How long does Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) take to ride?

About 32 miles. At an unhurried pace with stops that is roughly 1 hour of riding, longer if you are stopping for photographs.

Where does Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) start and end?

It runs between Marion, VA and Tazewell, VA. Either end works as a start; the route reads the same in both directions.

Is Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) a twisty road?

We count about 438 corners across 32 miles, which is relentless.

Is there a GPX file for Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion)?

Yes. The GPX is free, there is no account, and the planner will build a route that includes this road alongside others nearby.

Motorcycle Ride Planner · Routes · United States

Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion)

United States · VA-16

32Miles

438Corners

13.7Per mile

9.0/10Difficulty

Virginia's premier technical motorcycle highway crosses three distinct mountain chains—Walker Mountain, Brushy Mountain, and Clinch Mountain—via 438 curves in 32 miles. With virtually no guardrails on narrow outside edges, dramatic 200-foot drop-offs, and switchbacks so steep that second gear is essential, the Back of the Dragon rewards disciplined body position and trail braking. Tazewell anchors the northern terminus with a custom motorcycle welcome center, while Marion provides access to Hungry Mother State Park and the Mount Rogers high country.

Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) runs 32 miles between Marion, VA and Tazewell, VA. We count about 438 corners along it, which is relentless. A hard road that rewards experience and punishes bravado.

Plan a ride on it Download GPX Open in Google Maps 3D view

Tank-bag quick reference

StartMarion, VA36.8437, -81.5146
High2,100 ft - 3,500 ftelevation range
EndTazewell, VA37.1265, -81.5187

T-CLOCS before you go: tyres and wheels, controls and cables, lights and electrics, oil and fluids, chassis and stand.

Repair within reach

24 miWytheville PowersportsWytheville, United States

Straight-line distance from the start of the route, not driving distance.

Somewhere to stop

1 miThe General Francis Marion HotelMarion, VA
20 miBack of the Dragon Welcome Center & Tazewell BreweryTazewell, VA
32 miShady Valley Country Store (The Snake 421)Shady Valley, TN

Questions riders ask

How long does Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) take to ride?: About 32 miles. At an unhurried pace with stops that is roughly 1 hour of riding, longer if you are stopping for photographs.
Where does Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) start and end?: It runs between Marion, VA and Tazewell, VA. Either end works as a start; the route reads the same in both directions.
Is Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion) a twisty road?: We count about 438 corners across 32 miles, which is relentless.
Is there a GPX file for Back of the Dragon (VA-16 Tazewell to Marion)?: Yes. The GPX is free, there is no account, and the planner will build a route that includes this road alongside others nearby.

Where these numbers come from

Distances and corner counts come from the route's own geometry, not from ratings or votes. Nothing here is crowdsourced and nobody paid to appear.