Pigeon Forge to Helen GA route

[Gsykora]

Heading to Pigeon Forge tomorrow for a couple days and then on down to Helen Georgia. Looking at RV trip wizard, it shows taking Hwy 441 south thru the Smokey Mtns. Looks like a lot of twisties in there. Has anyone done this route and if so, is it ok with a 40ft 5th wheel.

[frank4711]

I remember a lot of 7% grade signs and seems like there were some tunnels ... we were in our Honda Odyssey so just up and down the mountain with the Honda

[Gsykora]

My route says to take Hwy 441 from Pigeon Forge down to Cherokee and then take Hwy 23 down to Helen.

[formerFR]

it's perfectly fine for any type or length... and it's the most scenic and beautiful route, so why NOT take it! that's what RVing is all about!

the mountain between Hiawassee, GA and Helen will also be fun... but I won't tell too much yet, and spoil the excitement!

We're in Hayesville, NC... between PF and Helen... a nice long and scenic mountain ride.

[formerFR]

PF thru the smokey mountains to Cherokee, NC
Murphy
Hayesville
Hiawassee, GA
HELEN

don't go by 'GPS'... if it shows any other way... 1' shorter is NOT the better route.

[rlh1957]

US441 was about the only route for main traffic back in the day. Tractor Trailers, campers, cars, trucks all went this way. Twisties, yes but it's been done that way for about three quarters of a century. Not sure about height restrictions these days as there are other state roads now, but all go through the hills and mountains. This ain't flat land in this part of the country. You're on an adventure, enjoy the America the interstates pass by. All of the roads offer towns and scenic routes.

[klippity123]

Stay away from rt 128. Motorcycles only.

[rlh1957]

Originally Posted by formerFR

PF thru the smokey mountains to Cherokee, NC
Murphy
Hayesville
Hiawassee, GA
HELEN

don't go by 'GPS'... if it shows any other way... 1' shorter is NOT the better route.

For sure don't go by GPS and always Use your map to plan and check on type and condition of roadway. Just because it is shorter and more direct doesn't mean it is better or smoother. There are turns up there that aren't meant for machine.
And a GPS will have you on a dead end dirt road and still tell you that is the way to go.
I'll put my map and navigation skills up against any GPS out there.

[rlh1957]

Originally Posted by klippity123

Stay away from rt 128. Motorcycles only.

You mean US129... Tail of the Dragon, Deals Gap... 318 curves in 11 miles.

You can almost pass the tail end of your long rig as you come out of a hairpin curve and enter another.

Believe it or not as a US Highwayback in the day, tractor trailers used it all the time. Still some do it.

[GL1800Rider]

Originally Posted by klippity123

Stay away from rt 128. Motorcycles only.

He may be talking about NC 28 that runs from 74 outside of Bryson City just before the gorge down to 23 that takes you to Helen. Not a good route to take an RV.

[twdenman]

I've driven 441 over Newfound Gap many times. (I have had a commercial drivers license for over 25 years.) Just know this. It's 15 miles, UPHILL from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap (top), with at least a dozen switchbacks, and 15 miles DOWNHILL to Cherokee, NC. Speed limit is 35 mph, most of the way. With ANY traffic, or fog, 20-25 mph. No commercial traffic is permitted on that section of 441. (That alone should tell you something.) Would I take my personal RV over the mountain? NO! I would go east out of Gatlinburg, to I-40, and go around. Most likely it will also be quicker, and less foggy. Do what you want, but just remember don't ride your brakes! Your lower gears alone, won't be enough to hold you back. Please be safe.

[twdenman]

Originally Posted by formerFR

it's perfectly fine for any type or length... and it's the most scenic and beautiful route, so why NOT take it! that's what RVing is all about!

the mountain between Hiawassee, GA and Helen will also be fun... but I won't tell too much yet, and spoil the excitement!

We're in Hayesville, NC... between PF and Helen... a nice long and scenic mountain ride.

Last January I drove from I-75 to Hiawassee, GA. It was very scenic. We stayed at Mountain View CG. Very pretty CG setting. I drove the toad to Helen. Very senic. Would I take a 40' 5th wheel to Helen? Not. The excitement could be damaged RV.

[Gsykora]

Originally Posted by twdenman

Last January I drove from I-75 to Hiawassee, GA. It was very scenic. We stayed at Mountain View CG. Very pretty CG setting. I drove the toad to Helen. Very senic. Would I take a 40' 5th wheel to Helen? Not. The excitement could be damaged RV.

We're actually staying at Yonah RV park outside of Helen (same place as the FROG rally is going to in Sept).

[Strange man]

I grew up in the area. No way I would take a 40 ft camper over 441. Trucks use to do it back when there was much less traffic and trucks were much shorter then.
Take Veterans Parkway (past Dollywood entrance) and take 411 north to I40. I 40 east to Waynesville, NC then US 23/74 south. Guaranteed to save time and white knuckles.

[Gsykora]

Thank you all for the comments on this route. We decided to do some sightseeing today and took the truck over from Pigeon Forge to Cherokee and this also allowed us to check out the route.

Ok, would we have been able to pull a 40ft 5th wheel - probably. Would have been able to stop at all the pulloffs for pictures - no. Would the vehicles behind us been happy with us because we couldn't pull over as many places - you bet. Would we have been more nervous along the route - absolutely.

So in the end, we had an amazing day seeing the beautiful Smoky Mtns, the wife was happy because we were able to stop at even the smallest turnouts and I came back not as stressed as I think I would have been pulling the trailer.

We'll take the more leisurely eastern route on I40 when we pull the trailer.