Riding Tennessee Counties: A Small Sample of the Best Motorcycle Roads in Tennessee

Here is a collection of roads that I have ridden as part of the Harley-Davidson Directors Challenge. The challenge was to ride as many Tennessee Counties as possible.  I have completed all 95 Tennessee Counties throughout the last, spring, summer, and fall. Here is a small sample of the best roads between the Mississippi River and Chattanooga.  These roads are a must to achieve Motorcycle Nirvana in Tennessee.


Tennessee Highway 56 and 85: From Red Boiling Springs to Carthage

Red Boiling Springs is in the heart of the Cumberland Plateau foothills you would be hard pressed to find better motorcycle roads anywhere in the nation.  These winding roads alternate between farmland, hills, and rivers. Strap it on because you are going to feel these corners.  We had just stayed the night in The Armour's Hotel a hotel from days long past.  When Red Boiling Spring was a vacation mecca for Nashville due to the soothing waters of the natural springs. Red Boiling Red Springs had everything; over 22

Hotels, a gambling hall, even a house of ill repute called nickel hill. Hum, I wonder what cost a nickel?   The hotel had incredible rooms and common areas.   We leave Red Boiling Springs on Highway 56 headed towards Gainesboro.  After crossing the Cumberland River we jump on Highway 85 and head to Carthage.   We eventually make it back to Clarksville, after a great ride through the heartland of Tennessee.


US Highway 64:  From Bolivar to Pulaski

Another ride in West Tennessee.  This is civil war country with the Battle of Shiloh happening close by.  We start out in Bolivar after a night in Magnolia Manner.  A Bed and Breakfast where Grant and Sherman actually planned the battle of Shiloh.  If you are into history you need to stay here.  It was interesting hearing the owner Tom Cox tell stories about the house.  This ride was all on Highway 64 through some of the best country west Tennessee has to offer.   We make it to Adamsville in no time, the famous home of Buford Pusser, giving us the famed Walking Talk story.   It is a short ride after that to Pulaski and the turn northward towards Clarksville for the completion of another great ride through the State of Tennessee.


Tennessee Highway 82 and 50:  From Shelbyville to Fayetteville via Lynchburg

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail we leave Shelbyville in the heart of lower middle Tennessee on Highway 82 this road dives south into the foothills of the Cumberland Plateau.  The rolling hills and shaded roadways deliver a great riding experience.   Well, you know Lynchburg world famous for Jack Daniels Whiskey.  I have been here many of time, and the downtown has completed it's tourist catering transformation.   The downtown is within walking distance of the distillery and if you haven't you should take the tour.   We have lunch at the Iron Kettle a great cafe on the town square. Then we are off to Fayetteville a great little town on the Alabama Boarder across from Huntsville, Alabama.


Alternate US Highway 41 and Interstate 24: From Winchester to Jasper  


We head out of Winchester to climb the Plataea on US Highway 41.  We ride a series of switchback road to a climb on to the elevated plain that runs through middle and eastern Tennessee.  The Plateau contains the soul of Tennessee locked into a different time it has really yet to be discovered.   It has some of the best motorcycle roads in the state.  Once on the Plateau, we reach Monteagle.  Normally I don't like riding on the interstate, but the stretch of I 24 between Monteagle and the Jasper exit is breathtaking.  Here the interstate cuts through the Plateau that descends down its eastern slope into the Sequatchie River Valley. There are some great views of the valley below.  Once off the interstate, we make the short ride on Tennessee 28 to Jasper.

US Highway 127 From Dunlap to Chattanooga 

I have ridden this road to Chattanooga from Dunlap many times, and it never disappoints.  When you leave Dunlap on US Highway 127, you climb up and over Signal Mountain.   The winding road up the mountain gives you spectacular views of the Sequatchie Valley below. it is about a 15-minute ride to the town of Signal Mountain.  After passing through the town, you descend into the Tennessee River valley near North Chattanooga.  You will pass the famous Flying Saucer House that was recently sold at auction.  The views from this road are fabulous.  I love Chattanooga it is a great place with so much to do and see.

Tennessee Highway 27, 108 and 56: From Chattanooga to McMinnville

Heading home to Clarksville we decide to take a new road that cuts a different path through the Cumberland Plateau.   Highway 27 runs along the north bank of the Tennessee River then makes a climb up Signal Mountain at what the locals call Suck Creek a local swim hole.  We then drop into the Sequatchie Valley.  There we join 108 for the climb up Plateau on the way to Altamont the county seat of Grundy County.   This is near the  South Cumberland State Park  which has some of the best scenic beauty in the state of Tennessee.  At Altamont we catch Tennessee Highway 56, passing through Beersheba Springs near the Savage Gulf Natural Area it is an incredible descent off of the Plateau into the Collins River Valley.   The road is incredible all the way to McMinnville, a river valley surrounded the Plateau bluffs.   This is a great route through plateau country.

These are some of the greatest roads in Tennessee, but there are many more.  So get out there and ride them.  You won't be sorry.