Back of the Dragon, VA-16

Driving

by Plot Along: Appalachia

Thirty-two miles of Virginia Route 16 between Marion and Tazewell, crossing three mountains (Walker, Brushy, and Clinch) with around 438 curves and roughly 3,500 feet of elevation change. Locals and the state have leaned all the way into the nickname, with official "Back of the Dragon" signage, a logo, and a store that markets the road to the same motorcycle and sports-car crowd that runs the Tail of the Dragon two hundred miles southwest.

It gets better as you head north. The southern miles roll through farmland past Hungry Mother State Park, then the road stacks up the ridges in tight, blind, banked switchbacks over each summit. The climb over Clinch Mountain saves the steepest, most relentless curves for last.

Open year-round. The high crossings can ice in winter, and on summer weekends you'll share the road with sportbikes. The southern end at Marion sits right off Interstate 81.

Learn more: backofthedragon.com

Marion
The southern terminus, a Smyth County town just off I-81 where VA-16 starts north up Main Street. The run gathers at the Hardee's lot at North Main and East Lee streets, an easy place to meet and fuel up before the climb. The official Back of the Dragon store is in town as well.
Hungry Mother Lake Overlook
An overlook of the lake at Hungry Mother State Park, a few miles north of Marion where VA-16 passes the park entrance. The last gentle stretch before the road starts stacking up the ridges.
Walker Mountain Crossing
An overlook near the top of the first mountain crossing, looking back south over the valley. From here the road tightens into the banked switchbacks the route is known for.
Clinch Mountain Crossing
The high crossing of Clinch Mountain near the north end. This is the steepest, most relentless set of switchbacks on the route, climbing and dropping the ridge in tight succession.
Tazewell
The northern terminus in Tazewell County, where VA-16 comes off Clinch Mountain and meets US-19 / Main Street. The turnaround point for an out-and-back run of the Back of the Dragon.

Marion

Hungry Mother Lake Overlook

Walker Mountain Crossing

Clinch Mountain Crossing

Tazewell