Burkes Garden Loop / The Claw of the Dragon (VA-61 / VA-623)
A legendary ride into Virginia's highest and oldest agricultural valley, famously known as 'God's Thumbprint.' Enclosed entirely by Garden Mountain, Burkes Garden is an elevated bowl basin accessed only through a narrow mountain gap on VA-623. The road climbs steeply out of Tazewell over mountain gaps with tight 15 mph hairpins, then opens into an idyllic pastoral valley ringed by continuous mountain ridges. Part of the Claw of the Dragon regional touring network.
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Rider-Friendly Lodging
A world-class, purpose-built motorcycle welcome center marking the northern terminus of VA-16 ('Back of the Dragon' - 32 miles and 438 curves over 3 mountain passes). Exudes celebration and triumph as riders gather on the turf courtyard to compare chicken strips and sip craft pints around fire pits.
Tank-Bag Quick Reference Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
How many curves and miles is Burkes Garden Loop / The Claw of the Dragon (VA-61 / VA-623)? ▼
Burkes Garden Loop / The Claw of the Dragon (VA-61 / VA-623) spans 35 miles and packs approximately 175 curves (5.0 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 2,200 ft - 3,340 ft and technical rating 7.5/10.
Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼
The route starts at Tazewell, VA (Latitude 37.1265, Longitude -81.5187) and finishes at Burkes Garden Valley Center, VA (Latitude 37.0984, Longitude -81.3398).
How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼
Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.