the country and explore the charming downtown town of Erin. Then drive deep into the Tennessee mountains and arrive at Rocky Fork State Park, surrounded by the famous Cherokee National Forest.
On the way back to Johnson City, you'll pass through an infamous area once known for its whiskey distilleries and bootleggers. Drive along the Nolichucky River and take a moment to admire the power of this remarkable waterway.
The tour begins in Johnson City and the first stop is the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site. This site features 110 acres, eleven historic buildings, the Tipton/Gifford/Simerly Cemetery, a limestone cave, a natural spring, a buffalo trail, a hiking trail, and a visitor center. The visitor center includes a permanent exhibit, museum store, educational spaces, a library, and archives.
The next stop is in Erwin, where we can visit three interesting sites within walking distance of each other; The National Fish Hatchery, the Clinchfield Railroad Museum, and the Unicoi County Heritage Museum.
The National Fish Hatchery is a trout hatchery that offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into raising fish. Visitors can view the spawning process, wildlife, beehives and gardens at the hatchery. You can also enjoy a relaxing picnic, a stroll on the property or a visit to the Clinchfield Railroad Museum and the Unicoi County Heritage Museum, which are within walking distance.
The Clinchfield Railroad Museum tells the story of Erwin's rich railroad legacy. There are many unique artifacts and rare memorabilia from the days when Clinchfield was known as the "Gateway to the South." A link to the Appalachian Basins and a vital connection to cities throughout the South, the Clinchfield was the most expensive railroad to build at the time.
Housed in an early 1900s home originally built for the superintendent of the National Fish Hatchery in Erwin, the Unicoi County Heritage Museum showcases the history of the county in unique themed rooms: Parlor, Blue Ridge Pottery Room, Butler's Pantry, Community Room, Wildlife Room, Kitchen, Main Street, Clinchfield Railroad Room, Daughters of the American Revolution Room, History and War Rooms, Attic, Country Store, Greasy Cove Schoolhouse, and Amphitheater.
Enjoy the scenic drive along winding river roads through the Unuka area with its green mountains. Drive up to Unaka Mountain Beauty Spot and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from one of the highest peaks in the Southern Appalachians. The peaks at Beauty Spot are covered in beautiful green grasses, surrounded by rhododendrons and other native mountain plants. Hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail from the scenic lookout at Beauty Spot.
Enjoy the drive through Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, a 5,500-acre state park in Unicoi County in eastern Tennessee. Located in the Blue Ridge region of the Appalachian Mountains, near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line, stop to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You can also take a hike here.
Visit the Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute (NOLI), located on the banks of the beautiful Nolichucky River in the mountains of Northeast Tennessee. NOLI is the region’s leading outdoor school, offering courses and instruction for all levels in a variety of disciplines including kayaking, canoeing, water safety and rescue, wilderness medicine, survival, navigation, camping, backpacking, conservation, and more. They also offer special events such as team building, adventure camps, and customized group programs.
If you're not into water sports, you can hike the Appalachian Trail. There's something for everyone at the Nolichucky Outdoor Learning Institute!
Plan your lunch stop in Erwin The last part you drive over the Dry Creek road back to Johnson City, another beautiful drive through the mountains.
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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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North Carolina
About this region
North Carolina is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. North Carolina is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the 50 United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and South Carolina to the south, and Tennessee to the west. Raleigh is the state's capital and Charlotte is its largest city. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 2,569,213 in 2018, is the most-populous metropolitan area in North Carolina, the 23rd-most populous in the United States, and the largest banking center in the nation after New York City. The Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state, with an estimated population of 2,079,687 in 2019, and is home to the largest research park in the United States, Research Triangle Park.
Earliest discoveries of human occupation in North Carolina date back to 10,000 years ago, found at the Hardaway Site. North Carolina was inhabited by Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan speaking tribes of Native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans. North Carolina was established as a royal colony in 1729 and was one of the Thirteen Colonies. North Carolina is named in honor of King Charles I of England who first formed the English colony, Carolus being Latin for "Charles". The Halifax Resolves resolution adopted by North Carolina on April 12, 1776, was the first formal call for independence from Great Britain among the American Colonies during the American Revolution.On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States constitution. In the run-up to the American Civil War, North Carolina declared its secession from the Union on May 20, 1861, becoming the tenth of eleven states to join the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War, the state was restored to the Union on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks. North Carolina uses the slogan "First in Flight" on state license plates to commemorate this achievement, alongside a newer alternative design bearing the slogan "First in Freedom" in reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves.
North Carolina is defined by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From west to east, North Carolina's elevation descends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain. North Carolina's Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 m) is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the western, mountainous part of the state has a subtropical highland climate.
Read more on Wikipedia
Earliest discoveries of human occupation in North Carolina date back to 10,000 years ago, found at the Hardaway Site. North Carolina was inhabited by Carolina Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan speaking tribes of Native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans. North Carolina was established as a royal colony in 1729 and was one of the Thirteen Colonies. North Carolina is named in honor of King Charles I of England who first formed the English colony, Carolus being Latin for "Charles". The Halifax Resolves resolution adopted by North Carolina on April 12, 1776, was the first formal call for independence from Great Britain among the American Colonies during the American Revolution.On November 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States constitution. In the run-up to the American Civil War, North Carolina declared its secession from the Union on May 20, 1861, becoming the tenth of eleven states to join the Confederate States of America. Following the Civil War, the state was restored to the Union on July 4, 1868. On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully piloted the world's first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina's Outer Banks. North Carolina uses the slogan "First in Flight" on state license plates to commemorate this achievement, alongside a newer alternative design bearing the slogan "First in Freedom" in reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration and Halifax Resolves.
North Carolina is defined by a wide range of elevations and landscapes. From west to east, North Carolina's elevation descends from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont and Atlantic coastal plain. North Carolina's Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet (2,037 m) is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi River. Most of the state falls in the humid subtropical climate zone; however, the western, mountainous part of the state has a subtropical highland climate.
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21135Amount of visitors (North Carolina)
686Amount of downloads (North Carolina)
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.
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The 10 most downloaded routes in the USA from RouteXpert Hans van de Ven
Hello and welcome to this collection of the Top 10 MyRoute app downloaded routes in USA.
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
There will be a great new event to be announced soon, where all these routes can be driven.
Download them all now and place them in a new "Top 10" folder, so that you always have them at hand.
If you are going to drive one of these routes in the meantime, track them with the MRA Mobile App or with MRA Navigation. Take some photos (moments) along the way as these will come in handy.
Create a travelogue of your Top 10 driven routes and add the recorded track to it.
There will also be some great prizes on offer, so keep an eye on the MRA-RouteXperts page and your mail.
The 10 routes are:
1. D13 Estes Park Denver
2. D03 Chadron Custer
3. D01 Pigeon Forge round trip through the Smokey Mountains
4. D08 Kalispell Sandpoint
5. D10 Colville Wenatchee
6. D09 Sandpoint Colville
7. D04 Custer Wall
8. D11 Wenatchee Seattle
9. D08 Cody Yellowstone NP
10.R13 San Francisco Monterey
View Route Collection