Appalachian Backroads

07/23/2025

Have you been to the Gargoyle? It's 92 miles of motorcycle riding fun through classic small towns like Honaker, Haysi, Richlands and Cedar Bluff. Save some room on your memory card to capture the views atop the Cedar Bluff Overlook, which provides a stunning perspective any time of year! Virginia Route 80 is a designated Virginia Scenic Byway so allow time to stop and take in all the beauty only found in our neck of the woods in the Heart of Appalachia along the Appalachian Backroads!

07/18/2025

Have you tamed the Back of the Dragon yet?! Welcome to 32 miles and 438 winding curves making up the most exciting and technical road you will ever ride – The Back of the Dragon! Riders will find unmatched beauty and riding enjoyment on Virginia's Route 16, the two-lane ribbon of road which travels over three mountain ranges between Marion and Tazewell, VA. Take this ride and earn your place amongst the "Dragon Masters" and those who aspire to be. Check it out. Find maps and more at appalachianbackroads.com.

07/16/2025

Don't forget!!! VetFest SWVA is coming up and among other things will feature a Poker Run benefitting Stop Soldier Su***de. See the flyer for details, but make your plans to take part in this fun July 19 event in Russell County and plan your trip to ride the Appalachian Backroads miles while you're here! Visit appalachianbackroads.com or heartofappalachia.com for info on places to stay and eat, as well as other things to see and do while in the region!

07/11/2025

Looking for a new route to ride? Cumberland to Appalachia crosses Black Mountain at the highest point in Kentucky and is aptly named the Coalfield Black Snake run. Black Snakes are in abundance in this coal region and you're likely to catch a glimpse or two of snakes, sunbathing on the road during the summer months. The route, which starts in Lee County, VA in Pennington Gap and also travels through parts of Wise County, VA, covers approximately 129 miles and travels into Kentucky before re-entering Virginia. Check out heartofappalachia.com for places to stay and dine along the route, as well as for other attractions to visit while you're here! You can download maps at appalachianbackroads.com!

07/09/2025

Ride for a cause! VetFest SWVA is coming up and among other things will feature a Poker Run benefitting Stop Soldier Su***de. See the flyer for details, but make your plans to take part in this fun July 19 event in Russell County and plan your trip to ride the Appalachian Backroads miles while you're here! Visit appalachianbackroads.com or heartofappalachia.com for info on places to stay and eat, as well as other things to see and do while in the region!

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July from all of us here at Appalachian Backroads. Be safe out there if you're riding today and enjoy spending time with family and friends as you celebrate!

07/02/2025

Make your plans now! Enjoy the 14 motorcycle and sportscar routes and more than 1,500 miles of hairpin curves you'll find on our Appalachian Backroads. While in the region, you will find ample “chain hotels” and many private smaller hotel/motel options, as well as Airbnb options. It's all up to you, but here's a sample itinerary for a three-day play and stay here in the Heart of Appalachia! You can find maps on appalachianbackroads.com and more info on heartofappalachia.com.
Try this:
Day 1 -- Ride the Back of the Dragon! Stop at the Back of the Dragon Visitor Center on Mainstreet in Tazewell’s, have some food and beverage and check in at one of Tazewell’s great lodging options, many in town. Check out the 1800s village at the “Historic Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park” and stroll around the beautiful Main Street shops. Have dinner locally and take in the sunset at Cavits Creek Reservoir!
Day 2 -- Rise and Shine, have a bite to eat in town and depart Tazewell on Rt19/460 enroute for another ABR route, “Road Runner.” Make your reservation to stay in St. Paul, VA at the only hotel “The Western Front.” This route has plenty of countryside, former coal town communities and great curves. You may choose to ride it all, or a portion. Check in at the Western Front, eat in St. Paul, take a walk around Oxbow Lake. Enjoy the fire pit out back at the Western Front an LIVE music is often outback, or down the road in Coeburn.
Day 3 -- Rise and Shine, walk up the street to the Coffee Station and consider a change of pace and scenery! Rent one of the side-by-side ATVs at the Western front and take a ride in the mountains in the ATV friendly town. Other fun if you want to relax a bit, take a leisurely float down the Clinch. Option 2 for this day is a ride on the ABR's “Daniel Boone” trail, it’s a short ride and another great one!

06/26/2025

Sharing this info from our friends planning the Squatch Hunt Rally & Scavenger Hunt June 28! It's a part of VetFest SWVA once again in 2025. You can learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AoU2fyc1b/ and it's happening right here in the Heart of Appalachia! Make your plans now to be here and add a few days in to your trip to stay and play with us!

06/25/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/18wUwgw4M7/?mibextid=WC7FNe

A one-of-a-kind experience

06/20/2025

There's lots to see and do when you choose to explore our Appalachian Backroads! Did your know there are 30 points of interest, nearly 90 restaurants and more than 50 lodging choices along our back roads and routes? There's also plenty to do when you're not riding the roads! Request a copy of our ABR brochure and/or Heart of Appalachia guide at www.appalachianbackroads.com or heartofappalachia.com to learn more. We hope to see you soon!

06/19/2025

We're in Lebanon, TN this week talking to fellow motorcycle enthusiasts at the Rhythm & Rides Reunion at the International BMW Motorcycle Rally and getting the word out about Appalachian Backroads and the Heart of Appalachia -- what we call the Best of Virginia's West! Looking forward to meeting more attendees in the next couple of days!

06/13/2025

Looking for a weekend ride through the Heart of Appalachia? Check out the Appalachian Backroads and the Corkscrew route! Enjoy a visit to MountainRose Vineyard outside of Wise as you travel along the corkscrew-like curves that also take you to stunning overlooks at the Breaks Interstate Park. Stop and enjoy taking a hike through The Guest River Gorge and see the cliffs of stone carved by the river. There's lots to see and do in our region! You can learn more at heartofappalachia.com and on our appalachianbackroads.com website where you can find lodging, dining options and more! Hope to see you here!